Stamford American International School (Singapore)

Stamford American International School (Singapore) operates two campuses: the Woodleigh campus at 1 Woodleigh Lane (off Upper Serangoon Road), Singapore 357684, and the Early Years campus at 3 Chuan Lane near Lorong Chuan MRT station on the Circle Line. The Early Years campus is conveniently positioned close to grocery stores, cafés and community facilities and features the purpose-built Early Learning Village.

The school serves children and students from 18 months through to high school graduation. The Early Years campus accommodates children aged 18 months to 6 years, organized into nursery and kindergarten levels. The Woodleigh campus caters for Elementary, Middle School and High School students aged 6–18 years.

Stamford American International School (Singapore) is a co-educational day school (private). Boarding facilities are available for students in Grade 6 and above who are outsiders to Singapore through a partnership with ACS Oldham Hall, a nearby boarding hostel. The Early Years campus does not offer boarding.

The school community is highly international: the Early Years to High School population is described as comprising students from over 79 nationalities; the school is also described elsewhere as a globally minded community of over 75 nationalities.

The school offers support for students with Additional Learning Needs through its Student Support Department/Team. The department utilises a Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) approach to identify and address academic, developmental and emotional challenges, providing individualised interventions and individual education plans as necessary. For students requiring more intensive assistance, Special Education teachers design personalised programmes and the school provides access to specialised professionals such as speech and language therapists.

Stamford American International School offers a personalised American curriculum from 18 months through to high school graduation.

Stamford American International School in Singapore is not affiliated with any particular religion, offering an inclusive, secular environment for students from diverse cultural and religious backgrounds.

At the Early Years campus the day typically starts at 9:00 AM and ends at 3:30 PM (the half-day programme finishes at 12:10 PM). Students have scheduled breaks including a snack break, lunch period and rest time. At the Woodleigh campus Elementary School (Grades 1–5) the day typically starts at 8:25 AM and ends at 3:05 PM with scheduled breaks including a morning recess and a lunch period. For Middle and High School students (Grades 6–12) the day typically starts at 8:25 AM and ends at 3:50 PM, with time between classes and a lunch period.

The school offers island-wide, door-to-door bus transport to both the Woodleigh Campus and the Early Years Campus. The service is managed by the Season Bus company (and the system provides live updates on pick-up and drop-off times). Buses are modern and air-conditioned and equipped with CCTV and GPS tracking systems. WTS offers a CCA afternoon bus service providing point-to-point transportation for students participating in Co-Curricular Activities as a paid service. Please note students must be a minimum of 2 years old to ride the ELV School Transport.

Stamford American offers a boarding programme based at ACS Oldham Hall Premier Boarding (Stamford Boarding @ ACS Oldham Hall), centrally located in Singapore. The boarding programme is open to SAIS Secondary students (Grades 6–12, aged 12 and above) and is mandatory for any SAIS student whose parents do not reside in Singapore. The programme focuses on three key areas: Safety and Guardianship; Academics and Wellbeing; and Community and Social Bonding. Boarding residents/families have access to 111 clean, safe rooms (2-, 3- and 4-bedded) with air conditioning, Wi‑Fi, a personal study desk and wardrobe; two nutritious meals a day (breakfast and dinner) served in the Dining Hall (lunch options are available at the Stamford American School cafeteria on campus); weekend provision includes three meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner); and comprehensive services including laundry facilities, study rooms, music practice rooms, leisure areas, gardens and a gym. The Early Years campus does not offer boarding (its profile states “Not applicable” and includes the note “Boarding school is for Grades 1-12”).

All students across the school are required to wear uniforms. For Grades 1–12 the complete uniform set can be purchased through Lim Meng Keng Department Store (online ordering and home delivery available). Lim Meng Keng Department Store is located at

02-18 Holland Road Shopping Centre, 211 Holland Avenue Singapore 278967.

