School of the Arts Singapore (SOTA) ✓ ACRA Verified
About School of the Arts Singapore (SOTA)
About School of the Arts Singapore (SOTA)
School of the Arts Singapore (SOTA) is a specialised pre-tertiary arts institution located at 1 Zubir Said Drive, offering an integrated arts and academic curriculum for students in Years 1 to 6 (Secondary 1 to Junior College 2 equivalent). It is KakiList-verified and ACRA-registered. The school holds a 4.5/5 rating across 249 Google reviews — a robust sample. Pricing is on a monthly recurring basis, positioned in the mid-range ($$) for Singapore's specialised school landscape.
SOTA offers a dual-track programme that combines rigorous academic study with conservatory-level training across disciplines including dance, music, theatre, visual arts, and literary arts. Prospective families should evaluate whether the arts specialism aligns with their child's assessed aptitude and long-term goals — entry requires an audition or portfolio assessment in addition to academic screening. The full annual cost picture extends beyond tuition to include examination fees, production and materials levies, and transport; families should request an itemised fee schedule directly from the school. As a government-aided specialised school, SOTA operates under MOE oversight rather than CPE EduTrust regulation, and fee structures differ from those of private international schools — Singapore Citizens, PRs, and international students are charged at different rates.
To take the first step, contact SOTA directly via phone or the enquiry form on their website to confirm current intake timelines, the audition and application process for your child's intended year of entry, and the full cost breakdown by citizenship status.
Services Offered
Is School of the Arts Singapore (SOTA) legit?
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Verified by KakiListA real person confirmed operating details and contact channel.
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ACRA registeredCross-checked against Singapore's official ACRA business registry.
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4.5/5 from 249 Google reviewsRobust sample size.
Visit during school hours, verify the school's regulatory status and current fee schedule on the MOE website, and get the full cost (tuition + levies + transport/meals) and refund policy in writing before paying.
Google Reviews ⭐ 4.5 (249 reviews)
K Tan
★★★★☆
SOTA building @ Orchard Road showcases a very artistic and modern architectural design that is truly eye-catching. Its unique facade and creative structure make it stand out beautifully along the bustling Orchard Road, reflecting its role as a centre for the arts.
J C
★★☆☆☆
The school's exterior looks impressive. The interior looks like a pile of tall concrete with no paint and soulless. There is no art. Didn't see any art in public spaces. Not sure if the whole idea is to look like a soviet union canteen but the interior looks souless just like many government schools. I thought an art school should be inspiring, creative and nice. I am an artistic person, I would expect it looks inspiring. Meaning when I walk in, I feel the Art in this building, Interior and Exterior. The floor concrete on the outside looks old and broken. There is no signs of baby trolley, handicap access at the front entrance for people to navigate their way in. There are a few floors of halls for drama, theater etc. The school lacks of character and soul. On top of that, the canteen stall (fried fish burger) didn't taste any good. Fried with old oil. Didn't eat thereafter. The canteen fruit juice is dishonest. Serve 3 cups of coconut juice with fresh inside and the juice is made up of syrup and water. All three tasted the same too. We drank coconut all our lives so we could tell the difference. The highly concentrate sugar content is a killer for diabetics and people who cannot consume sugar. I confronted the lady at the stall (there were one man and woman) and she denied it. She said it is 100%coconut. We knew she is lying so we asked of her to show us the coconut (they claimed they served into a cup, threw the coconut away) Coconut needs to serve fresh and she didn't keep any all any coconut? We told her one of us is diabetic so she could come clean if not one of us might lost a leg and she insisted they were right. A dishonest vendor. What a disappointment.
Dru Lu
★★★★★
Know nothing about the school but what an incredibly beautiful building. Happy that the building seems to be fully open again after couple years of covid restrictions. Loitered to the public gallery on 2nd floor where some of student’s works are on display. Mostly photography and cartoon style drawing. Very quiet on a weekend afternoon.
Bhaskar Singapore
★★★★☆
Great place for Dram, music and such activities and graduation. Building architecture is excellent
Samantha Tan
★★★★★
Went to SOTA for the first time ever to see an art exhibition, SOTA P6 Art Competition 2022. It is very near to NAFA at Bencoolen St and we decided to swing by after picking my son from his art class there. I like the design of the SOTA building especially the brown ‘panels’ and wondered what was the material used. I took the chance to touch it … it’s concrete! The photos here are some of the art work that I like … I like the designs, colors, vibrancy and I’m surprised at the level of maturity these artwork show from our 12 year olds. Which of these do you like from my selection?
School of the Arts Singapore (SOTA) vs other providers in Singapore
Side-by-side with the next three highest-rated international schools providers on KakiList, so you can see how School of the Arts Singapore (SOTA) stacks up at a glance.
| Provider | Google Rating | Reviews | Years | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| School of the Arts Singapore (SOTA) (this page) | ⭐ 4.5 | 249 | — | ✓ |
| Which School Advisor | ⭐ 5.0 | 200 | — | ✓ |
| Rain Trees International Kindergarten | ⭐ 5.0 | 53 | — | ✓ |
| Cambridge Pre-School | ⭐ 5.0 | 23 | — | ✓ |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does School of the Arts Singapore (SOTA) charge?›
SOTA's fees vary by citizenship status and year of study. Singapore Citizens pay significantly lower monthly fees under MOE's government-aided school framework, while Permanent Residents and international students are charged at progressively higher tiered rates. Unlike fully private international schools, SOTA does not typically charge a building fund or non-refundable enrolment fee of the scale seen at independent schools, though a registration fee and miscellaneous levies (arts materials, production costs, examination fees) apply on top of tuition. Transport and meals are additional costs families should factor in. Because SOTA operates under MOE rather than CPE EduTrust, its fee structure is more transparent and published annually — contact the school's finance office or check the MOE website for the current fee schedule. See the full International Schools cost guide for Singapore →
What curriculum does School of the Arts Singapore (SOTA) offer and what university pathways does it support?›
SOTA offers a six-year integrated programme combining the Singapore-Cambridge GCE O-Level curriculum (Years 1–4) with the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) in Years 5–6, alongside specialised arts training throughout. The IB Diploma is broadly recognised by universities worldwide, with particular strength for admissions to arts conservatoires, design schools, and liberal arts universities in the UK, US, Europe, and Asia. Class sizes are small relative to mainstream schools, supporting intensive arts mentorship alongside academic study. SOTA publishes IB results and university destination data periodically — families should request the most recent cohort outcomes directly from the school's admissions team to assess fit with their child's aspirations.
How do I get my child enrolled at School of the Arts Singapore (SOTA)?›
Entry to SOTA is selective and requires both an academic component and an arts audition or portfolio submission — academic merit alone is insufficient. The main intake is at Year 1 (Secondary 1 equivalent), with occasional mid-year vacancies in higher year groups. Application periods typically open in the second half of the calendar year for the following January intake, and competition for places in popular arts disciplines can be high. Families should begin preparing their child's audition portfolio well in advance and attend SOTA's open house or information sessions to understand what assessors look for. Confirm the application timeline, arts discipline requirements, and fee schedule directly with the school's admissions office before the registration window opens.