NPS International School vs St Francis Methodist School
NPS International School and St Francis Methodist School are both in Singapore, about 12 km apart. Both schools offer IB, Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge (Secondary) and Cambridge IGCSE programmes. NPS International School also offers Indian, and St Francis Methodist School also offers Australian and Christian. Published annual fees are close, at SGD 16,200 - 32,100 for NPS International School and SGD 16,350 - 32,863 for St Francis Methodist School. NPS International School takes pupils from 3 to 18, and St Francis Methodist School from 6 to 19. NPS International School is the larger school, with around 1,500 pupils to St Francis Methodist School's 700. Typical class sizes are 24 at NPS International School and 25 at St Francis Methodist School.
IB (DP), Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE, Indian Curriculum
Curriculum
IB (DP), Australian Curriculum, Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE, Christian Curriculum
Pupils
Pupils
1,500
Pupils
700
Typical class size
Typical class size
24
Typical class size
25
Instruction language
Instruction language
English
Instruction language
English
Opened
Opened
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Opened
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Bus service
Bus service
Yes
Bus service
No
Essentials
Essentials
Location
Location
NPS International School is located at 11 Hillside Drive, Singapore, in a peaceful residential neighborhood in Serangoon. The campus is easily accessible via major roads and is a short distance from Serangoon MRT Station. The surrounding area offers family-friendly amenities, parks, and community facilities.
Location
St Francis Methodist School (SFMS) is situated at 492 Upper Bukit Timah Road. The surrounding area is characterized by lush greenery and peaceful surroundings, offering a conducive environment for learning. The campus is adjacent to Hillview MRT Station, providing convenient access via Singapore's Downtown Line.
Stages
Stages
The school caters to students aged 3–18, structured into Early Years (Kindergarten and Montessori), Primary Years (Grades 1–5), Middle Years (Grades 6–8), and High School (Grades 9–12).
Stages
SFMS has three educational levels; Primary (years 1 to 6), Secondary (years 7 - 10), and Senior High levels (years 11 and 12).
School type
School type
NPS International School is a co-educational day school that does not offer boarding facilities.
School type
SFMS is a co-educational institution and does not provide boarding facilities.
Pupil nationality mix
Pupil nationality mix
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Pupil nationality mix
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Additional learning support
Additional learning support
NPS International School provides targeted support for students with additional learning needs. Trained specialists work closely with classroom teachers to deliver individualized assistance, ensuring that students receive the resources they need to succeed academically and socially.
Additional learning support
SFMS is committed to supporting students with diverse learning needs. The school provides a School Counselling service to assist students' mental health and social-emotional development. The School Counsellor collaborates with teachers, parents, guardians, and external professionals to offer tailored support.
Country affiliation
Country affiliation
NPS International School is affiliated with the National Public Schools (NPS) group, a prominent education institution headquartered in India.
Country affiliation
The school does not have an affiliation with any particular country.
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
NPS International School does not have any religious affiliation. It welcomes students from all backgrounds and promotes an inclusive and culturally diverse environment.
Religious affiliation
SFMS is affiliated with the Methodist Church in Singapore. The school upholds Christian values, integrating character development and spiritual growth into its educational framework.
School day structure
School day structure
The school day at NPS International typically begins around 8:00 AM and ends by 3:00 PM. Students have a lunch break, along with shorter breaks in the morning and afternoon.
School day structure
The school operates from 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM. Breaks and lunch periods are incorporated within this schedule.
Bus service details
Bus service details
NPS International offers a school bus service for students across various parts of Singapore. The buses are operated by Bedok Transport Pte Ltd, ensuring safe and reliable transportation.
Bus service details
The school does not operate a bus service.
Fees
Fees
Fee details
Fee details
Application Fees (one-time, non-refundable) - Nursery to Grade 8: SGD 200 - Grades 9 to 12: SGD 3,600
Tuition Fees (per term and annual; each academic year has 3 terms) - Nursery: SGD 5,730 per term; SGD 17,190 annually - Kindergarten (K1 & K2): SGD 6,730 per term; SGD 20,190 annually - Grades 1–5: SGD 8,975 per term; SGD 26,925 annually - Grades 6–8: SGD 9,700 per term; SGD 29,100 annually - Grades 9–10 (CBSE): SGD 10,000 per term; SGD 30,000 annually - Grades 9–10 (IGCSE): SGD 11,040 per term; SGD 33,120 annually - Grades 11–12 (CBSE): SGD 10,700 per term; SGD 32,100 annually - Grades 11–12 (IB Diploma, new students): - First year: SGD 12,200 per term (includes one-time materials fee of SGD 800); SGD 36,600 annually - Subsequent terms (continuing IB students): SGD 11,400 per term; SGD 34,200 annually
Facility Fee (Annual, per student) - Early Years: SGD 840 - Primary: SGD 1,500 - Secondary: SGD 1,800
Other Fees - Uniform: SGD 30–35 per set (approx.) - School Bus Transport: SGD 150–350 per month (approx.) - Books: Included - Additional external activities or specialist coaching may incur separate charges.
