Academics are based on the Singapore Primary Curriculum leading to the iPSLE, and the IGCSE, IB Diploma Programme, and the IBCC, the school transit from MYP to IGCSE Programme by 2012. The last MYP class ended in academic year 2012/2013. The school has a reputation among the expatriate parents as a place where children of little or no English Language ability could achieve proficiency within 8 years. The Intensive English Programme of the school remains one of its strongest selling points since no other language including Chinese is allowed to be spoken within. This IEP is only given in primary years. The major academic subjects are taught in English. Some of the Aesthetics subjects in primary school are taught in Chinese. The academic year normally begins in late August, and ends in mid June. Classes for primary and secondary schools typically have around 22 students per class. There are around 5 classes for each grade. Classes for Pre-school and kindergarten can range from 12 to 18 children depending on which grade. The school started a 1 to 1 laptop program using the 13 inch MacBook Pro in academic year 2012/2013 and extended the program to the whole senior school in the 2013/2014 academic year.
The Student Council is in charge of several activities in the school, such as numerous seasonal bake sales and the annual promenade. The Student Council is led by an Executive Community or EXCO for short.
Facilities
SSIS Minhang campuses houses an auditorium; a gym, sometimes used to hold assemblies which concern the whole school; a field with a 100m track and 300m track; Eight science labs ; one computer lab; two mobile labs with 13 inch MacBook Airs for secondary school; two computer labs for the secondary school; three dance/drama rooms; two art rooms; a black box for drama classes; a second roof-top floor garden; a mini theatre for senior school, and three music rooms.
After-school programme
The school offers after-school activities including academics, performing arts, and sports. Students can participate in up to five such activities at a time.
Nationalities
The general composition of the school is about 20% Singaporeans, 20% Koreans, 10% Taiwanese, 7% Americans and Canadians, 5% Europeans and 38% Others from more than 35 countries. Each campus differs in the actual composition. Primary students with little or no knowledge or ability in the English Language will be placed in the school's Intensive Support Programme classes.
