Secondary Schools Types in Singapore

In Singapore’s secondary education system, there are 5 types of schools: Government schools (including autonomous schools), Government-aided schools(including autonomous schools), Independent schools, Specialised independent schools and specialised schools. 

The majority of secondary schools offer three main streams, a 4-year Express course, a 5-year Normal Academic(NA) course leading up to the GCE O-level examination and a 5-year Normal Technical(NT) leading up to the GCE N-level examination. An exception is the Integrated Programme (IP) schools, which offer a 6-year course.  Students will graduate with either the GCE A-level examination or the International Baccalaureate(IB) Diploma Certificate. 

Government/Government-aided Autonomous Schools

Government/Government-aided autonomous schools follow the national syllabus, but offer a more extensive curriculum depending on each school’s teaching pedagogy. This offers students greater opportunities in exploring different areas and developing their talents. However, students attending autonomous schools need to pay the Autonomous School Fee ranging from $3 to $18 per month in addition to the basic school fees of $5 to $25 per month.(For Singapore Citizens)¹

List of Singapore Autonomous Schools

1 Anderson Secondary School
2 Anglican High School
3 Bukit Panjang Government High School
4 Catholic High School
5 Cedar Girls’ School
6 CHIJ Katong Convent
7 CHIJ Saint Nicholas Girls’ School
8 CHIJ Secondary (Toa Payoh)
9 Chung Cheng High School
10 Commonwealth Secondary School
11 Crescent Girls’ School
12 Dunman High School (Secondary)
13 Dunman Secondary School
14 Fairfield Methodist School (Secondary)
15 Maris Stella High School (Secondary)
16 Nan Hua High School
17 Ngee Ann Secondary School
18 Paya Lebar Methodist Girls’ School (Secondary)
19 River Valley High School (Secondary)
20 Saint Anthony’s Canossian Secondary School
21 St. Margaret’s Secondary School
22 Tanjong Katong Girls’ School
23 Tanjong Katong Secondary School
24 Temasek Secondary School
25 Victoria School
26 Xinmin Secondary School
27 Yishun Town Secondary School
28 Zhonghua Secondary School

Independent Schools

Independent Schools are given the freedom to develop their own school curriculum, programmes and set their school fees. This diverges from the usual national syllabus which provides students with more flexibility and opportunities to develop in specific areas. Hence, most independent schools offer the GCE O level, A level examinations or the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme.¹

A niche group of independent schools, Specialised Independent Schools(SIS), are available to students who have fervent interest and strong talent in Mathematics and Science, the Arts, Sports, and applied learning. To apply for these schools, students must undergo the Direct School Admission process.¹

As Independent Schools have the liberty to set their own school fees, please visit the schools’ individual websites for the latest fee information. The range of chargeable school fees for Singapore citizens is from $300 to $600 per month(excluding miscellaneous fees).¹

List of Singapore Independent Schools

1 Anglo-Chinese School (Independent)
2 Hwa Chong Institution (Secondary)
3 Methodist Girls’ School (Secondary)
4 Nanyang Girls’ High School
5 Raffles Girls’ School (Secondary)
6 Raffles Institution (Secondary)
7 Singapore Chinese Girls’ School
8 St. Joseph’s Institution (Secondary)

List of Singapore Specialised Independent Schools

1 NUS High School of Mathematics and Science
2 School of Science and Technology
3 School of the Arts
4 Singapore Sports School

Special Assistance Plan(SAP) Schools

Special Assistance Plan (SAP) schools emphasises on bilingualism and bicultural studies in their curriculum. In particular, they focus on immersing their students in the Chinese language and culture and seek to develop a global outlook in their students. SAP schools may be both Autonomous schools or Independent schools.

List of Singapore Special Assistance Plan (SAP) schools

1 Anglican High School
2 Catholic High School
3 CHIJ St. Nicholas Girls’ School (Secondary)
4 Chung Cheng High School (Main)
5 Dunman High School (Secondary)
6 Hwa Chong Institution (Secondary)
7 Maris Stella High School (Secondary)
8 Nan Chiau High School
9 Nan Hua High School
10 Nanyang Girls’ High School
11 River Valley High School (Secondary)

Specialised Schools

Specialised Schools place an emphasis on experiential and kinesthetic learning methods for students who do not qualify for secondary education. An ITE Skills Certificate(ISC) is offered at the end of a four year programme which qualifies them for employment or admission into the Institute of Technical Education (ITE). 

Alternatively, other Specialised Schools offer a ‘customised, hands-on and practice-oriented curriculum’1, with students graduating with the ITE Skills Subject Certificate (ISSC). This is a combination of the Normal (Technical) level and ISC qualifications. 

List of Specialised Schools

1 Assumption Pathway School
2 Crest Secondary School
3 Northlight School
4 Spectra Secondary School

Each type of school varies in their teaching styles and curriculum depending on the school’s focus. To select the ideal school for your child, it is important that your child’s interest matches with the school’s offered curriculum.

For Integrated Programmes (IP) School with their respective JC Partners, please refer to https://www.learnerslodge.com.sg/news/integrated-programmes-ip/

To check the school fees for all the secondary schools, please refer to https://www.moe.gov.sg/financial-matters/fees 

To check out our O-level master class schedules to see which classes and locations work best for you: https://www.olevelmaster.com.sg/schedule

References: 

Ministry of Education. (2022, December 14). Types of schools. Education in Singapore. Retrieved January 12, 2023, from https://www.moe.gov.sg/education-in-sg/our-schools/types-of-schools