Upper High School

International Baccalaureate (IB) programme taught in English for students aged 16-18 years old.

In Upper High School, we prepare students to step into the world with confidence, purpose, and a strong sense of self. We believe that true academic success is closely connected to emotional wellbeing. Our students benefit from personalised support, expert guidance, and a caring environment that helps them thrive.

By the time students graduate, they leave with a strong academic foundation, a rich portfolio of experiences, and the confidence to pursue top global universities and fulfilling careers. No matter where their journey leads, they carry with them the support of a global alumni network and lasting friendships built within our close-knit school community.

HIGHEST LEVEL OF SUPPORT FOR INDIVIDUAL ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

We offer more instructional hours for IB subjects than many schools in Singapore. 50 extra hours for Standard Level and 60 for Higher Level courses. Our educators also dedicate three additional hours weekly to provide academic support, personalised guidance, and pastoral care. This ensures every student is well-prepared academically and supported in their personal and emotional growth.

PATHWAYS FOR STUDENTS’ PERSONAL SUCCESS

Students can choose between two distinct pathways to graduation: the IB Diploma Program and the IB Careers Program, each designed to suit different strengths, interests, and future goals. A wide range of subject options, language offerings, and co-curricular activities allows students to personalise their learning experience. This flexibility supports diverse ambitions and opens doors to top universities and meaningful career opportunities worldwide.

A REAL WORLD ADVANTAGE

We have a dedicated, award-winning BeyondClassrooms programme, delivered in partnership with leading global companies BMW, Siemens, Evonik and more. Additionally, our university guidance and social education programmes help students plan for future careers in a structured manner. More than just academic excellence, we emphasise preparation for the real world.

What GESS GRADUATES say about us

"Attending GESS had a significant impact on my career trajectory."

Amba - Neuroscientist and PhD student

"The multicultural environment made me hungry to learn."

Sophie - Associate Consultant at McKinsey & Company

See more testimonials

High School information

IB Careers Programme

Learning Beyond the Classroom

IB Diploma Programme

Wellbeing and Guidance

Graduate Outcomes and University Destinations

Entry requirements

IB Careers Programme

For students who wish for a more career-focused study in a specialised field, the IB Careers Programme is a great choice. It balances academic study with experiential, career-related learning. Students gain in-depth subject knowledge in their area of specialisation, gain hands-on project experience, and develop personal and professional skills that prepare them for the 21st-century working world.

At GESS, Business and Sustainability is the specialised pathway offered for the IB Careers Program. Given predictions that by 2030, there will be 24 million jobs in the green economy, this pathway provides students with a highly desirable skill set and expertise for the future job market.

There are three components to the IB Careers Programme:

Career-Related Studies
Diploma Programme Courses
IB Careers Program Core

Career-Related Studies

Business and Sustainability (SUMAS)
Given predictions that by 2030 there will be 24 million jobs in the green economy, this pathway provides students with a highly desirable skill set for the future job market. Students pursue business and sustainability management courses delivered online by SUMAS professors and tutors, studying in a global classroom that connects GESS learners with peers from around the world.

Examples of mandatory courses:

Fundamentals of Sustainability

Leadership

Sustainable Innovation

Examples of specialist courses:

Sustainable Fashion

Sustainable Finance and Digitalisation

Nature Conservation

Students will also apply their learning through a Sustainability Leadership Camp and an Integrative Project Experience.

Creative Arts and Design (SCAD)

In partnership with the Savannah College of Art and Design, students explore a wide range of creative disciplines — from digital media and fashion marketing to graphic design and photography. The pathway nurtures creative thinking, design skills, and entrepreneurial mindsets essential for tomorrow’s creative industries.

Examples of SCAD courses include:

Foundation Studies (STEM)

Foundation Studies – Digital Media Majors (STEM)

Foundation Studies & Liberal Arts

Foundation Studies & Liberal Arts (No Drawing Required)

Advertising & Branding (STEM)

Graphic Design (STEM)

Interactive Design & Game Development (STEM)

Photography

Sequential Art

Fashion Marketing & Management

Social Strategy & Management (STEM)

Custom Track

This pathway enables students to discover their creative strengths, build professional portfolios, and connect with industry-leading mentors and peers from across the world.

Sports Management (WAoS)

Through the World Academy of Sport, students gain a professional understanding of sports business, leadership, and athlete management. This pathway is ideal for those passionate about the global sports industry, combining theory with real-world examples from international sporting organisations.

