<![CDATA[What goes into choosing a suitable Secondary School]]>Hi there,


Recently a relative asked me how I choosed my kid’s Secondary School and I kind of got a shock, I had no answer. It was simply just based on the results.

My relative came then with a list of important factors that he thought would be helpful to help his kid cope with the stresses of school. I thought that I would help him make this post to help him make a better decision (the kid will be going into the Secondary School in next year).

So here goes, considering grades what else should he look out for?

1. School culture, e.g. ACS(I) sports-based, etc

2. Distance from home

3. Academic achievements, many secondary schools nowadays have banners and posters up showing the various achievements that they have.

4. Any others?

I gave personally told him to look out for culture and results, but are there more? I have browsed through most of the threads but have not come to a solid conclusion. So help, please?

Thank you

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/topic/5023/what-goes-into-choosing-a-suitable-secondary-schoolRSS for NodeSat, 18 Apr 2026 02:48:35 GMTTue, 18 Aug 2009 06:43:19 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to What goes into choosing a suitable Secondary School on Wed, 08 Nov 2023 10:45:43 GMT]]>

marmalade\" post_id=\"2111777\" time=\"1687991691\" user_id=\"40817:

Try All 6 from IP first ? 😄
Hi Kaisuism, any chance to work on the above ? 😓

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2122300https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2122300Wed, 08 Nov 2023 10:45:43 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to What goes into choosing a suitable Secondary School on Wed, 28 Jun 2023 22:34:51 GMT]]>

kaisuism\" post_id=\"2109206\" time=\"1684735077\" user_id=\"199574:

All 6 from IP or all 12? difficult lah if there is no shortlist 😓
Try All 6 from IP first ? 😄

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2111777https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2111777Wed, 28 Jun 2023 22:34:51 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to What goes into choosing a suitable Secondary School on Wed, 28 Jun 2023 09:41:52 GMT]]>

blackyv\" post_id=\"2111464\" time=\"1687596694\" user_id=\"56432:

thanks for the suggestion. btw, My gal didnt take hcl therefore we try not to let her go to those emphasize in cl or need hcl as part pf the selection criteria. Actually i aslo like cedar, one of my niece went there and comment quite positive.
Can consider RGS since her results is consistent.
Distance from Punggol, RGS is nearer compare to TJC and more convenient .

Bring your girl to both schools open house after PSLE releases in Nov. Let her experience it anf both of you can decide together after the visit.

Don’t worry about HCL, your daughter will be able to catch up if she put in a bit more efforts in it.

Btw - in case you are not aware.

HCL in RGs is optional.
However, most of the girls will go for HCL.
It is an advantage to have HCL and get a O -level pass at Y4. With a pass, she has the option not to take H1 Chinese from Y5 onwards.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2111739https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2111739Wed, 28 Jun 2023 09:41:52 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to What goes into choosing a suitable Secondary School on Wed, 28 Jun 2023 00:38:08 GMT]]>Thanks mystique_j, Zac’s mum and keas. Very helpful!

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2111681https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2111681Wed, 28 Jun 2023 00:38:08 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to What goes into choosing a suitable Secondary School on Tue, 27 Jun 2023 12:08:44 GMT]]>

manorway\" post_id=\"2111511\" time=\"1687675576\" user_id=\"9303:

Do all track & field and sports CCA in Sec sch require selection prior to admission in Year 1?

Anyone has kids who could just enroll in Year 1 though no experience in Primary school? In Pri sch, I know some schools have recreation and competition teams for many popular CCAs, but not sure if the same applies to sec sch.
Yes, my first child attended a trial for T&F and cross country (XC) without any experience or even being sporty before. It just happened that the 2 months before the trial, we brought him along when we jogged, just for some exercise, not aware of the trial then. He was just very determined to get into any sport CCA because he didn’t want uniform group after being in one in primary school. And obviously without training or special sport related talents, running gives the best chance. Longer distance is all about hard work and perseverance.

He was selected for XC and “wait list” for T&F. He joined XC, but during training and NSG, XC boys can also compete in certain T&F events, based on personal best.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2111677https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2111677Tue, 27 Jun 2023 12:08:44 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to What goes into choosing a suitable Secondary School on Sun, 25 Jun 2023 07:48:59 GMT]]>

manorway\" post_id=\"2111511\" time=\"1687675576\" user_id=\"9303:

Do all track & field and sports CCA in Sec sch require selection prior to admission in Year 1?