Sodexo provides on-site food services across the school. At the Woodleigh campus (Grades 1–12) there are two on-site cafés where students may buy meals or bring meals from home; payments are cashless via the Stamford Student card (MyStamford top-ups online or at campus cash kiosks). Semester Meal Plans and pre-order meals are available for Grades 1–5 (pre-ordering is not available for Grades 6–12). At the Early Years campus, lunch is provided in-house by Sodexo during school hours in accordance with the school policy for fresh and healthy food; parents of full-day Early Years students are required to send two nutritious snacks.

The school operates a house system for older students: a House T‑shirt forms part of the Secondary uniform. The Early Years campus does not use the house system.

Stamford American International School (Singapore) is part of the Cognita family of schools. Cognita (headquartered in London) operates 85+ schools across regions including Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and Asia, and is governed through group-wide policies on safeguarding, health and safety, financial management and data protection; governance is overseen by independent reviewers and the head of school reports to the regional chief executive officer. Cognita employs some 10,000 teaching and support staff and educates more than 60,000 students, and its stated purpose is to create an inspiring world of education that builds self-belief and empowers individuals to succeed.

Stamford American International School (Singapore) offers a continuum of programs across its campuses. On the Early Years campus, children aged 18 months to 2 years (Pre‑Nursery and Nursery) follow The Creative Curriculum, focused on active learning across social, emotional, physical, cognitive and language domains; from Pre‑Kindergarten (age 3) to Kindergarten 2 (age 6) the curriculum is grounded in the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB PYP) and integrates units of inquiry that encompass STEAMInn (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics and Innovation). Beyond Early Years, the school continues the IB pathway: students progress through either the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) or, in middle school, may follow American Education Reaches Out (AERO) standards. In high school, students may pursue the IB Diploma or a combination of Advanced Placement (AP), BTEC or Stamford courses, all of which lead to an American High School Diploma, providing academic flexibility based on university plans.

Early Years campus ratios: Pre‑Nursery 5:1; Nursery 5:1; Pre‑Kindergarten 6:1; Kindergarten 1 7:1; Kindergarten 2 12:1. Elementary School through High School ratio: 1:24.

Exam results are applicable to graduating Grade 12 students. IB Diploma Programme (Stamford American): 97% pass rate (global average 81%), 34.4 average DP score (global average 30.58), 13% of students scored 40+ points, and 80% earned two or more bonus points for their Extended Essay and TOK. AP Program (Stamford American): 3.5 average score (global average 2.9), 75% of exams taken received 3+ points, and 12 students earned a perfect 5 points in every AP subject taken.

Applicable to Grade 12 students — Stamford American International School graduates (2022–2025) have been accepted into a broad range of universities worldwide, including University of Cambridge; Imperial College London; University of California, Berkeley; New York University; UCLA; University College London; National University of Singapore; University of Edinburgh; University of Toronto; University of British Columbia; University of Melbourne; University of Sydney; University of Michigan; King’s College London; and University of Washington. Stamford American students progress to universities across regions such as Canada, USA, UK, Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore and beyond.

At Stamford American International School, we believe every student — including every Early Years student — has unique strengths, interests and talents.

Stamford American International School (Singapore) integrates Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) into daily school life through a comprehensive Student Support Department, structured SEL curriculum, and school-wide initiatives. The award-winning Second Step program is embedded in the curriculum (including the Early Years), fostering cooperation, communication and decision-making skills and emphasizing bullying prevention. The Student Support Department provides individual and group counseling, restorative practices are promoted, and teachers are trained to incorporate SEL into their teaching while working in partnership with parents to create a supportive and affirming learning environment.

The Student Support Department provides a comprehensive range of services for students with academic, emotional, physical and developmental needs. The team includes counselors, therapists and specialised educators and (at the Early Years campus) utilises a Multi-tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) approach. Services include early intervention, academic support, counselling, speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, and intensive support programmes. Speech and language therapists offer direct therapy, in-class support and strategies for stakeholders; occupational therapists work on fine and gross motor skills, self-management and emotional regulation through individual and group sessions as well as in-class support. At the Stamford American International School campus, special education teachers design individualized programmes for students requiring continuous support, with specialised staff assistance ranging from 25% to 100% of the school day; this intensive support is available for an additional fee and placement decisions are made quarterly.

