Grade Placement

GESS International School is a non-selective, holistic international school. We welcome applications from all families that align with the school’s values and seek a high-quality holistic education. With a diverse student population of 70 nationalities, GESS places students into a grade based on the child's age on 31 July. We recognise that applicants are applying to GESS from different school systems and calendars and placing a student into a grade based on age ensures students are grouped together with similar social and developmental abilities.

For more information about how the international school 12-grade system compares to other education systems, please read our grade comparison page or contact our Admissions Team for more information.

Find out your child's grade placement

Grade	Age for the grade	2023-24	2024-25
Pre-Kindergarten	Age 2 – 3	Aug 2020 - Jul 2021	Aug 2021 - Jul 2022
Kindergarten 1	Age 3 – 4	Aug 2019 - Jul 2020	Aug 2020 - Jul 2021
Kindergarten 2	Age 4 – 5	Aug 2018 - Jul 2019	Aug 2019 - Jul 2020
Pre-Primary	Age 5 – 6	Aug 2017 - Jul 2018	Aug 2018 - Jul 2019
Grade 1	Age 6 – 7	Aug 2016 - Jul 2017	Aug 2017 - Jul 2018
Grade 2	Age 7 – 8	Aug 2015 - Jul 2016	Aug 2016 - Jul 2017
Grade 3	Age 8 – 9	Aug 2014 - Jul 2015	Aug 2015 - Jul 2016
Grade 4	Age 9 – 10	Aug 2013 - Jul 2014	Aug 2014 - Jul 2015
Grade 5	Age 10 – 11	Aug 2012 - Jul 2013	Aug 2013 - Jul 2014
Grade 6	Age 11 – 12	Aug 2011 - Jul 2012	Aug 2012 - Jul 2013
Grade 7	Age 12 – 13	Aug 2010 - Jul 2011	Aug 2011 - Jul 2012
Grade 8	Age 13 – 14	Aug 2009 - Jul 2008	Aug 2010 - Jul 2011
Grade 9	Age 14 – 15	Aug 2008 - Jul 2007	Aug 2009 - Jul 2008
Grade 10	Age 15 – 16	Aug 2007 - Jul 2006	Aug 2008 - Jul 2007
Grade 11	Age 16 – 17	Aug 2006 - Jul 2005	Aug 2007 - Jul 2006
Grade 12	Age 17 – 18	Aug 2005 - Jul 2004	Aug 2006 - Jul 2005

First grade age: How old are students in grade 1?

Second grade age: How old are students in grade 2?

Third grade age: How old are students in grade 3?

Fourth grade age: How old are students in grade 4?

Fifth grade age: How old are students in grade 5?

Sixth grade age: How old are students in grade 6?

Seventh grade age: How old are students in grade 7?

Eight grade age: How old are students in grade 8?

Ninth grade age: How old are students in grade 9?

Tenth grade age: How old are students in grade 10?

Eleventh grade age: How old are students in grade 11?

Twelfth grade age: How old are students in grade 12?

First grade age: How old are students in grade 1?

Students in grade 1 are 6-7 years old. Applicants need to be 6 years old by 31 July of the year of entry. Grade 1 at GESS is the equivalent of first grade in the US Education System and year 2 in the British Education System. The Singapore Education System follows a January to December school calendar and children join Primary 1 (P1), which is the first year of primary school, in the year the child turns 7 years old. Children transferring from K2 in a Singapore preschool will join either pre-primary or grade 1 due to the difference in the school calendars.

Second grade age: How old are students in grade 2?

Students in grade 2 are 7-8 years old. Applicants need to be 7 years old by 31 July of the year of entry. Grade 2 at GESS is the equivalent of second grade in the US Education System and year 3 in the British Education System. The Singapore Education System follows a January to December school calendar and depending on when the child was born, a child moving from a Singapore primary school might join grade 2 or grade 3 at GESS. The second year of primary school in the Singapore Education System is called Primary 2 (P2).

