Suzhou Singapore International School (SSIS), featuring arrays of two- or three-storey buildings with light red roofs and white walls, is the earliest international school in SIP. Founded in 1996, it has been shouldering the mission to provide excellent education to children of expatriates in SIP.

Mr. Chong, an engineer from Singapore, is the father of one of the first students in the school.

“When I was considering settling in SIP, I worried about my kid who might have difficulties in adapting to the local language, culture and education. Finally, I chose SSIS which had already employed many foreign teachers though there were not many students,” Mr. Chong said.

A photo of a teacher and her students (1997)

SSIS had only 37 students when it was opened, but now it has about 1,200 students from over 50 countries and regions. Its graduates have been admitted by more than 400 universities and colleges in 21 countries.

SSIS aims to cultivate lifelong learners. It has been introducing advanced educational concepts and teaching methods. SSIS is the first school in Suzhou to offer a whole system of IB curriculum under the IB Programmes, which consist of the Primary Years, Middle Years and Diploma Programmes, a series of international educational programs recognized worldwide and offered under the auspices of Switzerland-headquartered International Baccalaureate foundation.

Moreover, SSIS offers a German curriculum and other curriculums to help its students gain internationally accepted qualifications for entry into higher learning institutes.

The school also has a specialized training center which works together with top international organizations to provide training to its teachers.

From 2005, SSIS has hosted the “International Family Day” every year to provide families from around the globe an opportunity to interact with each other. It also holds various celebrations and other events frequently to help its students and their families better understand Chinese culture.

The first SSIS graduates

SSIS also hosts an exhibition on a yearly basis to set a bridge between its students and world-famous universities.

The 25th anniversary of SSIS’ founding (2021)

For the future, the school hopes to cultivate more students who are able to contribute to global development, and help attract more elites to SIP.

November 12, 2024