Go directly to content

Independent Schools, Special Assistance Plan (SAP) Schools, Autonomous Schools and Niche Programme Schools

Independent Schools

Independent Schools enjoy autonomy in setting their own scale of fees, in the admission of pupils, implementation of school programmes and administration. They conform to national education policies, such as the bilingual policy and the teaching of Civics and Moral Education. For more information on Independent Schools (eg school fees, school programmes), please refer to the schools' websites.

Special Assistance Plan (SAP) Schools

The Special Assistance Plan (SAP) Schools are government, government-aided or Independent Schools. These schools were well-established Chinese-medium schools in the past. The ethos and environment of SAP schools enable the pupils to be effectively bilingual in both English and Chinese and also inculcate in them traditional values in a Chinese school environment.

Pupils who are in the top 10% of the PSLE cohort may offer Higher Chinese in SAP schools. Pupils who are in the top 11% - 30% of the PSLE cohort and meet the language criteria may offer Higher Chinese in SAP schools as well. The language criteria are:

Schools will also have the flexibility to allow pupils who do not meet the above criteria to offer Higher Chinese, if they are assessed to have exceptional ability in Chinese and are able to do Higher Chinese without affecting their performance in other subjects.

Autonomous Schools

Autonomous Schools may be government or government-aided schools and are given greater autonomy and more funds. This is to enable them to provide a wider range of innovative and enrichment programmes so as to enhance education benefits and develop the talents of pupils. The Autonomous Schools adhere to broad education policies set by the Ministry of Education and admission is based on merit and choice. The class size is the same as that of other government and government-aided schools. Autonomous Schools, however, may charge an additional miscellaneous fee of between $3 and $18 per month compared with other government and government-aided schools to cover the costs of the enhanced educational programmes offered.

Niche Programme Schools

Niche Programme Schools are mainstream secondary schools (non-independent and non-autonomous schools) with niche programmes approved by MOE to offer discretionary places for the purpose of building up their niche programmes. This allows a more diverse range of pupil achievements and talents to be recognised and gives due recognition to abilities not fully assessed in the PSLE.

Discretionary Places for Independent Schools, Autonomous Schools and Niche Programme Schools

Autonomous Schools and Independent Schools may admit Secondary One pupils to the discretionary places under the Direct School Admission (DSA-Sec) Exercise, subject to a cap of 10% and 20% of the cohort for Autonomous Schools and Independent Schools respectively. Niche Programme Schools may admit Secondary One pupils with niche-related talents to the discretionary places in their declared niches, subject to a cap of 5% of the cohort for the Niche Programme Schools. Pupils who are given a discretionary place from a school under the DSA-Sec Exercise would be admitted to the school provided that they are eligible for one of the courses offered by the school [i.e. Express/ Normal (Academic)/ Normal (Technical)].

Each school would have a set of detailed procedures and merit-based and transparent criteria for the selection of pupils. For example, the Autonomous and Independent Schools may consider pupils with abilities that are not reflected in their PSLE aggregate, such as a special ability in mathematics or higher mother tongue, or those who have other non-academic talents that the schools wish to develop. Parents are advised to approach the schools directly to find out more about the details.

Please refer to the list of Independent Schools, SAP Schools, Autonomous Schools and Niche Programme Schools (56kb .pdf).

Specialised Schools

Singapore Sports School

All PSLE pupils who have represented their schools in inter-primary schools sports competitions or have talent or physical attributes to succeed in the sports offered by the Singapore Sports School are invited to apply for a place in the Singapore Sports School. Applications for enrolment into the Singapore Sports School have to be made directly to the school. For more details, please refer to the Singapore Sports School.

Regardless of whether a pupil is interested in enrolling in the Singapore Sports School, all PSLE pupils must participate in the Sec One Posting Exercise. Upon release of the posting results, pupils who wish to study in the Singapore Sports School can then seek a formal school transfer from their posted secondary school to the Singapore Sports School. This will also facilitate their readmission to the mainstream secondary school system should they decide subsequently to leave the Singapore Sports School.

