This is probably the most compelling reason for the high fees you’ll be paying. As independent schools are free to set their own curriculum and learning methods, that freedom is passed on to their students.

Independent schools in Singapore offer a choice between the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma and Integrated Programme (IP) track. Fans of IB praise its broad scope and independent learning structure – there is more emphasis on project-based work and essay-writing – all of which is good preparation for university education. Fans also like its Creativity, Action and Service components – students have to chalk up 150 hours of sport, volunteering and creativity to finish school.

Schools that offer the IP track, such as River Valley High School, Hwa Chong Institution and Raffles Girls Secondary School (RGS), bypass the “O” Level exams so students take the "A" Level exams only. This way, time freed up from preparing for the "O" Levels can be used for more research-based projects, a deeper exploration of their subjects, and time to shine in their Co-Curricular Activities.

Once you have decided between the IB or IP track, there is the buffet of subjects to choose from. Unlike at regular government schools, independent school offer students a wide range of programmes across disciplines, to allow for more broad-based learning, creative thinking and self-expression. They include subjects not available in mainstream schools, such as the Active Citizenry module in Dunman High School (to prepare youngsters to become active, informed citizens) and Philosophy in RGS and Raffles Institution, which sharpens thinking skills.
(Source: www.dhs.sg/index4.html, www.raffles.sg/philosophy.html)

Independent schools offer a specialised and innovative curriculum modeled on overseas programmes and educational philosophies that they admire. For example, the Raffles Programme uses an education model developed for high-ability students by internationally renowned gifted education expert, Joyce Van Tassel-Baska.

Basically, your child’s curriculum will be a far cry from the cookie-cutter education you had back in the day, which may bore a bright child or put him on auto-pilot. He’ll sail through without maximising his potential, or worse, be held back by less able students. You will want to send him to a school that pitches to his intellectual level and more.

It’s a case of economics at work: The high fees that independent schools charge allow them to pay top dollar for their staff. This allows them to handpick their own teachers, unlike the mainstream school system, which practises a more laissez-faire system of distributing teaching talent across schools.

Independent schools also offer a different class set-up, such as smaller class ratios (at Raffles Institution, there are two form teachers per class). Moreover, their teachers are given the flexibility to stimulate and inspire their classes in their own way. This includes setting their own pace, introducing more complex ideas to enrich the content and using unconventional methods – think Dead Poets’ Society the movie and you get the picture. These teachers are also sent overseas – at their schools’ expense – to garner more exciting teaching ideas.

Independent schools are known for excelling in their chosen CCAs. It isn’t always because they have the budget for good facilities and equipment – many government schools, and especially autonomous schools, don’t fall far behind in these respects.

Instead, the independent schools tend to enjoy a legacy of victory, so students benefit from the years of experience at the sport or activity, its school pride, plus plenty of ex-student contribution. Hwa Chong Institution, for example, is known for its strong alumni support in the training of its sports teams and choral groups.

There’s also the question of values. Many parents like to send their children to schools with a strong school spirit, deep heritage and religious roots, and active parent-teacher associations – all factors that are common to independent schools.

Finally, entering a good school is also a good “career move”. What you get during your four or six years in an elite environment translates into a host of benefits, from how good it looks on a CV later on, to the networking opportunities that start in the school playground. Today’s recess or football buddies could become important contacts later on, right? After all, it’s no secret that the best schools are the gatekeepers of the country’s top jobs.

There are drawbacks to being in such an elite environment, of course. As a parent, you may feel pressured to send your child on every school trip, enrichment course and private tuition class that his classmates are attending, no matter how optional they are. Or you could take this as a brilliant opportunity to equip him with what’s important in life – good values and the best education you can afford.