Which Secondary School to Enrol Your Child In?

Congratulations on your child’s PSLE score! Whether you’re proud of your child or you believe your child has potential not reflected in their PSLE score, the next chapter of your child’s education presents a whole new, exciting endeavour. Secondary school is an important milestone for your child’s holistic development. The question you may have now is "Which secondary school should my child enrol in?" Before you panic-Google cut-off points and rank schools purely by numbers, take a breath. Let me share what actually matters when making this decision:

1. Cut-off point: This is expectedly your first consideration. It acts as a starting point as to what schools may be suitable and compatible with your child’s learning potential and needs. However, it’s crucial that you don’t just stop here - consider the other factors listed below.

2. Your child’s learning style: some students thrive in competitive environments while others prefer low stress environments to reach their full potential. Consider which would benefit your child more. After all, secondary school spans four of the most formative years of one’s life.

3. Availability and strengths of CCAs: Ask your child what their hobbies and interests are. Some schools excel in certain areas more than others. A child who can pursue their interests alongside academics is a happier, more balanced student. Don't sacrifice their spark for a marginally "better" school ranking.

4. Full subject-based banding: Cut-off points of schools are not the end-all, be-all of a student’s competency. Students can still challenge themselves with G3 subjects where they excel.

5. Travel time: Two hours of daily commuting isn't just inconvenient. It's two hours less sleep. Two hours less study time. Two hours less family time. It might be better to choose a school closer to home than the school with the lowest cut-off point.

6. Culture: Visit schools during open houses, talk to current students and get a feel of the culture in the school beyond academics. Ensure this is a place your child can feel at ease in.

7. Special Assistance Plan (SAP) schools: If your child is skilled in Chinese and English, you may want to consider enrolling them into a SAP school. While SAP schools students do not necessarily have to take Higher Chinese, those who do may enjoy academic advantages such as exemption from H1 Chinese in Junior College and potential point deductions for their O-Levels.

Bearing in mind these factors, let’s look at how you can rank schools strategically.

1. Consider schools you and your child genuinely like the most (especially if there is an affiliated school you like) - these should be ranked higher up.

2. Consider schools with cut-off points that match your child’s score - these are your realistic options that should be ranked after those in point 4 above.

3. Consider safety schools - schools with cut-off points slightly higher than your child’s score that you are confident your child would be accepted in.

If your child is worried about transitioning to secondary school - whether it's the academic demands, the new environment or just general uncertainty - remember that support is available. Building a strong English foundation early makes everything else easier.

Ready to set your child up for success? Contact us at 8083 8986 for a FREE trial class where we help students develop the critical thinking and writing skills they'll need to thrive in secondary school and beyond.

You've got this!

Yours truly,

Jolyn