GESS International School Singapore

GESS International School Singapore is a not-for-profit international school providing personalised education for students aged 2-18 years old. Founded in 1971 by parents for the community, GESS has been at the heart of the school community for over 50 years. With over 200 programmes offered, including BeyondClassrooms, children are given the freedom to grow and discover their passions. GESS offers the International Baccalaureate (IB) taught in English by experienced international educators, and the German Curriculum taught in German by excellent German-speaking educators. The school serves an international student community of 1,900 students with 70 nationalities, comprising 48% girls and 52% boys.

Campus and Facilities

GESS’s campus boasts over 170 learning facilities. The state-of-the-art international school campus was imagined by students and teachers. Home to students from 2-18 years old, the dedicated learning, technology, sports and outdoor areas give students endless opportunities to grow and develop their talents. There are 23 collaborative learning and maker spaces empowering students to go beyond memorising information and develop 21st-century skills including critical thinking, research analysis, teamwork, and cross-cultural understanding. The school has 13 dedicated sports facilities where sports are integrated into the curriculum and after school. Students benefit from professional coaching and sports facilities including an Olympic-size swimming pool, football pitch, athletics area, and 4 indoor sports halls. STEM is a large part of GESS student life, inspiring future engineers, designers, and scientists. GESS is the only school in Asia offering the prestigious Junior Engineering Programme. The school also features 18 specialised arts facilities. With 15 integrated arts, music, and drama programmes and over 40 arts and music activities offered after school, students develop their creativity and confidence in the arts and beyond. GESS has 5300 square metres of green outdoor learning and play areas to explore and enjoy, as well as Dairy Farm Nature Park situated next to the campus. A dedicated preschool campus caters to students aged 2-5 years old with specially designed classrooms and outdoor play areas allowing students to learn through meaningful play and inquiry. Three dedicated student libraries offer over 27,000 books in 14 languages as well as digital resources.

Curriculum and Academics

GESS - International School Singapore, located at 2 Dairy Farm Lane, Singapore 677621, offers IB and German curriculums for students aged 2 to 18. The leaving qualifications include the IB Diploma and Abitur. Instruction is in English and German, with native speakers for both languages. The school provides extra languages. The average class size is 21 students, with a maximum of 24. GESS offers extracurricular activities and a school bus service. Yearly fees range from SGD 32,275 to SGD 41,935. The school accommodates non-religious students or students of different religions. GESS has a balanced approach toward technology. iPads are used in preschool and primary, and laptops in secondary grades. Classes were taught online using secure virtual meeting platforms during periods of home-based learning in Singapore. Homework varies from 1 hour to 3.5 hours per week, depending on the grade and subjects. There is no homework in preschool. Over 95% of students pursue further education post-graduation. Learning support is offered individually and in small groups. GESS will launch a Gifted and Talented Programme in Maths, Science, Literacy, and Technology in August 2024. Entry evaluations include Reading and Maths for grades 3-12 applicants and a general English assessment for grades 6-12 applicants. There is no application deadline, and students can join after the academic year begins, except for grades 11 and 12. School starts at 08:00 and finishes at 15:00. Supervised care is available before school from 07:15 to 08:00 and during break times. School-provided lunches are available with food alternatives for special dietary needs, and uniforms are required.

Extracurricular Activities and Programs

Over 100 after-school co-curricular activities and programs are offered, including competitive sports, technology, arts, and music. Sports activities include weekly swimming lessons and 1-2 sports lessons per week. Sports offered at a professional competitive level include swimming, football, basketball, volleyball, badminton, athletics, golf, and table tennis. Facilities include a library, auditorium, drama facilities, Black Box Theatre, science labs, design technology studios, visual arts studios, outdoor plaza and play area, learning pods, an Olympic-sized covered swimming pool, sports field, football pitch, gym, 3 indoor sports halls, dance studios, martial arts arena, play areas, and playgrounds.

Teaching and Learning

GESS is known for innovative teaching and learning and offers a personalised education. In 2021, GESS partnered with 15 leading global companies and organizations to create an exclusive BeyondClassrooms programme. Teachers differentiate to cater to students' different learning styles, abilities, and needs.