Cities / Singapore / Stamford American International School (SAIS)
Stamford American International School (SAIS)
Large IB and American-curriculum school with two campuses (Woodleigh, Early Learning Village). 2025 - 2026 Woodleigh tuition S$47,390 - 54,210/year (Grades 1 - 12, incl. GST). Application S$920. Part of Cognita.
In brief
Academics
Class of 2025: - IB Diploma Pass Rate: 97% (Global average: 81%). - IB Average Score: 34.4 (Global average: 30.58). - Percentage scoring 40+ points: 13%.
School life
- Total Activities: 550+ co-curricular activities (CCA). - Sports Offered: Badminton, basketball, cross country, football, golf, gymnastics, rugby, softball, swimming, tennis, touch rugby, volleyball, fencing. - Competitive Teams: Stamford Lions (participate in ACSIS and SEASAC).
- Campuses: Woodleigh Campus (Elementary & Secondary) and Early Learning Village (Pre-Nursery to K2). - Campus Size: 53,000 square meters (approx. 13 acres).
Student body
- Total Enrolment: Over 3,000 students. - Nationalities: 79+ nationalities represented. - Student-Teacher Ratio: 11:1 (general); Pre-Nursery 3:15; Nursery to KG2 ranges from 2:16 to 3:24.
Fees
| Fee | Age | Type | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 1 | 6 | Annual | SGD 47,390 |
| Grade 2 | 7 | Annual | SGD 47,390 |
| Grade 3 | 8 | Annual | SGD 47,390 |
| Grade 4 | 9 | Annual | SGD 47,390 |
| Grade 5 | 10 | Annual | SGD 47,390 |
| Grade 6 | 11 | Annual | SGD 51,410 |
| Grade 7 | 12 | Annual | SGD 51,410 |
| Grade 8 | 13 | Annual | SGD 51,410 |
| Grade 9 | 14 | Annual | SGD 54,210 |
| Grade 10 | 15 | Annual | SGD 54,210 |
| Grade 11 | 16 | Annual | SGD 54,210 |
| Grade 12 | 17 | Annual | SGD 54,210 |
| Application Fee | One-time | SGD 920 |
Reviews
- Reddit teachers consistently place SAIS in Singapore's second tier of international schools , for-profit with proper campuses (AIS, XCL, Nexus, Brighton, Chatsworth, Dulwich, NLCS) , below the Tier 1 non-profits Singapore American School, UWCSEA, Tanglin Trust, GESS and IFS.
- Teacher accounts repeatedly flag the school as a stepping stone. One former teacher describes it as a holding spot for staff trying to move on to SAS or UWC. Another says there is no salary scale, which they cite as a reason staff do not last.
- For-profit ownership is a recurring theme. Teachers say the school did not raise housing allowances during a Singapore rent spike that prompted SAS to give a 26% increase.
- Parent reviews are warmer. Recurring comments highlight approachable management, supportive teachers, individualised pathways, the size and breadth of the campus and a 75-plus-nationality student body.
- Facilities are routinely cited as a draw: three pools, rooftop tennis courts, an all-weather field, an Innovation Centre and the Reagan Theatre.
- Admissions reality check. Singaporean citizens cannot enrol without MOE approval, in line with other foreign-system schools.
- One press-reported safeguarding incident: a former IT helpdesk engineer was jailed in 2025 for stealing 49 Apple devices from the school.
Head of school
Matt Mills
Matt Mills brings over 40 years of educational experience, including more than 25 years in headship and senior leadership roles at top international schools in New Zealand, Hong Kong, China, Germany, and Thailand, most notably as Head of School at Bangkok Patana School for a record 15 years.
Accreditations
- WASC full accreditation by Accrediting Commission for Schools, Western Association of Schools and Colleges 01
- CIS re-accredited 2021 02
- others: None published 03
- ACSIS, SEASAC, EARCOS 04
- FOBISIA participates in events 05
Academic results
- IB Diploma 2023 average 34.2 points
- IB Diploma 2024 average 97% passing rate
- AP average score 2023 3.5
- BTEC pass rate 2024 100%