Secondary 1 (S1): How to choose schools

Visit schools' websites and their open houses to have a sense of the different schools’ culture, ethos and environment.

Depending on your child’s PSLE score, they will be posted to secondary school through three Posting Groups - Posting Groups 1, 2 and 3. Posting Groups are only used for the purpose of posting students into secondary school and to guide the initial subject levels that they can offer at the start of Secondary 1 (S1). 

Students posted through Posting Group 3 will take all subjects at the most academically demanding level at G3. Students posted through Posting Group 2 and Posting Group 1 will take most subjects at G2 and G1, respectively.

Under Full SBB, students posted through Posting Group 2 and Posting Group 1 have the option to take English Language, Mathematics, Science, and/or Mother Tongue Languages at more academically demanding levels if they have performed well in these subjects at PSLE. Learn more about Posting Groups under Full SBB.

Secondary schools offer various programmes, subjects and CCAs to develop students in various areas. Choose schools which offer CCAs and learning programmes that can nurture your child in their areas of interest and develop their potential.

Think about transportation options, such as how your child will get to school, and the travelling time required.

Choose a school type (for example, government, government-aided, independent) that suits your child. If your child is a Singapore Citizen, financial assistance and scholarships are available to help them attend the school of their choice.

SAP schools aim to deliver a bilingual and bicultural education through a learning environment steeped in Chinese culture and language. If your child has taken both English and Chinese language subjects at the PSLE, they may opt for SAP schools. Students posted to SAP schools are required to take Higher Chinese Language or Chinese Language so that they can participate meaningfully in SAP school programmes.

For priority admission to the affiliated secondary school, your child must indicate that school as first choice. However, admission is not guaranteed as it is still subject to vacancies. Some secondary schools also have additional qualifying criteria for students from their affiliated primary schools.

For dual-track schools offering both Integrated Programme (IP) and the Singapore-Cambridge Secondary Education Certificate (SEC) Programme, affiliation considerations will only be given for SEC Programme.

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.