Planning to visit secondary schools with your Primary 6 child?

This year’s PSLE results will tentatively be released between Monday 24 November and Wednesday 26 November 2025.

Secondary schools will hold their Open House events between late October and November. If there are schools that you are eager to visit, it’s about time to look out for their Open House details. (See below.)

What secondary schools can my child qualify for in 2025?

Before you visit schools, it’s best to check out the secondary school Cut-off Points (COPs) for the latest intake:

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This will give you an idea of which schools your child might be able to qualify for, based on their prelim results. Bear in mind that COPs may fluctuate from year to year. So let’s say your child’s prelim score is 17, you could look at schools with COPs between 15 and 20.

How to choose secondary schools for my child?

For a better chance 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 a school of your choice.
2. Consider at least 2 to 3 schools where your child’s PSLE Score is better than the school’s COP.

Do have discussions with your child, and explain the school selection process to them. 

An important thing to remember: If you focus too much on secondary schools that are out of reach, there is a high possibility that your child won’t qualify for those schools. Even if you have “Plan B” schools in the list, choice order does matter in the event of limited spaces.

What you want to avoid is a scenario where your child’s school posting is left to the mercy of computer algorithms.

What to do during the secondary school open house visit?

The best thing you can do at a school open house is to listen carefully to everyone that you speak to. 

When you’re talking to students, ask them questions to find out how they really feel about being in the school. Do they feel any school pride? Do they have a healthy network of friends? Are they coping with their studies well, and where do they get support?

Here are some questions that you can ask students:

• What’s something you really like about your school?
• Do you feel proud to be part of this school? Why or why not?
• Are there any school events or traditions that people look forward to?
• Who do you hang out with during breaks or lunch?
• Is it easy to make new friends here?
• If someone feels left out, what helps them feel included again?
• How’s schoolwork been for you — too easy, too hard, or just right?
• When school gets stressful, what helps you deal with it?
• Where do you go, or who do you talk to, if you need help with your studies?
• What’s a class or project you’ve enjoyed lately?
• What makes a good school day for you?
• How do you usually feel coming to school in the morning?
• What’s something your school does that makes you feel cared for or valued?

You should also try to speak to some teachers in the school. Pay attention not just to what teachers say, but how they talk about their students: do they sound genuinely interested, encouraging, and respectful?

Notice whether these teachers seem approachable and collaborative, and whether they describe learning as something that goes beyond exams. Look out for how the school balances academic expectations with students’ wellbeing, and how teachers work together to help different kinds of learners thrive.

Here are some questions that you can ask teachers:

• How would you describe the learning environment here?
• What kind of student tends to do well in this school?
• How do teachers support students who are finding things difficult?
• How does the school stretch or challenge students who are ready for more?
• What do you think makes this school’s approach to teaching unique?
• How do you help students manage stress and workload?
• How do you work with parents when a student needs extra support?
• What do you personally enjoy most about teaching in this school?

At school open house events, there will typically be booths to showcase the school’s Co-Curricular Activities, more commonly known as CCAs. These are a key part of secondary school life, shaping students’ friendships, leadership skills, and school spirit.

When you visit these booths, pay attention to how both students and teachers talk about their CCAs. Do they sound genuinely enthusiastic and proud of what they do? This can tell you a lot about the school’s culture, i.e. how it values participation, supports growth, and helps students discover what they’re passionate about.

When are secondary school open house events being held in 2025?

Check the dates here: 

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For the most accurate open house information, please check with secondary schools directly. If the secondary school that you’re interested in isn’t listed in our guide, do call them to find out if they will be holding an Open House event.

Need advice on handling the PSLE results and choosing schools? 

Hear from a family life educator and mum of two — get her personal strategy for discussing and choosing schools with her children!

Want to chat with other parents about secondary schools? Start a conversation on the KiasuParents forum!