If your child has received their PSLE results and they qualify to enter the Integrated Programme, congratulations! The Integrated Programme, or IP for short, is for the top 10% of students based on their PSLE results. So, if your child can get into IP, they have done really well!
Now, you may be wondering what IP is all about. Surely, you have heard of it, but perhaps you are not too sure – in that case, be sure to check out our articles on what to expect in the IP and also how IP compares to the O Level programme.
But another conundrum you may face is this: Which IP school should you (or your child) choose?
While all the IP schools are known for their robust academic programmes, not all schools will be the right fit for you. The schools are listed below in an interactive table, roughly in order of their cut-off scores.
IP Schools in Singapore (with 2022 PSLE Cut-Off Score)
Note:
The 2022 PSLE AL cut-off scores presented are for students who took the PSLE in 2022. The score range indicates the scores of the student with the highest score and the lowest score who were admitted into the Sec 1 cohort in 2023.
The letter in bracket indicates the grade for higher mother tongue, which is required for entry into SAP schools. D=Distinction, M=Merit, P=Pass
To filter, type in your search term in the search bar. For example, enter ‘7’ to look for schools with a cut-off score of 7, or enter ‘SAP’ to see only SAP schools.
All info was retrieved from the MOE SchoolFinder website and compiled by Future Academy. School programmes may change without notice. For the latest updates, please check directly with the school to enquire about their programmes.
*** Please note that NUS High School of Mathematics and Science does not take part in the Secondary 1 Posting Exercise. Instead, students should apply via DSA-Sec in P6.
Additional note: Temasek Junior College will be relocated to a temporary campus in Tampines while their site at Bedok is being upgraded from 2024 to 2027 (tentative).
Considerations
The right school will depend on you (or your child’s) academic goals, interests or talents, and preferred school culture. Some of the key considerations are as follows:
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A Level or IB
You’ll notice that most of the IP schools lead up to A Levels, but a few of them lead to the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP). Both are very established and well-known qualifications, and will enable you to enter most of the top colleges and universities in the world. However, it is still worth researching about the differences between the two programmes and which one will suit you better.
For example, the IBDP is known for nurturing students with a global outlook, and cultivating holistic skills like research writing, critical thinking, and community service. In contrast, the A Levels provide an opportunity to go more in-depth and specialised into a few subjects. In Singapore, there is more support and resources for students taking the A Levels, as that’s what most students here take. On the other hand, ACS(I) and SJI have been doing the IBDP for many years and consistently coming out tops in global IB score rankings, so you’ll be in very good hands if you decide to take the IB.
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Co-ed or single-sex school
A significant number of IP schools are single-sex schools, meaning they only admit all girls, or all boys. That naturally limits your choices by a few schools. There are pros and cons of studying in a co-ed school and single-sex school, which may affect your preference and choice.
Some parents feel that it is beneficial for their child’s social skills when they have ample opportunities to interact with both genders, especially in these formative teenage years. However, some are of the opinion that single-sex schools reduces ‘distractions’ from the opposite gender, for example, by lowering the chances of them dating in school.
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SAP school
Quite a few IP schools are also SAP schools, given that SAP schools cater to academically strong students who are also excellent in their mother tongue. However, currently, all SAP schools in Singapore are for students who study Mandarin as their mother tongue – so, students who study another mother tongue are unfortunately not able to enter these schools.
You may consider choosing a SAP school if you are strong in the Chinese language, interested in Chinese culture, or simply do not mind that type of cultural immersion. However, take note that these schools will consist of predominantly ethnically Chinese students.
If you do choose a SAP school, you can expect regular school-wide activities that seek to immerse students in the Chinese culture, such as Chinese calligraphy sessions or learning Wushu. On top of that, students can take their interest further by joining the bicultural studies programme in their school, which offers students more opportunities to study topics such as the history of China, translation, and Chinese literature.
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Niche programmes
All the IP schools are academically very strong – but what makes them quite different are the niche programmes they offer. For example, if you want to take music as an elective, you will have to choose from schools that offer it, such as Catholic High School or Dunman High School. Or perhaps, if there is a CCA that you already excel in and you wish to continue with, you have to choose a school which has that CCA.
Take note that not all the programmes and electives are listed on MOE’s website, as some are uniquely developed by the school. Make sure to take some time to consider the programmes that each school offers to see how it can benefit you by cultivating your passions.
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Government, Autonomous or Independent Schools
To some, it is just a technical difference. But to parents who are paying the school fees, the type of school your child goes to matters!
Government schools and government-aided schools may include autonomous schools, and they follow a standardised curriculum and charge standardised school fees (read: cheaper). Independent schools tend to have higher school fees as they do not receive as much funding from the government. Independent schools also have the flexibility to develop and implement their own curriculum, meaning that it may be more different from what students in other schools are doing.
Depending on the type of school your child goes to, there will also be different scholarships and bursaries available to them.
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Location
Of course, there are also the practical considerations like the school’s proximity to your home. Don’t underestimate how long and tiring the daily commute to school can be! Where possible, it is always best to find a school that is easily accessible from your home.
Information on Sec 1 Posting Exercise
Parents and students have 7 days upon receiving the PSLE results to make their choices in the Sec 1 Posting Exercise. All students should submit their choices, unless they have received a DSA offer and will be accepting the offer. You can rank 6 choices of schools in order of preference. Find more information about the Sec 1 Posting Exercise and how to submit your choices at MOE’s website.
PSLE Results Day: Wednesday, 22 November 2023
Sec 1 Posting Exercise window for submission of schools: 11.30am on Wednesday, 22 November 2022 to 3pm on Tuesday, 28 November 2022.
Conclusion
Hopefully, the above guide gives you a good idea of how to begin selecting your child’s IP secondary school. There may be some factors you cannot control, such as the limited number of places in each school, and your child’s PSLE score. But you can make an informed decision based on what you know about the schools and regarding your child’s interests, skills, and preferences.
While it is happy news to have your child becoming eligible for the Integrated Programme, there’s also no denying that it is a rigorous programme that can end up being very stressful for your child. As a leading IP Tuition specialist in Singapore, Future Academy remains committed in providing academic support to IP students. If you want to get an early start for your child, feel free to enquire about our headstart classes happening this year-end. We are also open for registration for 2023 classes, including our popular IP Math Tuition class and IP English Tuition class.
(Cover image credit: Cedar Girls’ Secondary School)