Anyone has kids who could just enroll in Year 1 though no experience in Primary school? In Pri sch, I know some schools have recreation and competition teams for many popular CCAs, but not sure if the same applies to sec sch.
Secondary schools usually conduct CCA trials during or after Orientation in January. There are no recreational sports CCAs, not as far as I know. Those going in with no experience will just be at the bottom of the selection pile, after the experienced ones. No harm to go and try, but chances are v low.

Below is just an example of the (low) number of vacancies up for grabs for each sport CCA in one school, for an incoming cohort of 320 kids:

Rugby: 15
Water Polo: 9
Swimming 10
Table Tennis: 8
Tennis: 9
Track and Field: 9
Badminton: 8
Basketball: 9
Bowling: 11
Floorball: 10
Football: 10
Hockey: 9

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2111519https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2111519Sun, 25 Jun 2023 07:48:59 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to What goes into choosing a suitable Secondary School on Sun, 25 Jun 2023 07:30:13 GMT]]>

manorway\" post_id=\"2111511\" time=\"1687675576\" user_id=\"9303:

Do all track & field and sports CCA in Sec sch require selection prior to admission in Year 1?

Anyone has kids who could just enroll in Year 1 though no experience in Primary school? In Pri sch, I know some schools have recreation and competition teams for many popular CCAs, but not sure if the same applies to sec sch.
I think most sec schools do trials in the first few weeks of term 1 for the S1. There's usually like a CCA orientation, followed by trials. For some more popular sports like badminton, table tennis, it is highly competitive.. so usually those with experience and are good are selected, very limited places. For some sports, experience is not required but the students are being assessed based on their potential during trials. So far those sports that I know did not require past experience include fencing, softball, canoeing, shooting.. for these sports, I've heard of kids with no experience that were being selected after the trials but I believe it depends on the school as well.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2111517https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2111517Sun, 25 Jun 2023 07:30:13 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to What goes into choosing a suitable Secondary School on Sun, 25 Jun 2023 06:46:16 GMT]]>Do all track & field and sports CCA in Sec sch require selection prior to admission in Year 1?


Anyone has kids who could just enroll in Year 1 though no experience in Primary school? In Pri sch, I know some schools have recreation and competition teams for many popular CCAs, but not sure if the same applies to sec sch.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2111511https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2111511Sun, 25 Jun 2023 06:46:16 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to What goes into choosing a suitable Secondary School on Sat, 24 Jun 2023 08:51:34 GMT]]>

kaisuism\" post_id=\"2110787\" time=\"1686662199\" user_id=\"199574:

Since yours is a gal and given the location you are considering TJC, that means you can consider RGS, St Nicks, Cedar girls too as Punggol is not too far from those school.

thanks for the suggestion. btw, My gal didnt take hcl therefore we try not to let her go to those emphasize in cl or need hcl as part pf the selection criteria. Actually i aslo like cedar, one of my niece went there and comment quite positive.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2111464https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2111464Sat, 24 Jun 2023 08:51:34 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to What goes into choosing a suitable Secondary School on Tue, 13 Jun 2023 13:16:39 GMT]]>

blackyv\" post_id=\"2109821\" time=\"1685281334\" user_id=\"56432:

Thanks for the info on temasek jc. It's very helpful. My gal has very strong interest in science and recently during a family gathering , my sil suggested we should let her take IP if her result can make it. In her recent term 2 test, she gotten AL5 and she maintain similar result till psle, I guess not hard for the to get into tjc IP ..

We stay in punggol, any other IP offering School also some distance away...
Since yours is a gal and given the location you are considering TJC, that means you can consider RGS, St Nicks, Cedar girls too as Punggol is not too far from those school.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2110787https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2110787Tue, 13 Jun 2023 13:16:39 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to What goes into choosing a suitable Secondary School on Sun, 28 May 2023 13:42:14 GMT]]>Thanks for the info on temasek jc. It’s very helpful. My gal has very strong interest in science and recently during a family gathering , my sil suggested we should let her take IP if her result can make it. In her recent term 2 test, she gotten AL5 and she maintain similar result till psle, I guess not hard for the to get into tjc IP …


We stay in punggol, any other IP offering School also some distance away…

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2109821https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2109821Sun, 28 May 2023 13:42:14 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to What goes into choosing a suitable Secondary School on Fri, 26 May 2023 09:40:17 GMT]]>Thank you again for the details.


