The Path to Success for an Affordable International School

How Astor International School Became the

Best Affordable International School in Singapore

Since its launch in 2019, Astor International School has made great strides in becoming Singapore’s best affordable international school. Now, as we reflect on our path to success at the start of our sixth year of operation, three key things stand out for us:

Astor International School Principal Shannon de Winnaar with some of our students

1. The vision that has led to being recognised as the Best Affordable International School

From the outset, Astor International School’s mission was (and still is) extremely clear:

To change the face of international schools in Singapore by providing education that is engaging, relevant, flexible and affordable.

At Astor International School, we believe that every child deserves access to engaging and relevant learning that sparks curiosity and nurtures a lifelong love of discovery. By focusing on inquiry-based, hands-on approaches, we empower students to think critically, explore ideas with confidence, and take ownership of their education.

Flexibility is at the heart of our model. Families today seek schools that understand their diverse needs, and Astor provides options that allow children to learn in ways best suited to them. With small class sizes, personalised support, and adaptable schedules, our approach ensures that students not only meet academic goals but also develop creativity, resilience, and independence.

Most importantly, we are committed to making quality international education affordable. Too often, premium learning opportunities come with prohibitive costs. At Astor, we challenge this norm by offering exceptional education at fees that starts from only SGD16,900 a year. Additionally, we support our families by charging fees for ten months of the year only, and they are paid in monthly instalments. By combining academic excellence with affordability, Astor is redefining what it means to be the best affordable international school in Singapore.

Learning is fun and creative at Astor International School

2. Astor International School has an Outstanding Leadership Team      

At Astor International School, we are proud to have an outstanding leadership team that drives our vision and success. Founder Elena Holloway, a first-time educational entrepreneur, and Shannon de Winnaar, the school’s first Principal, brought together a unique blend of entrepreneurial spirit and educational expertise. Their combined strengths created the foundation for a school that stands out in Singapore’s competitive education landscape. With a clear mission to provide engaging, relevant, flexible, and affordable learning, they transformed Astor into more than just a boutique international school—it became a thriving community where students are encouraged to grow with confidence and curiosity. This synergy and commitment to excellence have led to Astor being recognised as one of the best affordable international schools in Singapore, known for delivering quality education at an affordable price while maintaining high academic standards and a nurturing environment.

Shannon and Elena - the core leadership team of Astor International School, and the awards they have recently received

Under their leadership, Astor International School’s student body has now grown to 100 and its full-time staff to 15. As we approach capacity in our Tanglin campus, we are looking to expand Astor Family by opening new branches and Astor preschools.

Their professionalism and passion in education led them to be recognised for their outstanding leadership in education. Shannon was named the Gold winner of Principal of the Year award by HoneyKids Asia for both 2023 and 2024 in the competitive International Primary School category (featuring many much larger and more established schools). At the same time, Elena was named Entrepreneur of the Year in 2023 and 2024  by winning the prestigious Entrepreneur 100 Award from the Association of Trade and Commerce Singapore.

3. Effectiveness of the School Management and Curriculum

True long-term success is built through consistent effort—by delivering value to families, honouring the promises of our brand, and actively listening to the voices of our community. At Astor International School, we live this commitment every day, ensuring that our students receive quality education at an affordable price while parents experience trust, transparency and genuine care.

At Astor International School, we foster a love of nature. Here our students explore Singapore's wonderful natural environment.

• We have remained true to our vision. Astor International School provides education that is engaging, affordable and flexible. Our school is small, student-centric and community-based. Maintaining our class size around 15 students, we provide personalised learning and offer high-quality education.

• At Astor International School, our educational programme is designed to give every child a well-rounded foundation for success. We combine a strong academic focus on core subjects such as Mathematics, Literacy, and English with rich opportunities to explore creativity through Arts, Music, Dance, Languages, and Sports. Our holistic approach also nurtures a deep love and respect for nature, helping students develop not only academically but also socially, emotionally, and environmentally. This balance of academic excellence, creativity, and values is what makes Astor one of the best affordable international schools in Singapore, offering quality education at an accessible price.

• At Astor International School, we value and respect all our stakeholders. We are committed to hiring and training the best teachers who bring passion and expertise into the classroom. We also carefully select and manage trusted external partners to ensure the highest standards of support and services. Most importantly, we listen closely to our parents and continuously improve the school in meaningful ways, ensuring that we deliver quality education at an affordable price.

Shannon and Elena, together with the whole Astor International School team, are grateful to our students, parents and teachers for helping us achieve our success. We are looking forward to continuing this education venture together with you.

Physical activity is critical to the well-being of students at Astor International School.