This year’s PSLE results will tentatively be released between Wednesday, 20 November and Friday, 22 November 2024. However, some secondary schools will hold their Open House events before that. If there are schools that you are eager to visit, you should already be looking out for their Open House details. (See our list below.) 

If the secondary school that you’re interested in isn’t listed below, please call them directly to find out if they will be holding an Open House event.

What Secondary Schools Can My Child Qualify For?

Before you visit schools, do read our guide to secondary school cut-off points or COPs. This will give you an idea of which schools your child might be able to qualify for, based on their prelim results. Take note that COPs may fluctuate from year to year. If, for example, your child’s prelim score is 17, you should ideally look at schools with COPs between 16 and 20.

For more assurance of getting a desired school, follow the Ministry of Education’s advice when submitting school choices for your child:

1. Use all 6 options with a range of COPs so that you are more likely to get into a school of your choice.
2. Consider at least 2-3 schools where your child’s PSLE Score is better than the school’s COP.

If you neglect to do this, or focus too much on schools that are out of your child’s reach, your child’s posting might be left to the mercy of computer algorithms.

How to Have a Good Open House Visit?

Since there will be too many Open House events to attend, you and your child will need to choose a few schools that seem promising. To do this, you can consult parents on forums or check with your personal network. Your child’s teachers might also be able to offer advice on suitable schools. After you get a list of schools to consider, visit the schools’ social media accounts to get a sense of their culture, their strengths, and their programmes. 

When you visit schools at Open House events, focus on the most important stakeholders — the students. Observe how the students approach you: are they attentive, or easily distracted? When asked a question, do they try to give you useful information, and do they look for someone else to assist if they don’t have the answers? If you’re visiting a neighbourhood school, you might find that things are less crowded and chaotic compared to brand-name schools, and you should be able to get a fair bit of personal attention.

Another factor to look for is school pride: Do students seem happy to be in their school, and are they able to tell you why they are satisfied? Find out if students are proud of their CCA (co-curricular activity) achievements, or if they feel that the school has been supportive in helping them to improve in their academics and shape their personal values. It’s essential to find a school that will boost the self-esteem of their students, as this will help them to build confidence and resilience for the future.

When will Secondary School Open House Events Be Held in 2024?

1. Around PSLE Results Day

2. Early November

3. Mid- to Late-November

How should you support your child when the PSLE results are released? Join our KiasuParents Family Huddle on 30 October to pick up practical tips from a psychiatrist!