Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Canadian International School (CIS) have a Canadian Curriculum?
The Canadian International School is an International Baccalaureate School that draws on International curriculums and best practices. The Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) is based upon a Canadian and International curriculum - please note that the OSSD will be discontinued at the end of June 2013. 

Are all teachers at CIS qualified?
Yes, all the teachers at CIS are formally qualified. You can find out more about our teachers and their qualifications in the Academics section on this website. 

Are all teachers at CIS Canadian?
Whilst a large number of our teaching staff are Canadian, they are joined by colleagues from Australia, the UK, Europe and the USA. You can find out more about our teachers and their qualifications in the Academics section on this website. 

How long will it take my child to become proficient in English (for English Learning Language students)?
Usually a young student will become proficient in English within 18 to 36 months; however it is normal for each student to learn at a different pace. After assessment, students will be withdrawn for intensive English tuition (this will vary according to English proficiency).

Will my child learn another language at CIS?  
Yes, students from 4 years of age (from Junior Kindergarten) learn both French and Mandarin. Once a student reaches Grade 4, they must chose between French and Mandarin and will study this subject throughout the rest of the PYP and MYP. 

How many students are there at CIS?
There are currently approximately 2500 students across both the Lakeside (LKS) and Tanjong Katong (TK) campuses

Is there currently a waitlist at CIS?
There is high demand for places at the Canadian International School and waitlists do exist for a number of year groups. For information on the availability of places, please contact our Admissions Executives for further information. It is advisable to apply for places early for their children.

Can my child buy lunch and snacks at school?
Yes, all students have the ability to purchase school lunch and/or snacks. Alternatively, they may bring a packed lunch from home. Please visit the canteen section for further information.

Does my child have to wear a school uniform?
Yes, all children are required to wear the school uniform. Details on where to purchase and current pricelists can be found at the uniforms section on this website.

Do I need to pay for text books? 
Most materials for classes are supplied by CIS. There will be some incidental costs that parents incur with equipment needed for class.

Is there a school Parent and Teacher association (PTA)?
Yes. All parents/guardians with students enrolled at CIS are automatically members of the PTA. Please contact the PTA for further information.

The School Year
All courses/grades are yearlong courses and follow the school year, which begins in August and ends in June. The CIS academic calendar provides full details on Semester start dates and scheduled holidays for the respective school year. Please visit the calendar section on our website for further details.

Course Fees
Full details regarding the course (grade) fees and the CIS fee refund policy can be found in the Admissions section of our website under Fees.

Issuing Report Cards – Semester 2
There are expected attendance periods needed for formal report cards to be issued. Please note the following dates for guidelines on report cards and summative letters for students joining CIS midway through the semester:

• Students who join CIS prior to 22 March will receive a second semester report card.
• Students who join CIS between 9 April and 10 May will receive a summative letter.
• Students joining CIS after 13 May will not receive a report card or summative letter.

Report Cards and Departures – Semester 2
The key dates for report cards for students leaving CIS are as follows:

• Students departing CIS prior to 1 March will not receive a Semester 2 report card.
• Students who have been enrolled for semester 2, but depart between 4 March and 21 June will receive a written report card. This report card will be mailed to the student’s new residential address after 21 June.

Terminology re Courses

CIS is an international school that offers programmes for students from 3 to approximately 18 years of age. "Courses" at CIS are commonly referred to as grades. With the exception of the ECE (Early Childhood Education) half day (3 hour) programme, all courses (grades) are offered on a full time basis and students attend school 5 days per week (Monday to Friday). 

Details including the minimum entry requirements for each grade level, a brief course (grade) write up, and the details of the relevant awarding and/or governing body/bodies can be found in the course write ups that are available on this page. Comprehensive details regarding the curriculum across the whole school (Early Childhood Education to Grade 12) can be found in the academics section of our website.

Teacher: Student Ratio and Maximum Class Size
All classes are staffed to ensure our students enjoy an optimal learning environment, and sizes range from 16 to a maximum of 26 students. The average teacher:student ratio at CIS is as follows:

Questions?
If you have any questions on any of our courses, or would like any further information regarding enroling your child at CIS, please contact our Admissions Department by submitting an online query.