Diploma Programme Courses

As part of the IBCP, students select IB Diploma Programme (DP) courses that best complement their chosen Career-related Study. This combination ensures a balanced education that develops both academic depth and practical expertise.

Business and Sustainability (SUMAS): Students often select Business Management and Economics, which strengthen their understanding of global markets, sustainable business strategies, and ethical decision-making.

Creative Arts and Design (SCAD): Many students choose Visual Arts and Design Technology, which support creative expression, design innovation, and technical skill development essential for the creative industries.

Sports Management (WAoS):

Students typically select Sports, Exercise and Health Science and Business Management, allowing them to explore both the physical and commercial aspects of the global sports sector.

This tailored approach empowers students to connect their academic learning directly with their future career aspirations.

IB Career-related Programme Core

The IBCP Core includes Personal and Professional Skills, Service Learning, Language Development, and the Reflective Project. Together, these components foster ethical awareness, intercultural understanding, and professional confidence — qualities that prepare GESS students to thrive in the modern world.

Learning Beyond the Classroom

Our award-winning BeyondClassrooms programme offers students a unique insight into the workings of today’s top industries, global companies, and organisations. It demonstrates to students the power of their knowledge and how it can serve as a starting point for achieving practical, impactful outcomes in the real world. Students gain a perspective on the exciting education and career pathways ahead of them and can make more informed decisions about their future.

The many initiatives in the BeyondClassrooms Programme:

Internships with leading global companies
Industry expert talks
Site and factory visits
Career counselling and guidance from professionals
Mentorship with industry leaders
Opportunities to collaborate on projects

We work with remarkable partners such as:

BMW – manufacturer of luxury vehicles and motorcycles
Danfoss – an engineering and sustainable innovation company
Evonik – a speciality chemicals company
Alba Berlin – a professional basketball club based in Berlin
Invitrocue – a bio-analytics solutions provider

School Trips and Enrichment Activities

Our school trips and enrichment activities challenge students to step out of their comfort zones and participate in experiences that foster character growth, promote intercultural understanding and encourage meaningful engagement with diverse communities and the environment.

Past school trips and enrichment activities have included:

Social Project in India and Cambodia
Language Trips

IB Diploma Programme

Language and Literature

English A
Danish A
Dutch A
German A
Other Mother Tongues (Korean, Mandarin, Hindi, Swedish, French, Spanish, and more)

Language Acquisition

English B
French B or Ab initio
Mandarin B
German B
Spanish B or Ab initio

Individuals and Societies

Geography
History
Economics
Business Management
Psychology

Science

Biology
Chemistry
Physics
Design Technology
Computer Science
Sports, Exercise, and Health Science

Mathematics

Mathematics Applications & Interpretations SL
Mathematics Analysis & Approaches SL
Mathematics Analysis & Approaches HL

Arts*

Visual Arts
Theatre Studies
Music

*There is the option to replace Arts with another subject from the Science, Individuals and Societies, or Languages category.

Wellbeing and Guidance

GESS is an international school that believes academic success and student wellbeing are deeply interconnected. When students feel supported, confident, and understood, they are far more likely to thrive not just in the classroom but in every aspect of their lives. That’s why we’ve made significant investments in both wellbeing and guidance, creating a high school environment where every student is known, valued, and empowered. From targeted academic support to personalised university and career counselling, our approach ensures that students are well-prepared for their next steps, equipped not only with strong results but with the self-awareness, resilience, and life skills to flourish beyond school.

After School Subject Support (Grades 11 and 12)
We offer tutoring sessions twice a week for English, mathematics and science subject groups to provide an extra avenue for students to clarify doubts, reinforce understanding of concepts, and work on weaker areas.

Study Hall Sessions (Grades 11 and 12)

Free periods in the day are converted to study hall sessions where students can focus on assignments, project work, and revision under teacher supervision.

University and Career Guidance

Grade 11

Weekly lessons guide students through selecting universities, choosing suitable undergraduate degree courses, and preparing for university applications. Topics covered include university application processes, writing personal statements, and preparing for admissions interviews.

Grade 12

Weekly lessons focusing on preparing students for life after school. Students explore what it means to live and study independently at university, learning the essential life skills they need to thrive. They also learn about building impressive career profiles, including securing the right internships, effective networking, and utilising LinkedIn effectively.

Graduate Outcomes and University Destinations

GESS graduates leave school with a portfolio of experiences and achievements that open doors to exceptional universities around the world. To find out more about our university acceptances, please visit Our Students page.

