Singapore / Singapore Central / Tanglin / Melbourne Specialist International School

Melbourne Specialist International School Review

Here’s a unique and innovative special needs school for children aged three to 18 that focuses on arts-based therapy to teach numeracy, literacy and independent living skills.
At a glance
School type
International
School phase
All through
Inspection rating
No rating
Curricula taught
Availability 2022/23
Availability 2023/24
Annual fee average
SGD 27,000
Annual fees
SGD 24,000–30,000
Price band help
Mid-range
Status
Open
Opening year
2015
School year
Jan to Dec
Principal
Jayne Nadarajoo
Does your child attend this school? Take our survey and help other parents.
WhichSchoolAdvisor's annual school survey.
LET'S GO
favorite favorite_border Save
Melbourne Specialist International School
School type
International
School phase
All through
Inspection rating
No rating
Curricula taught
Availability 2022/23
Availability 2023/24
Annual fee average
SGD 27,000
Annual fees
SGD 24,000–30,000
Price band help
Mid-range
Status
Open
Opening year
2015
School year
Jan to Dec
Principal
Jayne Nadarajoo
MORE arrow_drop_down

Here’s a unique and innovative special needs school for children aged three to 18 that focuses on arts-based therapy to teach numeracy, literacy and independent living skills.

Melbourne Specialist International School (MSIS) is a school for students with special needs where visual arts and a performing arts programme take centre stage. This all-through school for children aged three to 18 years offers an alternative to mainstream education and is designed for students with a variety of learning disorders, as well as physical disabilities.

The school says:

“At MSIS, we discover and nurture the strengths of a child with special needs rather than focus on their disability. Every child should be valued as they have the potential to contribute to society.”

Founded in 2014, MSIS follows an Australian curriculum framework alongside a visual and performing arts and therapy services. Its focus is as much on the academic as it is on developing social and vocational skills to help young children become confident and independent adults.

It’s a small school of just 60 students and teacher to student ratios are a low 1:4, which you would expect at an SEN school. Teaching is delivered by a team of classroom teachers, specialist teachers in dance, music, art, and drama, and therapists including occupational, art, music, and speech therapists, plus physios and psychologists. Every student is given an individual learning programs that focuses on their specific needs.

Curriculum

MSIS follows the Victorian Curriculum Framework for foundation years through to Year 10. This is an Australian curriculum that enables teachers to identify a student’s current levels of achievement, and then deliver teaching and learning programmes to support progression in their learning. It has a reputation in Australia for supporting a diversity of learners, ranging from students with disabilities and additional learning needs to those who are gifted and talented.

The early years for children aged three to seven years focuses strongly on the Jolly Phonics programme; in Foundation 1, for six to 13-year-olds, Montessori-inspired activities play a key role in all learning; in Foundation 2, for eight to 13-year-olds, there’s an emphasis on reading, comprehension, critical thinking, writing, speaking, and listening. MSIS also offers pathway programmes into adulthood that focus on living skills and vocational training.

A typical day would cover English, maths, art, outdoor play and PE, social and life skills, and the performing arts. There are also swim lessons held at a nearby swimming pool, and weekly therapy sessions in the class with the option of 1:1 therapy if required.

Campus and facilities

Centrally located in Loewen Gardens near Dempsey Hill, MSIS is a small, single-storey building with eight classrooms. Facilities include a gymnasium, dance/music studio, sensory retreat and outdoor play area; the school uses a nearby swimming pool for lessons.

Admission and fees

The school has a rolling admission process, and students are encouraged to spend a day ay the school before applying. Annual fees range from $24,042 for Pre-K up to $30,053 for Pathways Year 3 (10-13 years).

If you are the owner or the principal of the school and note any inaccuracies, or would like to update data, you can now open an account with us. You will also be able to add admissions availability per year group, and advertise current job vacancies. This is a free service. Please help us keep prospective parents up to date with your latest information.

Are you looking for a place for your child, and want help from our school consultants? If so, click on the link below, and we will forward your request for information to the school or schools of the same type that we are confident have availability. This is a free service for our readers. Request Information

Comments
Latest Singapore articles
School Performance

Singapore Students Top PISA 2022 Rankings

Singapore tops the rankings in the 2022 PISA tests, a global study that compares the acade…

School Performance

IB Results Day Jan 2024: Need to Know

It’s now less than one month until IB Results Day. Students who sat their IB exams i…

Society

Saudi Arabia Wins Expo 2030

Saudi Arabia’s capital Riyadh has been chosen to host the 2030 World Expo. The decis…

Parenting

Parent-Teacher Meetings: Online or In-person?

Parents' evenings and parent-teacher meetings give you the chance to find out how your chi…

Choosing A School

Singapore's Best Small International Schools

How important is the size of your child’s school? It’s not about one being bet…

Choosing A School

When, Where: Moving to Singapore with a Teen

Choosing a senior school and sixth form is a pivotal time that helps shape a child’s…

Which Curriculum

What is a High Performance Learning School?

Misk Schools claim to be the first in Saudi Arabia to be a High Performance Learning (HPL)…

Parenting

How to Help Your Child With Their Homework

Whether your child is in primary school and beginning to grapple with having to complete b…

0 Schools Selected
keyboard_arrow_down keyboard_arrow_up
Your selection Clear All