English as an Additional Language (EAL) specialists collaborate with classroom teachers to provide instruction tailored to students' proficiency. Beginner students (Level A) receive 80 minutes of daily English instruction, intermediate learners (Level B) receive in-class language support, and progress is regularly assessed using internal and external tools such as the iTEP SLATE Plus. A Mandarin-to-English Transition Program supports native Mandarin speakers in developing English fluency. At the Early Years campus there is no formal EAL programme for that age group; young learners acquire English through interaction with teachers and peers in a supportive setting, and daily Mandarin or Spanish options are offered.

The Student Support Department offers both preventative and responsive counselling through individual and group sessions, collaborating with teachers and staff to address social and emotional challenges. The school actively promotes mental health awareness through campaigns such as "R U OK? Day" to encourage open conversations about wellbeing. The Early Years campus places particular emphasis on fostering a nurturing, supportive environment where teachers and staff attend closely to young children's social and emotional needs, promoting positive interactions and a sense of belonging as part of the school's holistic development focus.

Stamford American International School (Singapore) prioritises safeguarding and child protection through comprehensive policies, regular staff training (including first aid qualifications), clear procedures, and open communication that encourages students and parents to raise concerns. Counsellors and workshops provide guidance on issues such as cyber safety, and the school collaborates with external professionals when additional support is required. Security measures include 24-hour surveillance, over 60 cameras, a strict visitor sign-in process and colour-coded lanyards for identification. The Early Years campus specifically adheres to international safeguarding policies to ensure a safe learning and working environment for students, staff, parents and visitors.

Stamford American International School (Singapore) was established in 2009 and is part of the Cognita Group. The Early Years campus was set up as a dedicated campus within the school in 2017.

Stamford American International School offers a diverse, welcoming community and celebrates cultural diversity through regular events and festivals that foster global citizenship and family connection. The school hosts activities such as International Fiesta (a week-long event organised by the Parent Teacher Association), UN Day, Lunar New Year, Deepavali and Christmas festivities. The student body is internationally broad—the school counts students from over 70 nationalities, with the Early Years campus reporting over 75 nationalities.

Stamford American International School has an active Parent Teacher Association (PTA); all parents and guardians of current students are automatically members and are encouraged to participate. The volunteer-run PTA fosters a supportive community through social events, welcome gatherings, cultural festivals, staff appreciation efforts, Parent Connection Groups, volunteer opportunities and charitable activities. Parents can serve on committees, act as Room Parents, engage in social activities or volunteer for events. The PTA also maintains three Parent Cafés on campus and offers Parent Connection Groups as spaces for parents to meet with teachers and one another, strengthening the school community.

Stamford American International School (Singapore) comprises two bespoke campuses: Woodleigh Campus for grades 1–12 and the Early Years Campus (the Early Learning Village) serving ages 18 months to 6 years. The school has an Innovation Center and Makerspace to support project‑based learning, and a Reagan Theater with 500 seats, an LED backdrop, and professional sound and lighting. Woodleigh hosts multiple specialized sports and performing‑arts spaces including three swimming pools, two indoor sports arenas, rooftop tennis courts, dance studios, rock‑climbing walls, and a multipurpose sports field. The Early Years Campus offers purpose‑built learning environments designed to optimise early childhood learning; the American curriculum there integrates with the IB Primary Years Programme from Pre‑Nursery to Kindergarten 2 in a safe, stimulating setting.

Woodleigh Campus features extensive facilities: three swimming pools, two indoor sports arenas, rooftop tennis courts, dance studios, rock‑climbing walls, and a multipurpose sports field. The school's CCA Sports program provides age‑appropriate pathways across badminton, basketball, cross country, football, golf, gymnastics, rugby, softball, swimming, tennis, touch rugby, track, and volleyball, and the school participates in SEASAC and ACSIS regional competitions. The Early Years Campus delivers specialist physical education from 18 months via the SMART Steps programme (enhancing key movement patterns) and a perceptual motor programme for Kindergarten 1 students; its Early Learning Village includes The Hive, an air‑conditioned multipurpose gymnasium for sports and performances, plus a 20‑metre space designed for pre‑school aged children. Sports are also offered as part of the Early Years extracurricular options.

