Application Process

The applicant will be asked to take an English Language assessment after the application is completed in full if English is not their native language, or if they are coming from a school where English is not the language of instruction, or if they were receiving EAL (English as Additional Language) support from their previous school. In Grades KG2 – G5, our school offers two paths of English language support:

• EAL Level A: For students entering, emerging, and developing English skills (low-mid level current knowledge)
• EAL Level B: For students developing, expanding, and bridging English skills (mid-high level current knowledge)

In Grades 6 – 10 , the following support is available: 

• EAL Level B: For students developing, expanding, and bridging English skills (mid-high level current knowledge) from KG2 to Grade 5
• Preparatory Course for Secondary School (PCS Grade 6 – 10)

In Grades 11 – 12, students are required to have a near native level of English speaking, writing, and comprehension.

The level of support required for KG2 – G5 is determined by the WIDA English proficiency assessment conducted by a member of our enrollment team (ideally in person at the Admissions office) and is required before admittance.

The level of support required for G6 – G10 (as well as Grade 5 students starting in semester 2), including the PCS program, is determined by the SLATE Plus test. For students who are unfamiliar with the SLATE Plus, iTEP provides the following test prep materials:

• Preparation guide
• Practice guide
• Preview Test-Free
• Subject practice tests

Documents can be found on our website:

1. iTEP Exam Rules and Requirements (English)
2. iTEP Exam Rules and Requirements (Mandarin)
3. iTEP Exam Rules and Requirements (Japanese)
4. iTEP Exam Rules and Requirements (Korean)
5. iTEP International Global Quick Setup Guide (English)
6. iTEP International Global Quick Setup Guide (Mandarin)
7. iTEP International Global Quick Setup Guide (Japanese)
8. iTEP International Global Quick Setup Guide (Korean)

SAIS will facilitate and cover the cost for the first Slate Plus test. The subsequent tests required due to incomplete tests or deferment will be borne by the student. The applicants should note that only Slate Plus tests facilitated by SAIS will be considered in the application process.

Stamford American aims to welcome all family members into our community. As such, admissions priority is given to families with siblings already offered or enrolled at Stamford. Siblings will also be given priority should there be a waitlist in their grade level.

Approval is required from the Ministry of Education (MOE) before a Singaporean student (6 years old and above) is allowed to attend classes at Stamford. The application for approval from the MOE will be sent as soon as a student is accepted. Please note that Singaporean applicants who are 6 years old and above will be accepted onto our waitlist and no place will be reserved for the student until formal approval has been granted by the MOE.

The National Childhood Immunisation Schedule (NCIS) comprises childhood vaccinations recommended as the standard of care for protection against vaccine preventable diseases that are of significant healthcare burden to Singapore or would be so without these vaccinations. 

The NCIS covers vaccinations against 12 diseases – tuberculosis, hepatitis B, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, poliovirus, Haemophilus influenzae type b, measles, mumps, rubella, pneumococcal disease and human papillomavirus. From 1 November 2020, the NCIS will also cover vaccinations against two more diseases, i.e. varicella (chickenpox) and influenza.

Of these, vaccinations against measles and diphtheria are compulsory for children under the Infectious Diseases Act.

An original copy of your child’s immunization record must be submitted to Stamford American International School (SAIS) once he/she has been issued with the Letter of Offer for admission. All submitted records, if they are in foreign languages, must be translated into English.

Student’s Pass (STP) holders and Dependent Pass (DP) holders who enter Singapore from 1 November 2021 via the Student’s Pass Holder Lane (STPHL) and Work Pass Holder General Lane (WPHL) must meet the COVID-19 vaccination requirements for entry. This includes post-entry requirements for pass holders who are aged 12 and above at the point of arrival:

Those who entered Singapore before they were fully vaccinated*^ must complete the full vaccination regimen within two months after they arrive in Singapore. Please visit https://www.vaccine.gov.sg for information on getting vaccinated in Singapore.

Those who were fully vaccinated overseas^ must update their vaccination records in the National Immunisation Registry (NIR) within 14 days of completing their self-isolation or Stay-Home Notice in Singapore. To do so, they will need to show documentary proof of their overseas vaccination, and a positive serology test result taken at a Public Health Preparedness Clinic (https://www.phpc.gov.sg) at their own expense. If the serology test result is negative, they must complete the full vaccination regimen within two months of the negative test result.

