Apply
Term 1 to Term 3 (between January and early September)
If your child is seeking admission during term 1 to 3 of the academic year, submit the Application Form for School Placement for Returning Singaporeans within 3 months of intended date of school admission. For example, for your child to start school in July, you should submit the form in April.
Term 4 (around mid-September to November)
To ensure that your child has a good learning experience, schools typically do not accept new students during term 4 from around mid-September to November.
If you apply for admission during term 4 of the academic year, we will process your application for admission in the following academic year instead. We will notify you of the outcome in December as it is when schools confirm their vacancies for the following academic year.
- Your child is encouraged to return to Singapore by the first quarter of the year as it would allow your child to start school early in the academic year with the rest of their peers.
- If a permanent Singapore address is not available at the point of application, provide your intended residential area in Singapore.
- In some cases where there may be a slight delay in processing, we remain committed to ensuring that every Singapore Citizen and Permanent Resident child will be offered a school place by mid-January.
Receive notification
We will identify 2 or 3 schools that have vacancies for you, based on the residential address indicated in your application form.
If there is only 1 school with vacancies near your residential address, we will place your child in that school. This will take approximately 3 working days if your application for admission is during term 1 to term 3 of the academic year.
Confirm school choice
Once a school place is confirmed, it will be guaranteed and reserved for your child. Contact the school to arrange for any pre-admission procedures once you have received the school offer letter from MOE.
Take school-based tests and interview
The school can conduct school-based tests and/or interview to determine the level and class or course/posting group for your child before they start school.
Prepare for school
Contact the school for information on how to purchase new uniforms and textbooks. Learn how to prepare your child for the transition to primary school or secondary school.