The school’s Innovation Center and Makerspace provide professional‑grade facilities and equipment — including latest‑generation 3D printers, robotics, laser cutting technology, green‑screen and video production studios, cameras, multimedia equipment, and mobile‑making carts — supporting 3D printing, modeling, robotics, sewing, clay work and project‑based learning (particularly across middle and high school). At the Early Years Campus, teaching follows American educational standards using The Creative Curriculum and Teaching Strategies GOLD, and employs the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme framework from Pre‑Nursery to Kindergarten 2.

The Co‑Curricular Activities (CCA) programme offers over 550 activities year‑round for Pre‑K to Grade 12, including 3D printing, CAD, coding, fencing, golf, gymnastics, MUN, radio station podcasting, robotics, and rock climbing. Lions Academies provide high‑level coaching, while After‑School Activities (ASAs) are explorative, non‑progressive, creative and inclusive. Drama productions, music ensembles, sports teams and high school clubs give students opportunities to perform and compete; over 75% of students participate in one or more CCAs. In the Early Years programme, music is included (notably the Suzuki Violin programme) with group and private lessons available through the Stamford Music Academy.

Stamford American International School (Singapore) offers a broad Co‑Curricular Activities program with over 500 activities year‑round for Pre‑K to Grade 12, including 3D printing, CAD, coding, robotics, fencing, golf, gymnastics, MUN, a radio station podcast, and rock climbing. Sports Academies provide progressive, high‑intensity coaching while After‑School Activities (ASAs) remain exploratory, non‑progressive, creative and inclusive. The program also includes Field Studies and student‑led High School Clubs to broaden experiential and leadership‑oriented learning beyond the classroom. At the Early Years campus (the Early Learning Village) learning is Reggio‑inspired: children learn through play, inquiry and hands‑on exploration in classrooms designed to invite collaboration and discovery. Early Years students may choose Mandarin or Spanish (taught daily by native‑speaking teachers), with an optional bilingual English‑Mandarin pathway from Pre‑K; the IB Primary Years Programme begins at Pre‑Kindergarten (age 3), alongside American educational standards and The Creative Curriculum to develop inquiry skills and international perspectives from the start.

Creativity and performing arts are available across the school. Music Ensembles and Performing Arts run year‑round, supported by the Lions Music Academy which provides private lessons and group performance opportunities across choral, strings, wind, orchestral and modern/rock ensembles. Drama productions provide regular performance platforms on campus, including the Reagan Theater and other venues. At the Early Years campus creativity is fostered through a Reggio‑inspired, play‑based approach and music education is built into the ELV experience, including a Suzuki violin program with group and private lessons.

The school’s World Language program provides daily Mandarin or Spanish lessons in Early Years and Elementary, with more intensive language study in Middle and High School. A Bilingual Mandarin‑English program is offered from Pre‑Kindergarten to Grade 5. English as an Additional Language (EAL) supports learners from Kindergarten to Grade 10, and a Preparatory Course for Secondary School (PCS) supports advanced language development. Model United Nations (MUN) is part of the co‑curricular program, and parents and students highlight Mandarin immersion as a feature of the Early Years bilingual pathway.

Year‑round co‑curricular options include ASAs, Music Ensembles, Drama Productions, Sports Teams, a Radio Station Podcast and student‑led High School Clubs that provide leadership opportunities. Many of these co‑curricular activities are available for Grades 1–12. The school’s Social Program supports social‑emotional learning for younger learners through Second Step modules for Pre‑K to Grade 5, focusing on cooperation, communication and anti‑bullying.

