7 things to consider when choosing a secondary school in Singapore

May 10, 2019

1 / 8 Child's personality, strengths and interests
Opt for schools with an environment, ethos and culture that resonate and best suit your kid’s personality and learning style. Schools also have distinctive programmes that nurture a child’s strengths and interests – or even improve an area of weakness.

Related: Choosing a secondary school: The new appeal rule you must know about

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2 / 8 Affiliated schools
There are 27 secondary schools affiliated to primary schools with links to religious and clan associations. This allows your kid to study there at a lower cut-off score. But if your kid wants to continue in the affiliated secondary school, she must indicate that school as her first choice.

Related: PSLE changes: How will school affiliation advantage be affected?

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3 / 8 Academic fit
Experts generally suggest that you choose a school that fits your kid’s academic ability, so she won’t struggle under the pressure. Under the new secondary school streaming changes starting from 2020, 25 secondary schools will offer also full subject-based banding. This means students can take subjects at a higher or lower level, depending on their abilities. Read more about the changes here.

Related: Everything you need to know about Direct School Admission

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4 / 8 Distance between school and home
Kids in secondary school spend longer hours in school than primary schoolers. So, choosing one that’s closer to home would reduce travel time and fatigue.

Related: How to help your kid ace the Direct School Admission interview

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5 / 8 O levels/Integrated Programme (IP)
Some kids are more suited to the more structured framework of the O levels, while those who are self-directed in learning might prefer the Integrated Programme that skips the O levels and leads to the A levels or other diplomas.

Related: Integrated Programme vs O levels: 6 things parents must know

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6 / 8 Specialised schools
Specialised schools like the School of the Arts, the Singapore Sports School or the School of Science and Technology, Singapore serve students who believe they have the talent and potential to grow in their mastery of a field such as aesthetics, sports, mathematics or science. These schools are designed to provide students with maximum opportunities to excel in those fields.

Related: Direct School Admission 2019 changes and important dates every Singapore parent needs to know

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7 / 8 Special needs
Pupils in mainstream schools with mild special educational needs, such as dyslexia or Autism Spectrum Disorder, may want to check if the secondary schools have the experience and resources to support students with similar types and levels of need.

Related: Singapore children with special needs will get more help after graduation

Some schools differ in the degree to which they are resourced with Allied Educators (Learning and Behaviour Support).

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8 / 8 Secondary school open house dates, DSA changes and other useful links
For dates of school open houses in 2019, click here.

For Direct School Admission changes, click here.

For secondary school streaming changes, click here.

For the education and career development platform for students, click here.

A version of this article first appeared in The Straits Times. Additional input from Associate Professor Jason Tan and Associate Professor Kenneth Poon from the National Institute of Education.

(Photos: Singapore Press Holdings)

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Child's personality, strengths and interests Opt for schools with an environment, ethos and culture that resonate and best suit your kid’s personality and learning style. Schools also have distinctive programmes that nurture a child’s strengths and interests – or even improve an area of weakness. Related: Choosing a secondary school: The new appeal rule you must know about Affiliated schools There are 27 secondary schools affiliated to primary schools with links to religious and clan associations. This allows your kid to study there at a lower cut-off score. But if your kid wants to continue in the affiliated secondary school, she must indicate that school as her first choice. Related: PSLE changes: How will school affiliation advantage be affected? Academic fit Experts generally suggest that you choose a school that fits your kid’s academic ability, so she won’t struggle under the pressure. Under the new secondary school streaming changes starting from 2020, 25 secondary schools will offer also full subject-based banding. This means students can take subjects at a higher or lower level, depending on their abilities. Read more about the changes here. Related: Everything you need to know about Direct School Admission Distance between school and home Kids in secondary school spend longer hours in school than primary schoolers. So, choosing one that’s closer to home would reduce travel time and fatigue. Related: How to help your kid ace the Direct School Admission interview O levels/Integrated Programme (IP) Some kids are more suited to the more structured framework of the O levels, while those who are self-directed in learning might prefer the Integrated Programme that skips the O levels and leads to the A levels or other diplomas. Related: Integrated Programme vs O levels: 6 things parents must know Specialised schools Specialised schools like the School of the Arts, the Singapore Sports School or the School of Science and Technology, Singapore serve students who believe they have the talent and potential to grow in their mastery of a field such as aesthetics, sports, mathematics or science. These schools are designed to provide students with maximum opportunities to excel in those fields. Related: Direct School Admission 2019 changes and important dates every Singapore parent needs to know Special needs Pupils in mainstream schools with mild special educational needs, such as dyslexia or Autism Spectrum Disorder, may want to check if the secondary schools have the experience and resources to support students with similar types and levels of need. Related: Singapore children with special needs will get more help after graduation Some schools differ in the degree to which they are resourced with Allied Educators (Learning and Behaviour Support). Secondary school open house dates, DSA changes and other useful links For dates of school open houses in 2019, click here. For Direct School Admission changes, click here. For secondary school streaming changes, click here. For the education and career development platform for students, click here. A version of this article first appeared in The Straits Times. Additional input from Associate Professor Jason Tan and Associate Professor Kenneth Poon from the National Institute of Education. (Photos: Singapore Press Holdings)