I think TJC is out of the equation coz it is move further away from us.

One thing I learnt through these forums is not to overthink or worry too much.

Thank you!

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2109702https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2109702Fri, 26 May 2023 09:40:17 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to What goes into choosing a suitable Secondary School on Fri, 26 May 2023 05:30:50 GMT]]>Btw, in case u did not know, for TJC:


“The school will relocate to 2 Tampines Avenue 9, Singapore 529564, from January 2024 to December 2027 (tentative), as the current campus will be undergoing upgrading.”

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2109646https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2109646Fri, 26 May 2023 05:30:50 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to What goes into choosing a suitable Secondary School on Fri, 26 May 2023 05:08:34 GMT]]>If u want to go O level route & aiming for IB JC, you can use O level grades to enter these 2 IB JCs under JAE. Note the COPs of 5 and 7 respectively.


https://i.imgur.com/4IUciDl.png\">

https://i.imgur.com/DHmOgRv.png\">

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2109639https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2109639Fri, 26 May 2023 05:08:34 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to What goes into choosing a suitable Secondary School on Fri, 26 May 2023 04:37:55 GMT]]>Yes.

(SJI and ACSI ) IB schools also offer IB to Sec 4 students, after their O-level.

In fact, both SJI and ACSI already started inviting DSA applications to Sec 4 students, who are interested in joining them in IB (Year 5).

The DSA exercise application is already open. We have reached towards the end of May. Time passes by so fast ! Take note of the closing date due, all 2023 Sec 4 students interested in DSA.

If u are really interested in IB schools, not so much keen on the A-level Junior Colleges, u can start applying to both ACSI and SJI. Choose that DSA domain, which you excel or are strong in.
Then,
see which school, between these two, offer you a DSA (CO or Wait-list), before u even sit for your O-level National exam.

If both schools concurrently offer you DSA CO, then u got to decide, yourself :-
which IB school, u prefer ?
SJI or ACSI ?

ACSI is located at Dover Road.
SJI is located centrally, nearby SCGS Girls' Secondary.


There is a virtual tour here, at SJI IB

https://ibdp-openhouse.sji.edu.sg/virtualmap

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2109630https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2109630Fri, 26 May 2023 04:37:55 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to What goes into choosing a suitable Secondary School on Fri, 26 May 2023 04:19:44 GMT]]>Thank you all for the messages. It is becoming clearer. I didn’t realize that one can join IB also after O level. Was wrongly thinking somehow it is not possible.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2109628https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2109628Fri, 26 May 2023 04:19:44 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to What goes into choosing a suitable Secondary School on Fri, 26 May 2023 03:32:17 GMT]]>

Avenue3\" post_id=\"2109589\" time=\"1685055516\" user_id=\"45412:

Thank you. Both have the interested CCAs. Except TJC is farther away. Is it worth it to travel more for IP......

Say AL 8 is achieved and my DD misses SCGS in balloting, then this dilemma appears for us.......
If she scores AL8, and got ballot out of first choice SCGS IP, next possible choices are,
TJC, RV cop AL9
Cedar O level cop AL9
Crescent, St Margaret cop AL11

TJC is coed, CGS is a girls sch. If distance is not an issue, most people will go for TJC, non sap, IP. Unless you prefer a girls sch.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2109625https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2109625Fri, 26 May 2023 03:32:17 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to What goes into choosing a suitable Secondary School on Fri, 26 May 2023 01:57:38 GMT]]>

phtthp\" post_id=\"2109608\" time=\"1685065832\" user_id=\"35251:

If Temasek JC is far while Crescent Girls' Secondary school is nearer your house, then choose Crescent Girls.

Travelling time, to and fro everyday, is crucial. I won't want to tired my child, just because of travelling. Everyday, from Mon to Fri, your daughter has to stay back for Ccas, some Talent development programme or some project group / team work discussion. Thus, travelling distance + time, are important factors.
Besides, Crescent Girls is a very good Secondary school, too. Your daughter is in safe hands.
When I was studying in Temasek, I would study from 5:30am to 10pm. Took the bus home at 10+pm. Read my notes on the bus some more 😂 Come to think of it, I must have been crazy.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2109611https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2109611Fri, 26 May 2023 01:57:38 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to What goes into choosing a suitable Secondary School on Fri, 26 May 2023 01:50:32 GMT]]>If Temasek JC is far while Crescent Girls’ Secondary school is nearer your house, then choose Crescent Girls.