Service Learning at Stamford American is aligned with IB frameworks (PYP Taking Action, MYP Service as Action, and DP Creativity, Activity, Service) and exposes students to community service locally and abroad. Signature initiatives include the Cambodia Hope School project in partnership with World Assistance for Cambodia and schoolwide drives such as the Month of Giving, which have supported Community Chest, It’s Raining Raincoats and other partners. SDGs are integrated into learning. Service learning opportunities are offered across Grades 1–12.

Leadership and professional development are delivered through student‑led High School Clubs, the Field Studies Program (which includes a two‑day leadership training and student leaders who run pre‑ and post‑trip advisory curricula to extend learning beyond trips) and the Lions Academies, which deliver progressive coaching with a focus on developing leadership and professional skills. Many of these leadership opportunities are offered for Grades 1–12.

The school promotes wellness and active lifestyles across age groups. The Athletics Program provides age‑appropriate pathways in badminton, basketball, cross country, football, golf, gymnastics, rugby, softball, swimming, tennis, touch rugby, track and volleyball, with SEASAC and ACSIS membership enabling regional competition. The program supports the school’s ROAR values—Resilience, Outstanding character, Ambition and Respect. At the Early Learning Village the focus is on social‑emotional, physical, cognitive and language development in a purpose‑built environment designed to optimise early childhood learning.

The World Language Program provides daily instruction in Mandarin, Spanish, Korean, Japanese and English. Early Years and Elementary students receive daily Mandarin or Spanish lessons as part of the language curriculum. In Middle School and High School, Mandarin and Spanish are taught in 80‑minute sessions every other day, with 9 levels for Spanish and 7 levels for Mandarin. A Language Program for Grades 6–12 offers Korean, Japanese, Mandarin and Spanish. English as an Additional Language supports Kindergarten to Grade 10, and the Preparatory Course for Secondary School provides a 20‑week English‑proficiency program. The Early Learning Village specifically provides bilingual education in English and Mandarin for Pre‑Kindergarten to Grade 5; entry requirements specify readiness in both languages, with an English assessment beginning in KG2 and additional language assessments in Grades 1–5. Mandarin progress is tracked through placement tests, internal assessments and STAMP starting in Grade 3; English progress is tracked through Heggerty (PreK–KG1), UFLI (KG2) phonics programs and standard classroom measures. The Early Learning Village uses IB‑PYP principles to support language development and inquiry‑based learning.

The school offers a Bilingual Program blending Mandarin and English for Pre‑Kindergarten through Grade 5. The Early Learning Village implements this bilingual program using an immersive, translanguaging approach with a one‑teacher model led by bilingual educators, integrating English and Mandarin across the curriculum and aligning with the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme framework; it emphasizes Mandarin literacy and English language development through inquiry‑based learning.

The Bilingual Program includes 400 minutes of immersive Mandarin learning each week. At the Early Learning Village this immersion emphasizes authentic communication, translanguaging and cross‑subject Mandarin usage within an IB‑PYP‑aligned framework.

Singapore International School of the Year (Editor's Choice) – 2025: Stamford American was honoured with this title at the HoneyKids Asia Singapore Education Awards; the school has been recognised by these awards for five consecutive years, and the 2025 Editor’s Choice win was accompanied by four other awards that year, making Stamford American one of the top winners.

2025 Singapore Education Awards: Stamford American received five awards in 2025, including Gold in The Curriculum Awards (American) and Silver in Singapore Preschool of the Year, recognising excellence in blending the American curriculum with the IB framework.

Gold winners (selected): The Curriculum Awards (American); Best Outdoor Learning Programme.

Silver winners (selected): Singapore Preschool of the Year; The Curriculum Awards (International Baccalaureate).

2023 Singapore International School Awards: Stamford American received the Silver Award for Singapore International School of the Year in 2023.

Best Model United Nations (MUN) Award – 2021: The school’s MUN team received the Best MUN award in the Refugees & Technology category as part of the MUN Refugees Challenge 2021, organised by UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency.

Distinction Award for Excellence in Community Service – 2023: The American Chamber of Commerce in Singapore presented Stamford American with a Distinction Award for outstanding corporate social responsibility initiatives.

