Singapore offers a world-class education system that is renowned for its excellence. Secondary school in Singapore is typically attended by students aged 12 to 16 years old, and offers a holistic and rigorous education that prepares students for the rigours of tertiary education and beyond. Secondary schools in Singapore offer a wide range of academic and non-academic programmes, so there is something for everyone. Academic programmes typically offered include English, Mathematics, Science, and Humanities. There are also a wide variety of non-academic programmes such as sports, music, and the arts which constitutes Co-Curricular Activities (CCA). The academic programmes or “streams” are structured as follows:

• The IP stream is the most coveted and the most demanding. It is a through-train 6-year course that does not require sitting for the O-level exams. IP students will complete the programme with the GCE A Level, IB (Diploma) or the NUS High School Diploma.
• Express students take a 4-year programme that culminates in the GCE O level. Most students a placed in this programme which exists in almost all Secondary Schools.
• The Normal Course is a 4 years and students sit for the GCE N Level. Students who perform well are allowed to take the GCE O Levels at the end of year 5

Admission to the streams are solely dependent on the PSLE results but students can transfer laterally between programmes at intermediate points. Students in Singapore secondary schools are also given ample opportunities to participate in various extracurricular activities, so they can develop their interests and talents. These activities nurture well-rounded individuals who are well-prepared for the challenges of tertiary education and the workplace.

It is expected for all students to experience a heavy workload in Secondary School. They need to take anywhere between 7 to 9 subjects that cover a breadth of disciplines. Some focus is achieve in Secondary 3 where their subjects can come from 3 or 4 disciplines. The core courses are English, Math, and Science. Private Tuition or Home Tuition is popular with Secondary students. A capable home tutor from the best tuition agency will help the student cope with the subject material & work towards academic excellence. The tutor will fill in the learning gaps that exist as the student progresses through the academic year.

It is highly recommended that students are aware of their strengths or preferences as early as in Secondary 2 so that a proper focus can be set from Secondary 3 onwards. Apart from their teachers in school, a good home tutor can act as a reliable guide to direct the student to read subjects that can build on a student’s strengths.