IB, British, and International
Ages 2 to 18

Overseas Family School

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CitySingapore
CurriculumsIB, British, and International
Leaving qualificationsIGCSE and IB Diploma
Language of instructionEnglish
Age RangeAges 2 to 18
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Quick summary of key school information

Leaving qualifications IGCSE and IB Diploma
Language of instruction English
Native English teachers
Extra languages (other than English)
Class sizes Average 20 students / class
Maximum 25 students / class
Extracurricular activities
School bus
School's webpage:
Yearly fees: from: SGD $28,400
to: SGD $44,800
Address: 81 Pasir Ris Heights Singapore 519292
Is this school a perfect match for you?

Tell us your preferences and we’ll calculate your compatibility.

  • Based on 10 different criteria including price and location
  • Fees personalised to your childrens’ ages

All the details about this school in their own words

We have organised the information available for this school into 10 sections and 34 questions. Click or tap on the name of each section to read more.

Nationalities

Number of students

2,500

Number of nationalities represented in the school

65

Most common nationality

American, Japanese, Indian, Scandinavian & Israeli

Ratio of local students to international students

Almost 100% international

Languages

Native English speaking teachers

Yes

Language support for students not fluent in English

Yes. As part of its incredible attention to care, OFS has developed an extraordinary Study Preparation Program that is best-in-industry for rapid English language acquisition. Grouped into smaller, dedicated classes according to language proficiency, non-English speaking students are quickly immersed in the English language under the nurturing instruction of highly experienced and qualified specialist educators. This thoughtful attention and dedicated support throughout their learning journey, provided at no additional cost, allows many students to quickly progress and join mainstream classes without losing an academic year.

Additional language classes offered by the school

Danish, Dutch, Finnish, French, German, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Norwegian, Russian, Spanish and Swedish. OFS offers the most extensive and immersive Mother Tongue Program amongst international schools in Singapore, with 14 different languages on offer meeting for 4 sessions per week from pre-Kindergarten 2 to Grade 8. Taught by our passionate team of qualified native speakers, our students can choose to immerse themselves thoroughly in the language and culture of their home country, gaining native-level language proficiency for seamless re-integration. All thoughtfully integrated into the main curriculum at no additional cost for the best student experience. Foreign language programs are also available.

Classroom

Max. number of students per class

Nursey-Pre-Kindergarten: 15-20
Preschool, Primary and Secondary: 25

Average number of students per class

20

Does the school employ teaching assistants?

Yes

Use of technology in the classroom

All 241 classrooms are linked by a campus-wide high-speed computer network with Internet access for all students, and are equipped with overhead projectors and additional resources such as laptops or desktops for student use. The campus has four Technology labs and five Computer labs. In classrooms, teachers are creative and targeted in their use of technology. Teachers do not use technology for technology’s sake, but rather play to the strengths of technology and use it in strategic and targeted ways. For instance, OFS offers an authentic Mathematics/Coding program for the Elementary grades that allows students to use their mathematical knowledge in programming through coding projects that are rigorous and uniquely designed. Through weekly coding lessons, students have the opportunity to learn programming skills that embrace problem solving strategies and strategic thinking.

Teachers and ICT specialists also teach and use a wide range of programs and technology tools in their lessons to enhance the classroom experience and motivate the engagement of students. Students are encouraged to use technology as an alternative platform to make their learning journey explicit; from presentations to computer graphics using the green screen room to music composition.

Is the school ready to use virtual classrooms when needed? (e.g. teaching lessons online if the school is closed, e.g. during COVID-19 closures)

All OFS students have access to a learning portal that allows them to view assignments, upload homework (even language recordings), receive feedback on their assignments, download class resources and join in on online class forums. This allows students to stay organized, keep track of all of their deadlines, and communicate with teachers and classmates easily. In the event of a school closure, all students and teachers are also familiar with the online platforms that will allow them to run their entire timetable remotely. The school is fully prepared to continue with a “virtual school” whereby students would log into a virtual classroom on the hour and follow their normal timetable without disruptions in the event of an emergency.

Academics

External examinations or assessments available

IGCSE, IB Diploma

Results in these examinations

OFS regularly produces Cambridge International "Top-in-the-World" awardees, students who have achieved the highest standard mark in the world for a single subject in the IGCSE examinations. In the demanding IB Diploma examinations, OFS has regularly produced students scoring a perfect 45 points, with extremely high overall pass rates every year. OFS' outstanding IB results are remarkable in light of its inclusive, open-entry admissions and examination policies. Contrary to common practice at a majority of schools in Singapore and worldwide, OFS students are not preselected into the IB Diploma program. OFS believes that every student can succeed and any student who wishes to pursue the IB Diploma program is allowed and encouraged to do so. OFS’ academic results position us as one of the best performing schools locally and internationally, and enable the vast majority of our students to obtain places at their first-choice university.

Do teachers assign homework to their students?

Yes.

Student support

Dedicated staff/programs for students with special learning needs

Yes.

Learning support offered

OFS offers an inclusive mainstream learning environment. The school's rapidly expanding inclusion team, which offers Learning Support, Speech & Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy and social-emotional counselling, meets the needs of a diverse group of learners. Learning support and therapy sessions are delivered within the school day at an agreed time on a push-in or withdrawal basis. Sessions may be on an individual, paired or small-group basis to focus on identified goals. Our experienced specialists are also available for informal consultation, advice and guidance for parents and teachers who benefit from bespoke professional development designed around our school context. This collaborative approach helps to improve outcomes for all students, not just those with Additional Support Needs (ASN).