National Business Award for Education – 2020: Stamford American secured the Singapore Business Review’s National Business Award for Education in 2020, recognising the school’s efforts in developing ecological sustainability initiatives.

Council of International Schools (CIS) Accreditation: CIS accreditation is a mark of quality in international education, signifying adherence to international best practices and a commitment to continuous improvement.

Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Accreditation: WASC accreditation provides assurance that the school meets rigorous educational standards recognized globally, supporting student transfers and university admissions through continual improvement processes.

International Baccalaureate (IB) World School: As an IB World School, Stamford American is authorized to offer the IB programmes, reflecting a commitment to high-quality, challenging international education that emphasizes critical thinking, intercultural understanding and holistic learning.

EduTrust Certification: This Singaporean quality-assurance scheme (EduTrust) assures that the school maintains high standards in student protection, management, academic processes and administration.

doris recommends that you start by speaking to admissions. This connects you directly to the school's admissions team who can respond with answers, more information, and next steps.

Attend an Open House or Schedule a Campus Tour: Prospective families are encouraged to visit either campus to experience the school's environment firsthand. You can book a tour or attend an open house event to meet faculty, observe classrooms, and understand the school's culture. The Stamford American International School campus also offers online virtual tours for families currently living overseas.

Submit an Online Application: Complete the online application form, which typically takes around 15 minutes. You will need to create an account to access the form, allowing you to save and return to your application as needed.

Provide Required Documentation: Along with the application, submit necessary documents, including a copy of your child's passport, a passport-sized photograph, a copy of the birth certificate, and current and previous year school reports (officially translated into English if necessary). For high school applicants, additional documents such as transcripts and teacher recommendations may be required.

Pay the Application Fee: A non-refundable application fee is required to process your application. Stamford offers various payment options, including bank transfers and credit card payments. If your employer is assisting with fee payments, have a company representative complete the necessary forms and submit them with your application.

Application Review and Assessment: Once all documents and the application fee are received, the admissions team will review your application. Depending on your child's age and educational background, assessments or interviews may be scheduled to ensure appropriate placement.

Receive Admission Decision: After the review and any necessary assessments, the admissions team will inform you of the outcome. If offered a place, you will receive an acceptance package outlining the next steps.

Complete Enrollment Formalities: To secure your child's spot, sign the student contract within seven days of receiving the offer. This step finalizes enrollment and ensures your child is ready to join the Stamford community.

General: Stamford American International School offers scholarships at its discretion, aiming to recognize and support students who embody the school's core values and demonstrate exceptional talents.

Types and Selection: Academic scholarships are awarded to students who exhibit high academic potential and performance; selection typically involves evaluation of past academic records, teacher recommendations, and sometimes an interview or test. Arts scholarships are for students with outstanding talent in visual arts, music, drama, or other creative areas and usually require a portfolio or an audition. Sports scholarships are offered to athletically gifted students and involve assessing sports achievements, potential contributions to the school’s sports program, and personal interviews.

Scholarship Application Process: Prospective students generally need to complete a scholarship-specific application form and submit supporting documentation, which may include academic transcripts, letters of recommendation, a personal statement, and where applicable, a portfolio or demonstration of talent.

Application Submission and Evaluation: Families interested in enrolling must submit an application form along with the necessary documentation (such as previous school records and teacher recommendations). The Admissions Team evaluates applications based on the submitted documents and may schedule age-appropriate assessments.

Assignment to Waitlist and Notification: If the desired grade level is full, the applicant will be placed on a waitlist. Families will be notified about their position and any available updates; the school will inform you as soon as a vacancy is anticipated.

Priority and Offer of Placement: Priority on the waitlist is generally given based on factors such as date of application, sibling priority, and corporate debentures. As spaces become available (due to withdrawals or other changes), the school extends enrollment offers to students on the waitlist.

Acceptance of Offer: Families who receive an offer from the waitlist have a specified period to accept and secure their child's placement by completing the enrollment paperwork and paying the relevant fees.