A new international school offering a US-based curriculum will open its doors at the former Upper Serangoon Secondary School in September 2009.
Cognita, a leading education group from the United Kingdom, plans to set up the Stamford American International School at the vacant school building after the Singapore Economic Development Board and the Singapore Land Authority (SLA) gave its proposal the nod.
The group, which owns and operates over 45 independent schools in the UK and Spain, was awarded the state land site in the first Request-for-Interest (RFI) exercise for foreign system schools.
A joint statement from the EDB and SLA said Cognita made the cut with its quality curriculum offerings and strong track record. The RFI was conducted in August and received strong response from operators.
The authorities said proposals were assessed based on a range of factors such as the quality of the project, ability to meet market demand and investment commitment, including the commitment to commence classes in academic year 2009.
Cognita is not new to Singapore. In 2007, it acquired the Australian International School of Singapore, pumping S$33 million into the school’s expansion plans.
The Stamford American International School is expected to take in its first batch of students in September 2009. With an initial capacity of 600 students, the school’s student population is expected to grow to 2,500 eventually.
In light of the gloomy economic outlook, SLA said it will work closely with Cognita to ensure that operation and redevelopment plans are on target. SLA also noted that the demand for state properties for international schools has not dipped despite the economic downturn.
Another round of RFI could be conducted next year. To date, 19 international schools are using state properties as campuses.
A joint statement from the EDB and SLA said Cognita made the cut with its quality curriculum offerings and strong track record. The RFI was conducted in August and received strong response from operators.
The authorities said proposals were assessed based on a range of factors such as the quality of the project, ability to meet market demand and investment commitment, including the commitment to commence classes in academic year 2009.
Cognita is not new to Singapore. In 2007, it acquired the Australian International School of Singapore, pumping S$33 million into the school’s expansion plans.
The Stamford American International School is expected to take in its first batch of students in September 2009. With an initial capacity of 600 students, the school’s student population is expected to grow to 2,500 eventually.
In light of the gloomy economic outlook, SLA said it will work closely with Cognita to ensure that operation and redevelopment plans are on target. SLA also noted that the demand for state properties for international schools has not dipped despite the economic downturn.
Another round of RFI could be conducted next year. To date, 19 international schools are using state properties as campuses.
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