Compare

SSSGS vs CBSE, ICSE, Cambridge, IB

A practical at-a-glance comparison for families relocating or choosing between curricula. We focus on the questions parents actually ask.

Aspect	SSSGS	CBSE	ICSE	Cambridge	IB
Curriculum base	NCERT-aligned, values-integrated	NCERT	CISCE board	Cambridge (CAIE) — Primary / Lower Secondary / IGCSE	International Baccalaureate (PYP/MYP)
Medium	English	Mostly English	English	English	English (additional language required)
Grades covered	Primary and middle school today (expanding)	Grades 1–12	Grades 1–10 (ISC up to 12)	Grades 1–11 (IGCSE); A-Level to 13	Grades 1–12
Class size	~1:20 maximum	Often 1:30+	Often 1:30+	Varies by school	Smaller (1:15–1:20 common)
Assessment style	Continuous formative + structured term assessments	Periodic + annual	Continuous + annual	Checkpoint tests + IGCSE external exams	Criterion-based, project-heavy
Mid-year admissions	Welcome, with settling support	Varies by school	Varies by school	Varies by school	Possible, slot-dependent
Values education	Built into every subject and routine	Light unless school adds it	Light unless school adds it	Light unless school adds it	Learner Profile traits; varies
Co-curricular focus	CCAs + enrichment (Phonics, Abacus, Olympiad)	School-dependent	School-dependent	School-dependent	Action / Service integrated
Transition fit	Strong for CBSE/ICSE families relocating to Singapore	Strong within CBSE network	Strong within ICSE network	Common for internationally-mobile families	Globally portable, exam-style differs
Fees (relative)	Mid-range	Generally lower	Mid-range	Higher (international)	Highest

Curriculum base

SSSGSNCERT-aligned, values-integrated

CBSENCERT

ICSECISCE board

CambridgeCambridge (CAIE) — Primary / Lower Secondary / IGCSE

IBInternational Baccalaureate (PYP/MYP)

Medium

SSSGSEnglish

CBSEMostly English

ICSEEnglish

CambridgeEnglish

IBEnglish (additional language required)

Grades covered

SSSGSPrimary and middle school today (expanding)

CBSEGrades 1–12

ICSEGrades 1–10 (ISC up to 12)

CambridgeGrades 1–11 (IGCSE); A-Level to 13

IBGrades 1–12

Class size

SSSGS~1:20 maximum

CBSEOften 1:30+

ICSEOften 1:30+

CambridgeVaries by school

IBSmaller (1:15–1:20 common)

Assessment style

SSSGSContinuous formative + structured term assessments

CBSEPeriodic + annual

ICSEContinuous + annual

CambridgeCheckpoint tests + IGCSE external exams

IBCriterion-based, project-heavy

Mid-year admissions

SSSGSWelcome, with settling support

CBSEVaries by school

ICSEVaries by school

CambridgeVaries by school

IBPossible, slot-dependent

Values education

SSSGSBuilt into every subject and routine

CBSELight unless school adds it

ICSELight unless school adds it

CambridgeLight unless school adds it

IBLearner Profile traits; varies

Co-curricular focus

SSSGSCCAs + enrichment (Phonics, Abacus, Olympiad)

CBSESchool-dependent

ICSESchool-dependent

CambridgeSchool-dependent

IBAction / Service integrated

Transition fit

SSSGSStrong for CBSE/ICSE families relocating to Singapore

CBSEStrong within CBSE network

ICSEStrong within ICSE network

CambridgeCommon for internationally-mobile families

IBGlobally portable, exam-style differs

Fees (relative)

SSSGSMid-range

CBSEGenerally lower

ICSEMid-range

CambridgeHigher (international)

IBHighest

Note: comparisons are general patterns based on common implementations and may vary by individual school. Confirm specifics with each school before deciding.