Open Houses vs Private Tours: Which Is Better When Choosing an International School?

Choosing an international school in Singapore is one of the major decisions you have to make after relocating to the country with your family. There are plenty of factors that you must consider when narrowing down your options, including curriculum, community, teaching approach, and student support. However, it can be difficult to evaluate these aspects based solely on a prospective school’s website. Visiting a school in person gives you context that brochures and online reviews cannot fully provide.

For most families, school visits take one of two forms: an international school open house or a private tour arranged with the admissions team. Both options are common across Singapore’s international school landscape, and each serves a different purpose. Understanding how they differ can help you decide which experience will give you the clarity you need.

Visiting through an Open House

An open house is often the first point of contact between a family and a school. These events are typically scheduled on specific dates and designed to introduce the school to a broad group of prospective parents at once. If you are early in your search, an international school open house can be a practical way to gather initial impressions and compare options.

One of the main advantages of an open house is exposure. You usually get a structured overview of the school’s philosophy, curriculum, and facilities. Attending presentations from school leaders can help you understand how the school positions itself and what it prioritizes. This can be especially useful if you are unfamiliar with the range of international curricula offered in Singapore, such as International Baccalaureate, American, British, or blended programs.

Open houses also give you a sense of the wider school community. Because other families are present, you can observe the types of students the school attracts and the questions parents tend to ask.  Informal conversations, which typically take place before or after presentations, may offer insights into concerns that relocating families can have around transitions and language support.

That said, open houses come with limitations. Because they are designed for groups, the experience is often generalized. You may not have much time to ask questions specific to your child’s needs, particularly if those needs involve learning support or non-standard entry points. Classroom visits may be brief or staged, and access to teachers can also be limited due to scheduling.

Open houses tend to work best when:

• You are at the early stage of your school search.

• You want a broad overview of several schools.

• Your goal is to narrow down options rather than make a final decision.

If your timeline is flexible and you are still building familiarity with the international school landscape in Singapore, an open house can be an efficient and informative starting point.

Exploring a School through a Private Tour

Private tours offer a more tailored experience and are usually arranged directly with the admissions team. These visits are scheduled at a time that works for your family and often allow for deeper discussion. If you already have a shortlist of schools or specific priorities that you want to discuss with school leaders, a private tour may provide the details you are looking for.

One clear benefit of a private tour is personalization, as admissions staff can shape your visit around your child’s age, academic background, and interests. You may be able to spend more time in relevant classrooms to observe lessons in progress and meet teachers who would likely work with your child. This makes it easier to imagine how your child would actually experience the school day.

Private tours also allow for more direct and in-depth conversations. For instance, you can ask questions about assessment methods or how the school supports student well-being without feeling rushed. If your family is navigating a mid-year transfer or an upcoming relocation, this one-on-one setting makes it easier to discuss timelines and expectations openly.

However, private tours are not without drawbacks. Because they are more focused, you may miss the broader community perspective that comes from seeing multiple families engage with the school. The experience can also feel more curated, which means you may need to ask deliberately to see less polished aspects of daily operations, such as busy transition times or less formal learning spaces.

Private tours tend to be a better fit when:

• You have specific questions or requirements.

• Your child may need additional academic or language support.

• You are close to making a decision and want reassurance.

If you already understand what you are looking for, a private tour can help you confirm whether a school is the right match.

How to Decide Which Option Fits Your Situation

The choice between an open house and a private tour is not always either-or. Many families benefit from attending both, especially when evaluating multiple schools. The key is to align the type of visit with where you are in the decision-making process.

If you are new to Singapore or unfamiliar with international education pathways, starting with an open house can help you orient yourself. It can give you context and comparison points that make later visits more productive. Once you have narrowed your list, private tours allow you to test assumptions and explore details that matter most to your child.

Your child’s age can also influence your choice. If you have younger children, it may be more valuable for them to observe classroom environments and interact with teachers during a private tour. For older students, open houses sometimes include subject-specific sessions or student panels that offer useful insight into the school culture and academic expectations.

Timing matters as well. During peak admissions periods, open houses may be the fastest way to access multiple schools. Private tours can require more coordination, especially for popular schools with limited availability. Planning ahead gives you more flexibility to choose the format that suits your needs.

Making the Most of Any International School Visit

Regardless of the format, preparing well makes a difference when conducting an on-site assessment of your child’s prospective school. Before visiting, reflect on what matters most to your family. This might include teaching style and student support, or campus environment and extracurricular balance. Having these priorities in mind helps you ask better questions and notice details that align with your values. By approaching school visits thoughtfully and using each format strategically, you give yourself a clearer picture of what daily life at the school might look like. In a city with as many international education options as Singapore, that clarity can make all the difference in choosing a school where your child can thrive.

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