Billing Schedule and Payment Terms - Fees are invoiced per term and must be paid before each term begins: - Fees listed do not include GST, which is additional.
Refund Information - The school does not require a refundable deposit; application fees are non-refundable.
Payment Options - Fees can be paid via bank transfer or credit card.
Sibling Concession - A sibling concession of SGD 150 is available per sibling enrolled.
Boarding - Boarding facilities are not provided by NPS International School.
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) -Total Annual Fee: SGD 34,771.00 Includes additional examination and enrichment programme fees
Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE) -Total Annual Fee: SGD 26,356.20
All fees include 9% GST
Fee Policies Sibling discount: 10% off first-year course fees for the younger sibling Only one discount applicable at a time School fees do not include uniforms or additional textbooks
Diving deeper
Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements
Boarding arrangements
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Boarding arrangements
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Uniform requirement
Uniform requirement
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Uniform requirement
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Food options
Food options
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Food options
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House system
House system
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House system
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Governance and ownership
Governance and ownership
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Governance and ownership
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Academics
Academics
Curriculum details
Curriculum details
Early Years learners (aged 3–6) are guided through a Montessori and play-based approach. Primary students (Grades 1–5) follow the Cambridge Primary curriculum. Middle Years (Grades 6–8) offers both pre-CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education) and pre-IGCSE programmes. High School students (Grades 9–12) have a choice between International qualifications or the Indian Curriculum.. Students in Grades 9 and 10 can pursue the Cambridge IGCSE or the CBSE, while Grades 11 and 12 have the option of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) or the CBSE curriculum.
Curriculum details
St Francis Methodist School (SFMS) offers a diverse curriculum tailored to various educational stages. At the primary level (Years 1–6), students engage in the International Cambridge Primary Programme, focusing on languages, mathematics, science, and global perspectives. In lower secondary (Years 7–8), the Singapore-Cambridge Lower Secondary curriculum builds a strong foundation in languages, mathematics, science, and humanities. Upper secondary students (Years 9–10) can choose between the IGCSE and GCE 'O' Level programmes, both emphasizing proficiency in languages, mathematics, and sciences. Senior High students (Years 11–12) offers the International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme and the Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE), preparing students for global academic pursuits.
Schedule a school tour or attend an Open House If applicable, you can book a spot at one of the school’s open house events to get a first-hand look at the facilities, meet the teaching staff, and learn more about the curriculum. Submit application form After initial contact, complete the online application form and upload all required documents, such as previous school reports, birth certificates, and any standardized test scores. Attend entrance assessment The school may invite the student for a placement test or interview, depending on the grade level and curriculum pathway. These assessments help determine the student’s readiness and placement within the school’s programs. Receive and accept offer Once the assessment and document review are complete, the admissions team will notify you of the outcome. If your child is offered a place, you’ll receive an official letter of acceptance along with instructions for paying enrollment fees and confirming the spot.
Admissions
Attend a school tour or open house: Schedule a visit to SFMS to experience the campus environment firsthand, meet faculty, and gain a better understanding of the school's culture and facilities.
Submit the application: Complete the online application form and upload all required documents.
Schedule the admissions test and interview: After submitting your application, book a date for the admissions test. The test assesses proficiency in English and Mathematics; Science is required for pre-tertiary programmes.
Attend the admissions test and interview: Attend and complete the admissions test on the scheduled date. An interview with school representatives will also be part of the process.
Receive the Letter of Offer: Successful applicants will receive a Letter of Offer, Confirmation of Acceptance, and Course Application Fee Quotation.
Confirm acceptance: Sign and return the Confirmation of Acceptance along with: - Application for Admissions (Form B) - All documents required for Student’s Pass application - Course application fees of S$981 (inclusive of GST)
Complete admission formalities: Upon approval of the Student’s Pass, finalize all admission procedures, including verification of original documents, before the school term begins.
Scholarships
Scholarships
NPS International School does not currently offer scholarships or financial aid. All fees and costs must be covered by families directly, without any additional funding support from the school.
Scholarships
SFMS offers scholarships to recognize and support outstanding students. The SFMS Scholarship is valued between S$2,000 to S$4,000 and is tenable for one year, with the possibility of renewal upon reapplication and evaluation.
Applicants must have outstanding academic achievements, good co-curricular and leadership records, be of good conduct, and have excellent recommendations from teachers.
Applicants should have been a student of SFMS for at least one semester prior to applying. The scholarship also requires active contribution to the school community in areas such as leadership, service, publicity, and events.
Waitlist
Waitlist
NPS International School does not operate a formal waitlist or pool system. Admissions are typically handled on a rolling basis, and places are offered as they become available.
Waitlist
SFMS operates a waitlist system for applicants. If a desired programme is full, qualified applicants may be placed on the waitlist and offered a place if it becomes available.