The National University of Singapore High School of Mathematics and Science (NUS High School)

The National University of Singapore High School of Mathematics and Science (NUS High School) is a specialised independent school providing six years of holistic education that emphasizes critical thinking, independent learning, peer tutoring, problem-solving, research and excellence in mathematics and science within a broad-based curriculum. Components such as Character education and CCAs are also included. Pupils will be encouraged to appreciate the learning of a mother tongue as a second language in addition to English. Mathematics and Sciences are presented in an integrated manner to enable pupils a multi-dimensional view and comprehensive understanding of a concept. Humanities, Music and Art will form another cluster of disciplines that complement Mathematics and Sciences.

Opportunities are provided for pupils to undergo an accelerated Mathematics and Sciences curriculum at all levels. Pupils could participate in advanced research and do advanced placement courses at NUS. Access to library and laboratory facilities in NUS will be available for project work. The NUS High School has a one-year residential stay for all Year Five pupils to inculcate a spirit of belonging, develop their leadership potential and nurture a sense of responsibility to society and community via a wide range of boarding activities.

Graduation requirements are based on a credit system. Upon completion of a minimum number of modular credits, pupils graduate with a NUS High School Diploma. Admission to local universities requires only the NUS High School Diploma as entry requirements. All pupils will also sit for the Scholastic Aptitude Tests (SAT I) and a number of Advanced Placement (AP) examinations. These internationally recognized qualifications would enable the pupils to gain direct admission to major overseas universities.

Pupil intake will be in January of each calendar year. Interested pupils may apply to the school through the MOE Direct School Admission (DSA-Sec) Exercise or through Direct Application to the school (after the release of PSLE Results). Pupils will be assessed by one or more of the following indicators:

  1. Academic performance in school, particularly in (but not restricted to) the areas of mathematics and science;
  2. Teachers’ recommendations on pupil’s learning aptitude and academic potential with supporting observation and analysis;
  3. Performance in activities during the mathematics and science camp organized by the NUS High School;
  4. Performance in admission test or interview; and
  5. Results in the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE).

More information is available at the NUS High School website.

School of the Arts (SOTA)

The School of the Arts (SOTA) offers a six-year connected arts and academic programme which celebrates experimentation, expression and discovery. The curriculum aims to develop in the pupil intellectual agility, a spirit of inquiry, creativity and the ability to see meaningful connections between disciplines through authentic real world contexts.

The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma

At Year Six, pupils will sit for the internationally recognised IB Diploma as their graduating qualification. The IB Diploma programme offers a complete and broad-based curriculum covering six areas: Language A1 (English Literature), Mother Tongue (Chinese, Malay, Tamil), the Humanities, Mathematics, Science and the Arts (Dance, Music, Theatre, Visual Arts).

Daily dedicated time for talent development is provided throughout the six years. Practical, theoretical and experiential education will be enriched through elective modules and master classes with experts in the field. Pupils will also be exposed to arts disciplines outside their area of specialisation through SOTA’s foundation arts programme from Years One to Two. Collaborating with external organisations will allow pupils to work with external experts on real world projects while applying their knowledge in authentic settings. Pupils will also participate in exchange and talent development programmes through partnerships with arts schools globally. SOTA’s values-centred active citizenry programme will develop into the CAS (Creativity, Action, Service) module in the IB Diploma years. The SOTA physical education programme provides healthy recreation, while instilling self-discipline, teamwork and confidence in the pupils.

The IB Programme will equip pupils with in-depth analysis and inquiry in their academic disciplines and specialist arts discipline, which is aligned with the IB core requirements of Theory of Knowledge, Extended Essay and Creativity, Action, Service (CAS).

The Years Leading Up to the IB

The guiding principle of SOTA’s curriculum design builds connections between disciplines for purposeful and meaningful learning, and enduring understanding. The curriculum is organised into: Foundation Programme in Years One to Three; the Pre-IB Programme in Year Four; and the IB Diploma Programme in Years Five and Six. The Foundation Years offer pupils an enriched curriculum which focuses on their all-round artistic growth and academic development. Learning in and outside the classroom helps pupils develop critical thinking, creative awareness and inter-personal skills that are relevant to an active citizen living in an increasingly globalised world. The Pre-IB programme builds on the diverse connected curriculum of the Foundation Years to provide pupils with flexibility in choosing their subjects in the IB Years. All pupils are also prepared with the technical know-hows of new media and technologies with SOTA’s Media Education programmes taught through full Apple-Mac ICT platforms.

More information is available at the SOTA website