How to choose a suitable secondary school for your child – Top 5 Secondary Schools in West side of Singapore

 

Top 5 Most Popular Secondary Schools in the West (Clementi / Buona Vista / Jurong)

With the release of PSLE results in 2025, most parents will be relieved to say goodbye to a significant milestone in their children’s lives and embark on four or six years journey in a Secondary School. 

How to choose the right school for your child? 

Selecting a secondary school is a pivotal decision that can significantly influence your child’s academic journey and personal growth. Beyond just academic performance, a secondary school plays a vital role in nurturing a well-rounded individual, preparing them to face the challenges of an ever-evolving world.

When making this important choice, it’s essential to consider several key factors:

School Culture and Co-Curricular Activities (CCA)

Understanding the school’s culture and its offerings in co-curricular activities (CCAs) is crucial. A school’s ethos and values should resonate with your child’s aspirations, creating an environment where they can flourish. Look for a diverse range of CCAs, from sports to the arts, as these programs are instrumental in character-building and holistic development. They not only enhance social skills and teamwork but also provide opportunities for leadership and personal expression.

Quality of Teaching Staff

While it may be challenging to gauge the quality of the teaching staff, the importance of a supportive and conducive learning environment cannot be overstated. A positive school atmosphere can greatly impact your child’s motivation and success. Consider visiting the school, attending open houses, and speaking with current students and parents to get a sense of the teaching quality and overall environment.

Curriculum and Language Emphasis

It’s also important to consider the curriculum and any specific language emphasis. For instance, some schools may have a strong focus on Mother Tongue (such as a second language, such as Mandarin, along with cultural studies.) While this can be beneficial for many students, it may not suit everyone. Make sure to evaluate whether the school’s approach aligns with your child’s strengths and interests.

Conclusion

Choosing the right secondary school is more than just a decision about academics; it’s about finding a nurturing environment that supports your child’s overall development. By carefully considering school culture, teaching quality, curriculum focus, and personal expression, you can make an informed choice that aligns with your child’s needs and aspirations. Take the time to visit potential schools, engage with the community, and trust your instincts. Your involvement in this process is key to ensuring your child thrives in their educational journey.

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With this in mind, let’s take a look at the top 5 most popular secondary schools in the West side of Singapore, particularly Clementi/Buona Vista and Jurong.

 

1.River Valley High School 

River Valley High School (立化中学)is a Special Assistance Plan (SAP) Autonomous school in Singapore.

Located at Jurong West / Boon Lay, a stone throw from the popular Jurong Point Mall, River Valley is an IP school but it has been admitting JC students via the Joint Admissions Exercise (JAE) from 2019. O-Level students interested in the JC route and who would like an experience in an Integrated Programme (IP) school can also apply to the school. Do note however, as a SAP school, River Valley will assess your child’s ability to cope with their RVIP Chinese Language Programme so student who take Higher Chinese in primary school will have a slight advantage.

There is NO Affiliation for this school and only PSLE students eligible for IP programme will be admitted. 

Admission Criteria: PSLE Cut Off Points for River Valley High School 2023 

Affiliated Non-affiliated
Integrated Programme 4(M) – 9(M)
Posting Group 3
Posting Group 2

Posting Group 1

Niche SPORTS: Floorball (A Division Floorball Girls: Champion), Table Tennis Championships (B Division Boys & Girls – 2nd), Netball, Badminton 

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Niche ARTS/MUSIC: Chinese Orchestra (JC/Sec): Distinction, Dance, Chinese dance (Sec): Distinction

CCA available:

(Source:RV Prospectus) 

2. Anglo Chinese Secondary (Independent) IP School (International Baccalaureate) 

Located at Dover Road, just bordering Clementi, ACS Independence is a  prestigious boys school which offers O’levels and IP (International Baccalaureate) Programmes at Secondary Level. Students can gain affiliation admission for O’level track and not the IP track. 