Travelling time, to and fro everyday, is crucial. I won’t want to tired my child, just because of travelling. Everyday, from Mon to Fri, your daughter has to stay back for Ccas, some Talent development programme or some project group / team work discussion. Thus, travelling distance + time, are important factors.
Besides, Crescent Girls is a good Secondary school, too. Plus, u mentioned, have interesting Ccas. Your daughter is in safe hands.

If your daughter has passion in Maths or Science or Humanities areas,

perhaps, you can call up VP (Academic) Crescent Girls, ask him (her) to find out more :-
what sort of in house Talent Developmemt programme(s) are available, at both Lower Secondary & at Upper Sec level ?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2109608https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2109608Fri, 26 May 2023 01:50:32 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to What goes into choosing a suitable Secondary School on Thu, 25 May 2023 22:59:38 GMT]]>

phtthp\" post_id=\"2109586\" time=\"1685042026\" user_id=\"35251:

TJC is IP curriculum. No need to take O level exam. TJC is strong in Physics + Chem. If your kid has passion for Science, if TJC is convenient, then go TJC.

Crescent Girls used to offer strictly Express stream O level.

But now,
because of that \" G1, G2, G3 \" stuff,
they also start to admit Normal stream students, into Crescent Girls Secondary school ?

If you want O-level, not IP, then, go Crescent Girls. At least, after O level, if u want to change course to IB (SJI / ACSI) or go Polytechnic, or go to some other JC instead of Temasek JC, there is freedom & more flexibility options available. By then, your kid is more mature, in a better position to evaluate what exactly he (she) wants to pursue, in life.
Thank you for your views.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2109590https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2109590Thu, 25 May 2023 22:59:38 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to What goes into choosing a suitable Secondary School on Thu, 25 May 2023 22:58:36 GMT]]>

floppy\" post_id=\"2109579\" time=\"1685030595\" user_id=\"97579:

Is Din Tai Fung's xiao long bao better or Crave's nasi lemak better?

1. It's not an apple to apple comparison.
2. It does not take into account one's interests and preferences.
3. There are probably more things you can make up...
Thank you. Both have the interested CCAs. Except TJC is farther away. Is it worth it to travel more for IP......

Say AL 8 is achieved and my DD misses SCGS in balloting, then this dilemma appears for us.......

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2109589https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2109589Thu, 25 May 2023 22:58:36 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to What goes into choosing a suitable Secondary School on Thu, 25 May 2023 19:13:46 GMT]]>

Avenue3\" post_id=\"2109561\" time=\"1685015983\" user_id=\"45412:

Hi,

I would like to know if TJC-IP is better or Crescent girls O-level.

Thinking 6 months ahead to shortlist different schools based on expected AL score.

Thank you in advance for your views.
TJC is IP curriculum. No need to take O level exam. TJC is strong in Physics + Chem. If your kid has passion for Science, if TJC is convenient, then go TJC.

Crescent Girls used to offer strictly Express stream O level.

But now,
because of that \" G1, G2, G3 \" stuff,
they also start to admit Normal stream students, into Crescent Girls Secondary school ?

If you want O-level, not IP, then, go Crescent Girls. At least, after O level, if u want to change course to IB (SJI / ACSI) or go Polytechnic, or go to some other JC instead of Temasek JC, there is freedom & more flexibility options available. By then, your kid is more mature, in a better position to evaluate what exactly he (she) wants to pursue, in life.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2109586https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2109586Thu, 25 May 2023 19:13:46 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to What goes into choosing a suitable Secondary School on Thu, 25 May 2023 16:03:15 GMT]]>

Avenue3\" post_id=\"2109561\" time=\"1685015983\" user_id=\"45412:

...
I would like to know if TJC-IP is better or Crescent girls O-level.
...
Is Din Tai Fung's xiao long bao better or Crave's nasi lemak better?

1. It's not an apple to apple comparison.
2. It does not take into account one's interests and preferences.
3. There are probably more things you can make up...

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2109579https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2109579Thu, 25 May 2023 16:03:15 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to What goes into choosing a suitable Secondary School on Thu, 25 May 2023 11:59:43 GMT]]>Hi,


I would like to know if TJC-IP is better or Crescent girls O-level.

Thinking 6 months ahead to shortlist different schools based on expected AL score.

Thank you in advance for your views.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2109561https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2109561Thu, 25 May 2023 11:59:43 GMT