Those who are medically ineligible for vaccination must, at their own expense, seek medical consultation in Singapore and be certified to be medically ineligible for all COVID-19 vaccines under Singapore’s National Vaccination Programme, within 14 days of completing their self-isolation or Stay-Home Notice in Singapore. Otherwise, they must complete the full vaccination regimen within two months of their arrival. 

*Those aged below 18 may enter without proof of vaccination. Nonetheless, all travellers are strongly encouraged to be vaccinated prior to entering Singapore, where possible. 

^An individual is considered fully vaccinated two weeks after he/she has received the full regimen of World Health Organization Emergency Use Listing (WHO EUL) vaccines.

Students aged 12 and above who have entered Singapore are reminded to complete the above requirements as soon as possible, if you have not already done so. This will help to keep you and those around you safe. Please note that enforcement actions, including revocation of passes, may be taken for non-compliance or false declarations. No further action is required for those who have already completed their vaccination in Singapore before travelling overseas, or those below the age of 12.

The Ministry of Health (MOH) of Singapore has introduced diphtheria and measles vaccination requirements as a prerequisite for foreign-born children applying for long-term immigration passes to Singapore, with effect 1 February 2019.

Foreign-born children aged 12 years old and below, who are first-time applicants for Dependent’s Pass (DP), Long Term Visit Pass (LTVP), and Student Pass (STP) are required to submit documentary proof of vaccination or evidence of immunity for diphtheria and measles to the Health Promotion Board (HPB) for before they can proceed with their visa or pass application. Further details and the application form can be found on the HPB website.

Stamford offers a Specialized Support Program for students who require support for learning differences. The needs of eligible students will be assessed on an individual basis and parents should discuss their situation with the Admissions Office prior to making an application.

Pre-course counselling is an essential step for admissions to Stamford American. The Pre-Course Counselling Information Pack covers the following information to help you make informed decisions:

• School and Course Information
• Fee Payable and Payment Method
• Fee Protection Schemes (FPS) & Student Contract
• Refund/Transfer and Withdrawer Policy and Procedure
• Singapore Regulations for International Students
• Student Support Services
• Committee for Private Education

Please read them carefully before applying and speak to your admissions managers if you have any questions.

Stamford American International School (SAIS) is committed to providing support for students who may study and live in Singapore without a parent. Our top priority is ensuring all students reside in safe and well-supported living conditions that promote academic success.  Please note that students under 12 years old must reside with a parent in order to enroll at SAIS.

For students aged 12 and older who will not live with a parent, there are three options for guardianship in Singapore: 

Extended family member: Parents may elect to place their student in the care of an extended family member such as a grandparent, aunt, uncle, or family friend living in Singapore. That person will become their appointed guardian. The student will live in their home, and the extended family member will assume responsibility for the student’s welfare. 

Boarding: Our preferred boarding provider is Anglo Chinese School’s (ACS) Oldham Hall, the longest-established boarding institution in Singapore. Our staff work closely with the team at ACS Oldham Hall to ensure aligned support and communications. More information can be found on the ACS Oldham Hall website. 

Homestay: Parents may select a guardian that has their own guardianship practices and business. Homestays are arranged by agents or guardians themselves, with different locations, services, and arrangements. We recommend that parents visit several homestays before making a decision on where to place their student. For more information, please refer to our Homestay Help Sheet 

In all three cases, the parent must identify a guardian for the student and ensure the school is informed. Completion of the guardianship form is required. 

Temporary Absence of Parents/Guardians: 

We understand that there are times when either parents or guardians may be temporarily absent from Singapore. In this case please submit an in-loco parentis form to the divisional office to nominate an adult to whom parental responsibility has been delegated. 

For any student living away from a parent, please follow these steps:

NEW STUDENTS

• Indicate in the school application that the student will be living away from a parent in Singapore. This notifies the Guardianship Team and begins the intake process
• Once enrollment is confirmed, share details of the living arrangement with the Guardianship Team via email guardianship@sais.edu.sg. Basic information, living situation and guardianship details will be collected. A meeting with the Guardianship Team may be scheduled
• Complete and sign the guardianship form provided by the Guardianship Team