Secondary School Ranking: Where To Find Information, How To Choose Schools

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For Primary 6 students in Singapore, the school-based preliminary exams will typically be held in August. Based on the results, you will have an indication of how your child might fare for the national exams, i.e. the PSLE or Primary School Leaving Examination.

This is also the time to check out secondary schools based on their cut-off points, so that you can shortlist some ‘dream’ and ‘safety’ schools. Need a refresher on how PSLE scores are calculated? Please refer to this guide.

To avoid pinning unrealistic hopes on your child, you can use this approach:

  • Identify one or two secondary schools that are just slightly out of reach for your child, based on their preliminary exam scores. For instance, if your child scores 14 or 15 points during the prelims, you could look at secondary schools with a cut-off point of 12 or 13. Discuss these schools with your child, and see if they express a preference. A child may seek a familiar environment, such as an affiliated secondary school, or a school that an older sibling is studying in. Or they may view certain schools as ‘good’ simply because of what the adults around them are saying. For high-ability or highly motivated children, they may already know what they want, as they might have researched schools on their own.
  • Shortlist a handful of secondary schools where your child meets the cut-off point. Look out for factors that may appeal to your child, e.g. the school is nearby or has a good range of co-curricular activities.
  • Keep in mind a few secondary schools that accept students with a wide range of scores, in case the unexpected happens. These will be your child’s safety schools. Make the effort to identify the strengths of these schools, such as good values and a nurturing school culture. You can do this by talking to others in your network, or seeking advice on local forums.

Where to Find Secondary School Ranking Lists

The most accurate source of information would be the Ministry of Education’s SchoolFinder page. Here, you can shortlist schools by various criteria, including cut-off points, subjects offered, proximity to your home, and more. It’s a highly convenient way to browse secondary schools, and you would be assessing schools based solely on your child’s needs, rather than by ranking schools in order of their student profiles.

However, if you prefer to view school data on a single chart or page, you can refer to unofficial data sources, such as:

If your child is academically strong, you would likely have your eye on Integrated Programme or IP schools, which offer six-year courses leading to the GCE A-Level exams in Year 6. The big draw of such schools is that students will not take the GCE O-Level exams in Year 4, freeing up their time for quality learning. 

There are 16 IP schools that allow entry via the PSLE results, and these are generally considered to be the top secondary schools by many parents. We’ve listed them below, in alphabetical order. Some of these schools also offer O-Level programmes, while others are strictly IP schools:

How Important is Home-School Distance?

Every decision involves a trade-off, which is why it’s best to discuss this as a family. 

For many families, schools that are less than an hour away by public transport are still considered convenient. With new public transport developments such as the opening of stations along the Thomson-East Coast MRT line, many schools will be more accessible in the near future. 

That said, it is great to have a school located just one or two train stops away, or better yet, within walking distance. Commuting does take up significant time and energy, so it really boils down to the quality of life that is important to your child.

If location will be a key factor in your decision making, here are some questions to consider:

  • If the cost of transport is not a factor, should we say no to a growth opportunity in favour of convenience? 
  • Is there a secondary school at a nearby location that can offer the same benefits?
  • Are there plans to relocate the school, due to upgrading works?

How Important is School Culture?

When we talk about school culture, we are referring to the values and relationships that affect how a school operates. For instance, schools with religious ties are expected to focus strongly on values such as kindness and generosity, and some parents prefer such schools for a more well-rounded and inclusive environment. Or if schools have a strong alumni network, this often leads to better support in areas such as funding and career guidance. 

Ultimately, these are the factors that are important for every student in a secondary school:

  • Safety: A student should feel physically and emotionally safe at all times.
  • Support: The academic environment must be conducive for all students to learn and grow.
  • Connection: There should be a steady flow of positive interactions between students, teachers, and other stakeholders of the school, such as parent networks.
  • Belonging: Students should have a sense of pride about their school.

To find out if a school has a healthy culture, you can talk to current students and their parents, as well as teachers.

Are Co-Ed Schools or Single Sex Schools Better?

Some parents prefer single-sex secondary schools to minimise distractions. Others like a co-ed setting, as it reflects the mixed gender environments that children will face later in life.  

If you’re not sure what’s best for your child, you can read this guide and weigh the factors for yourself.

Will a Competitive Environment Suit My Child?

Research has suggested that low-ability students should remain in a less competitive environment, while middle-ability students could be more motivated if they are placed alongside high-ability students. If students are of a high ability, they may not be significantly affected by their environments.

Apart from ability, you may also want to consider your child’s motivation levels. A highly motivated child has a better chance of thriving in most environments, as compared to a child who always needs an external push to do better.

Parents also differ in their opinions on this — some go to great lengths to protect their children from pressure, while others want their children to compete so that they can be more resilient. If you’re not sure what suits your child’s ability and learning disposition, do ask your child’s teachers for advice.

Want to chat with other parents about secondary schools? Join a conversation on the KiasuParents forum!