The learning support department assists students that cognitively have the ability to access the education taking place, but who need adjustments to support them in reaching their full potential. This may entail accommodation such as allowing students with writing difficulties to use laptops for examinations, or differentiation such as arranging additional support sessions for students who may need it. Learning support specialists and therapists also provide professional development for teachers and advice and guidance to parents, helping them to modify lessons and teaching methods in ways that best meet students’ learning styles and removing environmental and physical barriers to learning.

The school supports gifted, able and talented students

The Academic Advisors in the High School run a Prestigious University Program (PUP) where students wishing to apply to the highest ranked universities get additional support and guidance from as early as Grade 8 to support and prepare them for such applications.

Admissions

Entry evaluation for students

There are no entry tests and/or examinations. Students seeking to enroll will be evaluated for suitability based on their past academic reports.

Waiting list

Overseas Family School offers an open entry admission policy and has no entrance examinations for school enrollment.

Deadline for registration (new academic year)

Admissions are open year round, with the tuition fees pro-rated.

Students can join after academic year begins

Yes.

School day

School start time

9:00

School finish time

15:30

School bus service available

Yes.

School provided lunches

Yes

Uniform required

Preschool, Elementary and Middle School Students are required to wear uniforms. In High School, Grade 11 & 12 students are allowed to wear their own clothes.

Extracurricular activities

Extracurricular activities or clubs offered

In line with its strong emphasis on holistic education and personal development, OFS offers a wide array of extracurricular activities (ECAs), ranging from after-school and competitive sports programs to performing arts and computer clubs. Providing a rich foundation for lifelong learning, these ECAs are open to all students and provide opportunities to join clubs, teams or leadership groups. A well-developed, optional after-school enrichment program is also available, offering students the opportunity to discover new interests and hone new skills.

Sports activities included

Our extensive Competitive Sports Program includes sports such as swimming, gymnastics, basketball, volleyball, badminton, cricket, netball, rugby, football, softball, tennis, and track & field.

Sports teams or sport competitions available for students

There are multiple pathways for students looking to take part in sports & fitness at OFS. At the competitive level, the OFS Tigers competitive sports teams typically train twice a week or more within the ACSIS season for the particular sport and age group. Students are selected for these competitive sports teams through preseason trials and are expected to make the commitment to season's fixtures as well as purchasing the required equipment and uniform. At the recreational level, OFS provides an after-school sports program and enrichment programs that allow students to hone skills and participate in intra-school competitions.

Facilities

Facilities at the school

Overseas Family School’s beautiful modern campus reflects its strong mission to support the holistic education and personal development of its students. Its spacious auditorium and Black Box Theatre feature state-of-the-art multimedia facilities, and regularly showcase the amazing performing arts talent on offer at OFS. Purpose-built learning spaces, from Science, Computer and Design & Technology labs to art and dance studios, also accommodate a wide array of academic and extra-curricular activities and interests. Every school has its own library.

Sports facilities at the school

Both recreational and competitive sports programs are easily accommodated by the school’s exceptional sports facilities, ranging from football and rugby fields and basketball courts to its Olympic-standard, all-weather covered swimming pool fully equipped with Omega Timing System, Omega Touch Pads, and Anti-Wave Starting Blocks for high performance training.

About the school

Qualities and characteristics best defining the school

Overseas Family School serves a vibrant, multicultural community and is committed to creating an inclusive and supportive learning environment where all students can dream, achieve and succeed. Its devotion to student care can be seen from the fact that the school offers its extraordinary Study Preparation Program for rapid English language acquisition and its highly immersive and extensive Mother Tongue Program at no additional cost and has thoughtfully integrated these programs into the main curriculum for the best student experience. In line with its focus on values and character development, OFS has also embedded Model United Nations (MUN) into its entire curriculum across Elementary, Middle and High School. As students research and debate global issues from the perspective of countries other than their own, they develop the ability to consider issues from the perspective of others.

Teaching approach of the school

When OFS opened its doors thirty years ago, its forward-thinking founders sought to create an inclusive international school that welcomed students of all nationalities, cultures, strengths and talents. Their mission was to build a respectful, nurturing environment that not only put the child’s sense of happiness and joy first, but also guided students towards self-discipline, resilience and independence. From the start, in keeping with this mission and ethos, OFS was determined not to label and pigeon-hole children at an early age into a pre-set future as was and is done at many other schools. Diverse experiences and perspectives are valued and are seen to enrich the school community. This inclusive philosophy forms the strong bedrock of the school’s community and curriculum to this day. Students learn and grow in a dynamic, diversity rich environment promoting personal initiative, intellectual curiosity and respect for different perspectives. OFS prides itself on being an open entry school. Students and parents are welcome to select the courses best suited to them. Our policy is that parents are the senior partner in these decisions and we will offer full support and guidance during the process. Unlike other schools, OFS encourages students to select the most challenging courses and qualifications possible. We do not preselect or restrict students from programs, and no student is denied opportunities for academic and personal growth.

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