ACS is a dual track school. IP stands for Integrated Programme – a six-year through train course. Students spend six years in ACS (Independent) and are not required to sit for the Singapore-Cambridge GCE O-Level Examination (now known as Singapore-Cambridge Secondary Education Certificate Examination) except for Mother Tongue Language at Year 4 (Secondary 4). In their fifth and sixth years, IP students will do the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) which is an established pre-university course of study. ACS (Independent)’s IP students will sit for the IB Diploma Examination, not the Singapore-Cambridge GCE A-Level Examination. 

The local universities recognise and accept the IB Diploma. University admission will depend on the university and the course applied for. The IB Diploma is a very well-recognised international pre-university qualification. To help your child navigate through IB Diploma, you can reach out to our team of IB Trained Tutors who are highly experienced. Whatsapp us today for an IB  English Language LiteratureTutor. 

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Admission Criteria: PSLE Cut Off Points for Anglo Chinese Independence School 2023 

Affiliated Non-affiliated
Integrated Programme

4 – 7
Posting Group 3 (Express) 7 – 13 7 – 8
Posting Group 2

Posting Group 1

Niche SPORTS: Water Polo, Basketball, Badminton, Cross Country, Golf, Rugby, Cricket, Bowling, Swimming, Track 

Niche ARTS/MUSIC: Music Elective Programme 

3. Nan Hua High School

Located at Clementi Ave 1, next to Church of the Holy Cross, this is a popular feeder school for students from Nan Hua Primary School. Although the school bears no academic affiliation to Nan Hua Primary, the history and culture of these two schools largely intertwined. 

Admission Criteria: PSLE Cut Off Points for Nan Hua High School 2023 

Affiliated Non-affiliated
Posting Group 3 (Express) 6(D) – 11
Posting Group 2
Posting Group 1

Niche SPORTS: Track & Field, Softball Netball, Badminton, Table Tennis

Niche ARTS/MUSIC: Chinese Orchestra, Dance, Chinese dance, Concert Band, Choir, Harp Ensemble 

4. Commonwealth Secondary School 

Location: Jurong/West Coast (near Teban Gardens)

Admission Criteria: PSLE Cut Off Points for Commonwealth Secondary School 2023 

Affiliated Non-affiliated
Posting Group 3 (Express)

8 – 15

Posting Group 2 21 – 23
Posting Group 1

25 – 27

Niche SPORTS: Cross Country, Badminton, Netball (Girls), Basketball (Boys) & Soccer (Boys)

Niche ARTS/MUSIC: Performing Arts – Band, Choir, Malay Dance, Chinese Dance (Girls), Indian Dance, Drama

Niche COMPUTING/SCIENCE: Environmental Science / Coding

 

5. Fairfield Methodist Secondary School 

Location: Dover / Clementi 

Admission Criteria: PSLE Cut Off Points for Fairfield Methodist Secondary School 2023 

Affiliated Non-affiliated
Posting Group 3 (Express)

8 – 20

8 – 10
Posting Group 2

21 – 24

21 – 21
Posting Group 1 25 – 28 25 – 26

Niche SPORTS: Football, Badminton, Volleyball (Girls), Basketball (Boys) 

Niche ARTS/MUSIC: Performing Arts – Band, Choir, Modern Dance

 

Hope these information on PSLE cut off points are useful for parents considering Secondary One Admission.

That’s not all, get in touch with us and let us link you up with our team of current and former MOE teachers / tutors to get the extra boost in helping your child excel in IP / IB programmes. Our strong team of tutors are available for your selection and hail from prestigious schools like NJC, Hwa Chong, RI, VJC, SJI and many more.

Get in touch with us for a tutor today. Our tutors are highly experienced, former MOE teachers trained in IB Language Literature, English Literature, General Paper, O’levels Secondary English and more. 

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Want free resources to help you in English? Check out our FREE Secondary One English 1184 Package

 

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