Third grade age: How old are students in grade 3?

Students in grade 3 are 8-9 years old. Applicants need to be 8 years old by 31 July of the year of entry. Grade 3 at GESS is the equivalent of third grade in the US Education System and year 4 in the British Education System. The Singapore Education System follows a January to December school calendar and depending on when the child was born, a child moving from a Singapore primary school might join grade 3 or grade 4 at GESS. The third year of primary school in the Singapore Education System is called Primary 3 (P3).

Fourth grade age: How old are students in grade 4?

Students in grade 4 are 9-10 years old. Applicants need to be 9 years old by 31 July of the year of entry. Grade 4 at GESS is the equivalent of fourth grade in the US Education System and year 5 in the British Education System. Primary 4 (P4) is the fourth year of primary school in the Singapore Education System, however, a child transferring to GESS might join grade 4 or 5, depending on the month they were born. This is due to the difference in school calendars.

Fifth grade age: How old are students in grade 5?

Students in grade 5 are 10-11 years old. This is the year of primary school at GESS. Applicants need to be 10 years old by 31 July of the year of entry. Grade 5 at GESS is the equivalent of fifth grade in the US Education System and year 6 in the British Education System. Primary 5 (P5) is the fifth year of primary school in the Singapore Education System, however, a child transferring to GESS might join grade 5 or 6, depending on the month they were born. This is due to the difference in school calendars.

Sixth grade age: How old are students in grade 6?

Students in grade 6 are 11-12 years old. This is the first year of middle school at GESS. Applicants need to be 11 years old by 31 July of the year of entry. Grade 6 at GESS is the equivalent of sixth grade in the US Education System and year 7 in the British Education System. Primary 6 (P6) is the last year of primary school in the Singapore Education System, however, a child transferring to GESS might join grade 6 or 7, depending on the month they were born. This is due to the difference in school calendars. Students in P6 take the Primary School Leaving Exams (PSLE).

Seventh grade age: How old are students in grade 7?

Students in grade 7 are 12-13 years old. Applicants need to be 12 years old by 31 July of the year of entry. Grade 7 at GESS is the equivalent of seventh grade in the US Education System and year 8 in the British Education System. Secondary 1 (Sec 1) is the first year of secondary school in the Singapore Education System. A child transferring to GESS after the Primary School Leaving Exams (PSLE) might join grade 6 or 7, depending on the month they were born. This is due to the difference in school calendars.

Eight grade age: How old are students in grade 8?

Students in grade 8 are 13-14 years old. This is the last year of middle school at GESS. Applicants need to be 13 years old by 31 July of the year of entry. Grade 8 at GESS is the equivalent of eighth grade in the US Education System and year 9 in the British Education System. Secondary 2 (Sec 2) is the second year of secondary school in the Singapore Education System. A child transferring to GESS from a Singapore secondary school might join grade 8 or 9. This is because of the difference in school calendars and age placement dates.

Ninth grade age: How old are students in grade 9?

Students in grade 9 are 14-15 years old. This is the first year of high school at GESS. Applicants need to be 14 years old by 31 July of the year of entry. Grade 9 at GESS is the equivalent of ninth grade in the US Education System and year 10 in the British Education System. Students in year 10 of the British Education System start the two-year GCSE or iGCSE exam programme. In the Singapore Education System, grade 9 is the equivalent of Secondary 3 (Sec 3) although an applicant transferring to GESS might join grade 9 or 10 depending on the month they were born. This is because of the difference in school calendars and age placement dates.

Tenth grade age: How old are students in grade 10?

