While researching on primary or secondary schools in Singapore, you may come across the term ‘affiliated school’ or ‘schools with affiliation’. Wondering what this means or which are the affiliated schools in Singapore? If you have these questions in mind, read on to get your answers!
What are affiliated schools?
Schools with affiliations are schools that are closely related in some way. Usually, they were established by one organisation, association, or school management, and continue to run as a ‘family’ of schools today.
It is also widely understood that graduating primary six students who apply to an affiliated secondary school can get an advantage over those from non-affiliated primary schools. For example, the 2020 indicative AL cut-off score to enter Nanyang Girls’ High School (NYGH) is AL 7. However, students from Nanyang Primary School, which is affiliated to NYGH, have a higher indicative AL cut-off score by one point, which is AL 8.
The extent of this advantage varies from school to school, but this is enough for parents to scramble to get places for their child in well-known primary schools with affiliations. In 2019, a new regulation was put in place to reserve at least 20% of Secondary 1 places in each affiliated secondary school for students from non-affiliated schools.
Below is the complete list of affiliated schools (primary and secondary only) as of 2022:
Examples of affiliated schools
Religious affiliations
You’ll notice that a vast majority of affiliated schools are actually of a religious background. The bulk of them have their roots in mission schools, set up by Catholic or Protestant evangelists in the early days of Singapore. These days, many are still managed in part by religious groups, advocate for religious values, and may carry out some religious activities such as mass, devotion, or Christian co-curricular activities in school.
One exception to the list of religious schools here is the group consisting of Manjusri, Maha Bodhi, and Mee Toh schools. These were established and managed by Buddhist leaders and educators, and maintain their strong Buddhist identity and values till today.
Other affiliations
Only three other pairs of schools have no religious ties – these are: Ngee Ann Primary School and Secondary School, Nanyang Primary School and Nanyang Girls’ High School, and Singapore Chinese Girls’ School (Primary and Secondary sections).
Ngee Ann Primary School and Ngee Ann Secondary School were set up by the Ngee Ann Kongsi, a prominent Teochew clan association in Singapore. Nanyang Primary School and Nanyang Girls’ High School are part of the Nanyang family of schools, and began as one school before splitting into primary and secondary sections in 1978. Singapore Chinese Girls’ School had a similar history, starting out as one school before having separate primary and secondary sections.
Popular affiliated schools in Singapore
The priority given to students in affiliated schools who apply to their affiliated secondary schools is not the only advantage that makes primary schools with affiliations popular. Many of these schools also happen to be very established, well-known for their academic ability and accomplishments. Some have very coveted places due to their status as GEP schools in Singapore.
Some of the more highly subscribed primary schools on the list include:
- Anglo-Chinese School (Primary)
- Anglo-Chinese School (Junior)
- Catholic High School (Primary)
- CHIJ St. Nicholas Girl’s School (Primary)
- Fairfield Methodist School
- Methodist Girls’ School
- Nanyang Primary School
- Singapore Chinese Girls’ School
- St. Hilda’s Primary School
Similar but non-affiliated schools
Many other primary and secondary schools share the same name, may be located nearby, or even share a common heritage. However, these may not be officially ‘affiliated’ despite the similarities. Only those which are officially labelled as affiliated will confer advantages to students going to secondary school.
Some of the common pairings that are NOT officially affiliated are:
- Nan Hua Primary School and Nan Hua High School
- Nanyang Primary School and Hwa Chong Institution (High School)
- Pei Hwa Presbyterian Primary School and Pei Hwa Secondary School
- Raffles Girl’s Primary School and Raffles Girls’ School
- River Valley Primary School and River Valley High School
Getting into your desired school
Not in any of the affiliated schools but wish to get to one of the top secondary schools? In an affiliated school, but still finding it hard to hit the mark for entering the affiliated secondary school? Whatever your academic goals, let us help you reach them!
We simplify the study method and save students time through effective learning during our tuition classes. Be it Primary School Math Tuition or in our PSLE English Tuition classes, your child can learn from top tutors and increase their chances of securing a place in their desired school.
Ready to conquer the PSLE with less stress and more confidence? Give us a call today!