Children’s education is always one of the top priorities for parents in Singapore, and so picking the best primary school to give their kids a head start in life always lingers on the minds of parents.

But how do we define the ‘best’ primary school?

The Ministry of Education (MOE) does not release any rankings of primary schools publicly, and so the ‘best’ schools are usually based on their reputation and/or brand names. In fact, there are other important factors to seriously consider when choosing the right primary school for your children.

Let’s take a more detailed approach and check through the factors below when choosing a primary school for your child.

1. Take Your child’s interest into consideration

It is of paramount importance to use your children’s interests to ignite a lifelong love of learning. On top of academic excellence, CCAs are an integral part of the students’ holistic education.

Be it sports, arts, music or Infocomm, some schools offer certain CCAs that other schools may not have. If you are looking to give your child a platform to develop that particular skills, you need to do some research on what the school can offer to bring out your child’s full potential.

Do spend time with your children to identify their interests and shortlist schools with CCAs that match their interests.

2. Location of the school

Finding a school close to your home is what other seasoned parents will advise you as it can give you a host of benefits during the six years.

From saving on transportation fees and freeing your worry from traffic congestion to having more sleep and saving your time and energy to wake them up early, it is a win-win situation for both parents and children.

More importantly, your children can return home easily on their own after school when they are ready for independence.

3. Single-Sex or Co-Ed

There are two schools of thought here.

Some think that interaction between boys and girls is beneficial as it can help the children to develop the ability to mingle and interact with the opposite sex, remove unnecessary shyness and fear, and ultimately prepare them for the future.

On the other hand, research has shown that students in single-sex schools perform better academically as boys and girls have different learning styles and teachers may find it harder to come up with a one-size-fits-both-genders teaching strategy.

However, it makes perfect sense to choose a co-ed school if you have a family of boys and girls for convenience and stress-free arrangement. Last but not least, it is also a good idea to have a chat with your children and listen to their views and preferences too.

4. Find out the principal’s reputation and school culture

The school’s principal is the one who sets the goals and strategic directions for the school – thus it is important to find out if the principal’s vision and culture are aligned with your expectations.

Some schools focus primarily on academic excellence whereas there are schools that put more emphasis on building character and inculcating strong values. Hence, it is important that parents find a school that best fits your children’s abilities and strengths.

One good way to understand more of the school culture is to speak to parents whose children are attending the school or read up all the available information found in relevant forums.

5. Availability of student care services in school – or in close proximity

Having after-school care is essential for working parents so that they can have peace of mind to work without worrying about their children’s well-being. The good news is that there are currently 171 primary schools with in-house after-school care services, but keep in mind that there are limited slots that require balloting.

Alternatively, parents can look for schools with student care services in close proximity so that they can just walk over after school with the assistance of the caretakers. This gives parents the convenience to pick them up after their work.  Caretakers in student care will take care of their meals and also guide students in their homework, ensuring that they are completed and ready for the next day.

6. Secondary School Affiliation

There are currently over 30 primary schools in Singapore that have affiliations to a secondary school. This affiliation element definitely gives an edge to students with affiliation compared to students without affiliation but with the same or slightly lower PSLE score.

Although secondary school considerations may be six years away, it is still worth considering this affiliation factor when choosing a primary school to avoid unnecessary stress when the time comes.

7. Alumni Association

If parents are former pupils of a particular primary school, you need to sign up for alumni association at least one year prior to the MOE primary school registration exercise.

Do note that there is a one-time registration fee and you need to contact the primary school for the amount and the required documents for approval.

For easy reference, we have included a screenshot of the different phases for Primary one registration that typically takes place every year.

8. Religion

There are a few primary schools that cater for parents who have specific faiths and beliefs, and these schools offer religious lessons to their children to strengthen their faith. It can ultimately help to reinforce character building and instill strong moral values.

9. Mother Tongue Languages

Being fluent in more languages can do wonders for your child’s brain and help them appreciate the cultural heritage in Singapore. The three official mother tongue languages in our national curriculum are Chinese, Malay and Tamil. Find out from your preferred primary schools if they offer lessons in the mother tongue of your choice.

10. Special Education Schools

MOE provides full support for children with special educational needs, and so special education schools (SPED) are specially set up to customise a wide range of educational programmes for children with varying learning needs. The ultimate goal is to assist them to lead a fulfilling and meaningful life in the future.

Click here for more details.

Important points to note when choosing a primary school

Another point to take note is that there are primary school open houses organised every year so that parents can take the opportunity to speak to teachers and the principal to understand more about the school environment and culture. MOE will usually release the dates to the public a few months earlier for ease of planning.

Last but not least, every parent should bear in mind that every child learns in a different style and pace. Besides grades and scores, it is equally important to provide a warm and loving environment for them to grow up happy and healthy.