SINGAPORE, Jan. 10, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- One World International School (OWIS), which won a hotly contested tender from the Singapore Government to offer a first-of-its-kind moderate-fee international school, opened its new 1,200-seat campus this week to overwhelmingly positive reception despite its mid-academic year start.
Set on a 3.2-hectare site, OWIS Nanyang has long waiting lists, indicating near-full enrolment for the August 2018 academic year. It is the second campus by OWIS, which opened its first Singapore school in 2008.
Last year, OWIS secured a tender by the Singapore Economic Development Board to run a moderate-fee international school. The tender was called to address expatriates' concerns about rising school fees and competition for admissions.
OWIS Nanyang has capped annual fees for primary school at S$17,000 (US$12,700), up to 40% cheaper than most international schools. The curriculum covers core subjects such as physical education and a second language, with after-school activities available at additional fees.
OWIS' academic offerings include the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme and Cambridge's International General Certificate of Secondary Education. OWIS is a candidate school for the International Baccalaureate Diploma, which it intends to launch soon.
OWIS' curriculum gives students theoretical and practical grounding in science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM), while cultivating interests in sports, languages and entrepreneurship.
Classrooms are equipped with e-learning technologies, including Apple TVs, tablets and LED displays. The curriculum and setting offer experiential learning opportunities in diverse environments such as nature observatories, farms, gardens and miniature rainforests.
OWIS' students are from over 40 different nationalities; no single nationality exceeds 30 percent of total enrolment. Classes are limited to 24 students to facilitate in-depth student-teacher interaction.
OWIS maintains its low-fee structure through economies of scale, shared services with parent organisation Global Schools Foundation -- which has won over 90 education awards in the past 14 years -- and vendor collaborations. Its eco-friendly initiatives keep utilities-related costs low.
Mr. Gregor Polson, Principal of OWIS, said: "We are heartened that the OWIS Nanyang campus has been so well received. We look forward to welcoming more students in the coming semester to experience our unique curriculum and grow into well-rounded global citizens."
For more information, visit www.owis.org/. Admissions are confirmed on a first-come, first-served basis.
