School culture
Visit schools' websites and to get a sense of the schools’ culture, ethos and environment.
Last Updated: 07 Oct 2025
Secondary 1 (S1): How to choose schools
2. Consider schools' offerings
Based on your child's strengths, interests, learning styles and PSLE results, find out more about the schools that are suitable for them.
Co-Curricular Activities (CCAs)
Choose schools offering CCAs that align with your child’s interests and potential.
Programmes and curriculum
The different curriculum and school-specific opportunities in secondary schools are designed to offer a well-rounded education and cater to the diverse interests and talents of students.
Find out more about:
Location and transportation
Consider transportation options, including how your child will commute to school and the travel time required.
School type
Choose a school type (for example, government, government-aided, independent) that suits your child. Financial assistance and scholarships are available to support Singapore Citizens in their education.
You have additional considerations when choosing these schools:
Special Assistance Plan (SAP) Schools
SAP schools aim to deliver a bilingual and bicultural education through a learning environment steeped in Chinese culture and language. Here's what you need to know:
- If your child has taken both English and Chinese language subjects at the PSLE, they may opt for SAP schools.
- They do not need to have taken Higher Chinese Language (HCL) in primary school to apply for an SAP school.
- Students who obtained Pass, Merit or Distinction in HCL and have a PSLE score of 14 or better (i.e. PSLE score ≤ 14) are eligible for a posting advantage when applying to SAP schools.
Affiliated schools
For priority admission to the affiliated secondary school, your child must:
- Indicate the affiliated school as their first choice.
- Meet the additional qualifying criteria set by some secondary schools for students from their affiliated primary schools.
Among students with affiliation priority, those with better PSLE scores will be considered first. However, admission is not guaranteed as it is subject to vacancies.
At least 20% of the vacancies in each Posting Group of each school will be allocated to students who do not benefit from affiliation priority.
Affiliated secondary schools with dual-track programmes
For dual-track schools offering both Integrated Programme (IP) and the Singapore-Cambridge Secondary Education Certificate (SEC), affiliation considerations apply only to the SEC.
How it works
In the below scenarios, school A is an affiliated secondary school while school B is not.
Scenario 1
- 1st choice: School A - SEC
- 2nd choice: School A - Integrated Programme
Affiliation priority will be given only for the 1st choice.
Scenario 2
- 1st choice: School A - Integrated Programme
- 2nd choice: School A - SEC
Affiliation priority will be given only for the 2nd choice.
Scenario 3
- 1st choice: School B - Integrated Programme
- 2nd choice: School A - SEC
No affiliation priority will be given.
The SEC will replace the GCE O-Level and N-Level examinations in 2027.
Special needs support
If your child has special needs, for example, hearing loss, visual or physical impairment, choose a school with specialised facilities or resources that can support them.
Learn more about special educational support in schools.