United Kingdom

University College London, King’s College London, Durham University, University of Bath, University of Manchester, University of Reading, University of Bristol, University of Southampton

Canada

University of Toronto, York University, University of the Fraser Valley, McMaster University

United States

New York University, University of California, Los Angeles, Boston University, Parsons School of Design

Australia

Monash University, The University of Western Australia, Griffith University

Singapore

Nanyang Technological University, LASALLE College of the Arts

Europe

Technical University of Munich, INSEAD, University of Amsterdam, ESSEC Business School

Entry requirements

GESS is a non-selective international school and we welcome students with diverse talents and abilities that meet our high school requirements.

C1 Advanced level of English
CEM Baseline online assessment
English Placement Test for applicants from a non-English medium school
No prior knowledge of German language is required
Reference letter from previous school
School reports
Entry into language programmes is subject to minimum proficiency levels

IB Careers Programme

Learning Beyond the Classroom

IB Diploma Programme

Wellbeing and Guidance

Graduate Outcomes and University Destinations

Entry requirements

IB Careers Programme

For students who wish for a more career-focused study in a specialised field, the IB Careers Programme is a great choice. It balances academic study with experiential, career-related learning. Students gain in-depth subject knowledge in their area of specialisation, gain hands-on project experience, and develop personal and professional skills that prepare them for the 21st-century working world.

At GESS, Business and Sustainability is the specialised pathway offered for the IB Careers Program. Given predictions that by 2030, there will be 24 million jobs in the green economy, this pathway provides students with a highly desirable skill set and expertise for the future job market.

There are three components to the IB Careers Programme:

Career-Related Studies
Diploma Programme Courses
IB Careers Program Core

Career-Related Studies

Business and Sustainability (SUMAS)
Given predictions that by 2030 there will be 24 million jobs in the green economy, this pathway provides students with a highly desirable skill set for the future job market. Students pursue business and sustainability management courses delivered online by SUMAS professors and tutors, studying in a global classroom that connects GESS learners with peers from around the world.

Examples of mandatory courses:

Fundamentals of Sustainability

Leadership

Sustainable Innovation

Examples of specialist courses:

Sustainable Fashion

Sustainable Finance and Digitalisation

Nature Conservation

Students will also apply their learning through a Sustainability Leadership Camp and an Integrative Project Experience.

Creative Arts and Design (SCAD)

In partnership with the Savannah College of Art and Design, students explore a wide range of creative disciplines — from digital media and fashion marketing to graphic design and photography. The pathway nurtures creative thinking, design skills, and entrepreneurial mindsets essential for tomorrow’s creative industries.

Examples of SCAD courses include:

Foundation Studies (STEM)

Foundation Studies – Digital Media Majors (STEM)

Foundation Studies & Liberal Arts

Foundation Studies & Liberal Arts (No Drawing Required)

Advertising & Branding (STEM)

Graphic Design (STEM)

Interactive Design & Game Development (STEM)

Photography

Sequential Art

Fashion Marketing & Management

Social Strategy & Management (STEM)

Custom Track

This pathway enables students to discover their creative strengths, build professional portfolios, and connect with industry-leading mentors and peers from across the world.

Sports Management (WAoS)

Through the World Academy of Sport, students gain a professional understanding of sports business, leadership, and athlete management. This pathway is ideal for those passionate about the global sports industry, combining theory with real-world examples from international sporting organisations.

Diploma Programme Courses

As part of the IBCP, students select IB Diploma Programme (DP) courses that best complement their chosen Career-related Study. This combination ensures a balanced education that develops both academic depth and practical expertise.

Business and Sustainability (SUMAS): Students often select Business Management and Economics, which strengthen their understanding of global markets, sustainable business strategies, and ethical decision-making.

Creative Arts and Design (SCAD): Many students choose Visual Arts and Design Technology, which support creative expression, design innovation, and technical skill development essential for the creative industries.

Sports Management (WAoS):

Students typically select Sports, Exercise and Health Science and Business Management, allowing them to explore both the physical and commercial aspects of the global sports sector.

This tailored approach empowers students to connect their academic learning directly with their future career aspirations.

IB Career-related Programme Core

The IBCP Core includes Personal and Professional Skills, Service Learning, Language Development, and the Reflective Project. Together, these components foster ethical awareness, intercultural understanding, and professional confidence — qualities that prepare GESS students to thrive in the modern world.

