As early as 1948, the American Association of Malaya considered establishing a school in Singapore. But it was not until 1952, when 130 children showed up at the American Club’s Christmas Party, that the Association moved forward with the idea of starting a school. By 1955 the whole American community had embraced the idea, and the first goal of raising $100,000 was met by donations from individuals and almost forty companies.

Singapore American School opened on January 3, 1956, in a large colonial house at 15 Rochalie Drive. It included only elementary and junior high students as older students were settled in boarding schools outside of Singapore. From the beginning, Singapore American School accepted students of all backgrounds; the original 98 students included 57 Americans and 41 from other nations.

Classes took place in the house’s former bedrooms, garage, and servants’ quarters, and the grounds included a softball field and basketball court. Under the lease conditions, a local family continued to live on the property, and their chickens ran underfoot.

The school day started at 8:15 a.m., and included singing “God Save the Queen” in assembly, held in the former dining room. As there was no air-conditioning, the cooler morning hours were reserved for academic classes. Students went home for lunch and a rest, and returned at 3:00 p.m. for music, PE, art, drama, and other enrichment activities.

In its first few years, the school developed enduring traditions. High school classes began, and in July 1958 the first SAS commencement ceremony saw sole senior Louise Feng receiving her diploma at the American Club. Students voted on a team name and the “Eagles” were born; soon there were Eagles playing fast-pitch softball, volleyball, and basketball. A cheerleading squad appeared at games, and local spectators were amazed. The first plays were performed. The Islander yearbook appeared in 1958, and the first junior-senior prom took place in 1959. The PTA organized a “fun fair,” the forerunner of today’s International Fair, to raise money for the basketball court. And from the beginning, students wore white uniform tops and navy blue bottoms.

Outside the school gates, Singapore was going through a turbulent time. Demands for self-government, anger over high prices and unemployment, strikes by labor unions, demonstrations by local student groups, disagreements between and within different ethnic groups, among other factors, led to a sense of instability. Through all of this, Singapore American School served as a concrete symbol of the confidence with which most resident Americans viewed Singapore’s future. With elections in 1959, Singapore achieved full internal self-government. The People’s Action Party, led by Lee Kuan Yew, came to power promising to address Singapore’s economic, social, and political problems. By the end of the decade, Singapore seemed to be on the road to stability and the school was bursting at the seams with over 250 students. The outlook was bright.