Students in grade 10 are 15-16 years old. This is the second year of high school at GESS. Applicants need to be 15 years old by 31 July of the year of entry. Grade 10 at GESS is the equivalent of tenth grade in the US Education System and year 11 in the British Education System. Students in year 11 of the British Education System are in the second year of the GCSE or iGCSE exam programme. In the Singapore Education System, grade 10 is the equivalent of Secondary 4 (Sec 4). Students in Secondary 4 Express Stream sit for O-Level exams. Students in the Normal Academic Stream will usually sit for O-Level exams in Secondary 5 (Sec 5).

Eleventh grade age: How old are students in grade 11?

Students in grade 11 are 16-17 years old. This is the first year of the two-year IB Diploma Programme at GESS. Applicants need to be 16 years old by 31 July of the year of entry. Grade 11 at GESS is the equivalent of eleventh grade in the US Education System and year 12 in the British Education System. Students in year 12 of the British Education System start the two-year A-Level Examination Programme. In the Singapore Education System, students who completed O-Levels in Secondary 4 (Sec 4), transfer to Junior College and start studying for the GCE A-Level Programme.

Twelfth grade age: How old are students in grade 12?

Students in grade 12 are 17-18 years old. This is the last year of the two-year IB Diploma Programme and the last year of studies at GESS. Generally, applications to grade 12 are not accepted. Grade 12 at GESS is the equivalent of twelfth grade in the US Education System and year 13 in the British Education System. Year 13 is the final year of the A-Level Examination Programme.

First grade age: How old are students in grade 1?

Second grade age: How old are students in grade 2?

Third grade age: How old are students in grade 3?

Fourth grade age: How old are students in grade 4?

Fifth grade age: How old are students in grade 5?

Sixth grade age: How old are students in grade 6?

Seventh grade age: How old are students in grade 7?

Eight grade age: How old are students in grade 8?

Ninth grade age: How old are students in grade 9?

Tenth grade age: How old are students in grade 10?

Eleventh grade age: How old are students in grade 11?

Twelfth grade age: How old are students in grade 12?

First grade age: How old are students in grade 1?

Students in grade 1 are 6-7 years old. Applicants need to be 6 years old by 31 July of the year of entry. Grade 1 at GESS is the equivalent of first grade in the US Education System and year 2 in the British Education System. The Singapore Education System follows a January to December school calendar and children join Primary 1 (P1), which is the first year of primary school, in the year the child turns 7 years old. Children transferring from K2 in a Singapore preschool will join either pre-primary or grade 1 due to the difference in the school calendars.

Second grade age: How old are students in grade 2?

Students in grade 2 are 7-8 years old. Applicants need to be 7 years old by 31 July of the year of entry. Grade 2 at GESS is the equivalent of second grade in the US Education System and year 3 in the British Education System. The Singapore Education System follows a January to December school calendar and depending on when the child was born, a child moving from a Singapore primary school might join grade 2 or grade 3 at GESS. The second year of primary school in the Singapore Education System is called Primary 2 (P2).

Third grade age: How old are students in grade 3?

Students in grade 3 are 8-9 years old. Applicants need to be 8 years old by 31 July of the year of entry. Grade 3 at GESS is the equivalent of third grade in the US Education System and year 4 in the British Education System. The Singapore Education System follows a January to December school calendar and depending on when the child was born, a child moving from a Singapore primary school might join grade 3 or grade 4 at GESS. The third year of primary school in the Singapore Education System is called Primary 3 (P3).

Fourth grade age: How old are students in grade 4?

Students in grade 4 are 9-10 years old. Applicants need to be 9 years old by 31 July of the year of entry. Grade 4 at GESS is the equivalent of fourth grade in the US Education System and year 5 in the British Education System. Primary 4 (P4) is the fourth year of primary school in the Singapore Education System, however, a child transferring to GESS might join grade 4 or 5, depending on the month they were born. This is due to the difference in school calendars.

Fifth grade age: How old are students in grade 5?