Learning Beyond the Classroom

Our award-winning BeyondClassrooms programme offers students a unique insight into the workings of today’s top industries, global companies, and organisations. It demonstrates to students the power of their knowledge and how it can serve as a starting point for achieving practical, impactful outcomes in the real world. Students gain a perspective on the exciting education and career pathways ahead of them and can make more informed decisions about their future.

The many initiatives in the BeyondClassrooms Programme:

Internships with leading global companies
Industry expert talks
Site and factory visits
Career counselling and guidance from professionals
Mentorship with industry leaders
Opportunities to collaborate on projects

We work with remarkable partners such as:

BMW – manufacturer of luxury vehicles and motorcycles
Danfoss – an engineering and sustainable innovation company
Evonik – a speciality chemicals company
Alba Berlin – a professional basketball club based in Berlin
Invitrocue – a bio-analytics solutions provider

School Trips and Enrichment Activities

Our school trips and enrichment activities challenge students to step out of their comfort zones and participate in experiences that foster character growth, promote intercultural understanding and encourage meaningful engagement with diverse communities and the environment.

Past school trips and enrichment activities have included:

Social Project in India and Cambodia
Language Trips

IB Diploma Programme

Language and Literature

English A
Danish A
Dutch A
German A
Other Mother Tongues (Korean, Mandarin, Hindi, Swedish, French, Spanish, and more)

Language Acquisition

English B
French B or Ab initio
Mandarin B
German B
Spanish B or Ab initio

Individuals and Societies

Geography
History
Economics
Business Management
Psychology

Science

Biology
Chemistry
Physics
Design Technology
Computer Science
Sports, Exercise, and Health Science

Mathematics

Mathematics Applications & Interpretations SL
Mathematics Analysis & Approaches SL
Mathematics Analysis & Approaches HL

Arts*

Visual Arts
Theatre Studies
Music

*There is the option to replace Arts with another subject from the Science, Individuals and Societies, or Languages category.

Wellbeing and Guidance

GESS is an international school that believes academic success and student wellbeing are deeply interconnected. When students feel supported, confident, and understood, they are far more likely to thrive not just in the classroom but in every aspect of their lives. That’s why we’ve made significant investments in both wellbeing and guidance, creating a high school environment where every student is known, valued, and empowered. From targeted academic support to personalised university and career counselling, our approach ensures that students are well-prepared for their next steps, equipped not only with strong results but with the self-awareness, resilience, and life skills to flourish beyond school.

After School Subject Support (Grades 11 and 12)
We offer tutoring sessions twice a week for English, mathematics and science subject groups to provide an extra avenue for students to clarify doubts, reinforce understanding of concepts, and work on weaker areas.

Study Hall Sessions (Grades 11 and 12)

Free periods in the day are converted to study hall sessions where students can focus on assignments, project work, and revision under teacher supervision.

University and Career Guidance

Grade 11

Weekly lessons guide students through selecting universities, choosing suitable undergraduate degree courses, and preparing for university applications. Topics covered include university application processes, writing personal statements, and preparing for admissions interviews.

Grade 12

Weekly lessons focusing on preparing students for life after school. Students explore what it means to live and study independently at university, learning the essential life skills they need to thrive. They also learn about building impressive career profiles, including securing the right internships, effective networking, and utilising LinkedIn effectively.

Graduate Outcomes and University Destinations

GESS graduates leave school with a portfolio of experiences and achievements that open doors to exceptional universities around the world. To find out more about our university acceptances, please visit Our Students page.

United Kingdom

University College London, King’s College London, Durham University, University of Bath, University of Manchester, University of Reading, University of Bristol, University of Southampton

Canada

University of Toronto, York University, University of the Fraser Valley, McMaster University

United States

New York University, University of California, Los Angeles, Boston University, Parsons School of Design

Australia

Monash University, The University of Western Australia, Griffith University

Singapore

Nanyang Technological University, LASALLE College of the Arts

Europe

Technical University of Munich, INSEAD, University of Amsterdam, ESSEC Business School

Entry requirements

GESS is a non-selective international school and we welcome students with diverse talents and abilities that meet our high school requirements.

C1 Advanced level of English
CEM Baseline online assessment
English Placement Test for applicants from a non-English medium school
No prior knowledge of German language is required
Reference letter from previous school
School reports
Entry into language programmes is subject to minimum proficiency levels

Useful Links

School Fees

Application guide

BeyondClassrooms

Learning Resources

Learning Support

Brochures

School brochure

Preschool brochure

IB Primary brochure

IB Secondary brochure