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Astor International School Singapore
Astor International School is a boutique primary school founded in 2019, serving just 150 students aged 5-12 with remarkably low fees of SGD 16,900 annually. With its unique half-day core curriculum ending at 1pm and flexible afternoon enrichment options, it…
In brief
Originally launched as Razum International School in 2019 before rebranding to Astor, the school occupies a small Tanglin Road campus with Principal Shannon de Winnaar leading since 2020. The school follows an interesting hybrid approach, combining the International Primary Curriculum for thematic learning in subjects like science, history and geography with Singapore's Ministry of Education syllabus for mathematics and English. This blend provides international breadth while ensuring academic rigor in core subjects.
What sets Astor apart is its flexible structure - core subjects run for just four hours each morning until 1pm, after which families can choose from optional enrichment activities or pursue external programs. With maximum class sizes of 20 students and a total capacity of 150, the school maintains an intimate, family-like environment. The student body is primarily Japanese, reflecting Singapore's expatriate demographics, though the school welcomes holders of Dependent Pass, LTVP, or PR status. Recent recognition includes gold for Principal of the Year and silver for Best Affordable International School at the 2024 Singapore Education Awards.
Strengths
- Exceptionally affordable fees at SGD 16,900 annually - among the lowest for international schools in Singapore
- Small class sizes capped at 20 students with highly personalized attention
- Flexible schedule with core subjects ending at 1pm, allowing customized afternoons
- Hybrid curriculum combining international breadth with Singapore's rigorous maths and English standards
- Recent award recognition for school leadership and value proposition
- Family-like atmosphere with strong sense of community
Considerations
- Primary-only school (Years 1-7) requiring transition to another institution for secondary education
- Limited on-campus facilities compared to larger international schools - partners externally for swimming and sports
- Very small scale may not suit families seeking extensive extracurricular programs
- Relatively new institution (founded 2019) with limited track record compared to established schools
- Afternoon enrichment activities incur additional costs beyond the base fee
Fees
| Fee | Age | Type | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Years 1-7 (Option A – Flexi) | Annual | SGD 16,900 | |
| Years 1-7 (Option B – Fixed) | Annual | SGD 22,800 | |
| Material Fee (annual, with first payment) | One-time | SGD 180 | |
| Admission Fee (includes assessment) | One-time | SGD 1,950 |
Reviews
<a href="/international-schools/singapore/astor-international-school">Astor International School Singapore</a> is positioned as a small, lower-cost primary option with a short core day and paid add-ons. Independent commentary is limited, but one review platform and a parent comment provide recent detail.
What parents and reviewers praise
describes Astor as boutique, with a maximum of 20 students per class and a core curriculum concentrated in the morning, plus optional afternoon enrichment.
Where the criticism lands
A parent comment hosted onsays classroom teachers changed repeatedly during one period and argues the total cost rises with extracurriculars and transport. The school’s reply disputes some details and frames fees as a budget option under SGD 20,000.
Head of school
Shannon de Winnaar
Mrs. Shannon de Winnaar is a South African-born Australian with a Bachelor of Education majoring in Mathematics from the University of Notre Dame Australia and a Certificate in Leadership and Management from the University of Melbourne.
Accreditations
- SG_MOE 01