Students in grade 5 are 10-11 years old. This is the year of primary school at GESS. Applicants need to be 10 years old by 31 July of the year of entry. Grade 5 at GESS is the equivalent of fifth grade in the US Education System and year 6 in the British Education System. Primary 5 (P5) is the fifth year of primary school in the Singapore Education System, however, a child transferring to GESS might join grade 5 or 6, depending on the month they were born. This is due to the difference in school calendars.

Sixth grade age: How old are students in grade 6?

Students in grade 6 are 11-12 years old. This is the first year of middle school at GESS. Applicants need to be 11 years old by 31 July of the year of entry. Grade 6 at GESS is the equivalent of sixth grade in the US Education System and year 7 in the British Education System. Primary 6 (P6) is the last year of primary school in the Singapore Education System, however, a child transferring to GESS might join grade 6 or 7, depending on the month they were born. This is due to the difference in school calendars. Students in P6 take the Primary School Leaving Exams (PSLE).

Seventh grade age: How old are students in grade 7?

Students in grade 7 are 12-13 years old. Applicants need to be 12 years old by 31 July of the year of entry. Grade 7 at GESS is the equivalent of seventh grade in the US Education System and year 8 in the British Education System. Secondary 1 (Sec 1) is the first year of secondary school in the Singapore Education System. A child transferring to GESS after the Primary School Leaving Exams (PSLE) might join grade 6 or 7, depending on the month they were born. This is due to the difference in school calendars.

Eight grade age: How old are students in grade 8?

Students in grade 8 are 13-14 years old. This is the last year of middle school at GESS. Applicants need to be 13 years old by 31 July of the year of entry. Grade 8 at GESS is the equivalent of eighth grade in the US Education System and year 9 in the British Education System. Secondary 2 (Sec 2) is the second year of secondary school in the Singapore Education System. A child transferring to GESS from a Singapore secondary school might join grade 8 or 9. This is because of the difference in school calendars and age placement dates.

Ninth grade age: How old are students in grade 9?

Students in grade 9 are 14-15 years old. This is the first year of high school at GESS. Applicants need to be 14 years old by 31 July of the year of entry. Grade 9 at GESS is the equivalent of ninth grade in the US Education System and year 10 in the British Education System. Students in year 10 of the British Education System start the two-year GCSE or iGCSE exam programme. In the Singapore Education System, grade 9 is the equivalent of Secondary 3 (Sec 3) although an applicant transferring to GESS might join grade 9 or 10 depending on the month they were born. This is because of the difference in school calendars and age placement dates.

Tenth grade age: How old are students in grade 10?

Students in grade 10 are 15-16 years old. This is the second year of high school at GESS. Applicants need to be 15 years old by 31 July of the year of entry. Grade 10 at GESS is the equivalent of tenth grade in the US Education System and year 11 in the British Education System. Students in year 11 of the British Education System are in the second year of the GCSE or iGCSE exam programme. In the Singapore Education System, grade 10 is the equivalent of Secondary 4 (Sec 4). Students in Secondary 4 Express Stream sit for O-Level exams. Students in the Normal Academic Stream will usually sit for O-Level exams in Secondary 5 (Sec 5).

Eleventh grade age: How old are students in grade 11?

Students in grade 11 are 16-17 years old. This is the first year of the two-year IB Diploma Programme at GESS. Applicants need to be 16 years old by 31 July of the year of entry. Grade 11 at GESS is the equivalent of eleventh grade in the US Education System and year 12 in the British Education System. Students in year 12 of the British Education System start the two-year A-Level Examination Programme. In the Singapore Education System, students who completed O-Levels in Secondary 4 (Sec 4), transfer to Junior College and start studying for the GCE A-Level Programme.

Twelfth grade age: How old are students in grade 12?

Students in grade 12 are 17-18 years old. This is the last year of the two-year IB Diploma Programme and the last year of studies at GESS. Generally, applications to grade 12 are not accepted. Grade 12 at GESS is the equivalent of twelfth grade in the US Education System and year 13 in the British Education System. Year 13 is the final year of the A-Level Examination Programme.

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