Direct School Admission (DSA–Sec)
DIRECT SCHOOL ADMISSION (DSA) TO JWSS
A. INTRODUCTION
Jurong West Secondary School (JWSS) welcomes Primary Six students eligible for Secondary One admission in 2026 with talents in various areas to apply for Direct School Admission to Secondary One in 2025.
B. WHY APPLY FOR DSA TO JWSS
In JWSS, we place a premium on the holistic development of our students. This is anchored in our strong belief that both academic excellence and character development are pillars of a holistic education which make our students Learners, Thinkers, Leaders of Tomorrow.
Our CCAs and Student Leadership groups offer a multitude of exciting opportunities for students to enhance their skills and pursue their passion.
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JWSS offers DSA to students who display talent/passion in the following areas: |
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Sports and Games ● Basketball (Boys) ● Netball (Girls) ● Volleyball (Boys) |
Our Sports and Games teams have been making steady progress, with notable recent achievements. The school’s Basketball boys team secured a West Zone Top 4 placing in 2018, 2023, and 2025. The Volleyball boys team has consistently achieved West Zone Top 4 placings since 2015 and attained National Top 8 and Top 4 placings for the C Division in 2022 and 2023 respectively, as well as a National Top 8 placing for the B Division in 2025. Our Netball girls have also performed consistently, achieving Top 8 placings in the West Zone Inter-School Competition. |
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Performing Arts ● Modern Dance |
Our Modern Dance CCA has been performing well at the Singapore Youth Festival (SYF) Presentations, earning Certificates of Distinction and Accomplishment over the years. Students enjoy multiple opportunities to perform at both school and external events, such as Open House, National Day celebrations, and community showcases. They also attend specialised workshops to explore a variety of dance genres, including contemporary, hip-hop, jazz, and other styles. Through these rich experiences, students hone their technical skills, build confidence, and develop a deep passion for the performing arts. |
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Leadership and Uniformed Groups ● Leadership |
Our Student Leadership programme offers a wide range of platforms for students to take on leadership roles in the school, such as the Student Council and Student Ambassadors. JWSS student leaders are provided with numerous highly customised developmental opportunities, including the Leadership Training Camp, community service projects, public speaking workshops, and CCA leadership roles. These experiences empower them to grow as learners, thinkers, and leaders, enabling them to make a positive impact in both the school and the wider community. |
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Leadership and Uniformed Groups ● Boys’ Brigade ● Red Cross (Youth) |
JWSS is well known in the West for its well-established Uniformed Groups (UGs). Notably, both the Boys’ Brigade and Red Cross Youth have received Gold Awards for 14 years. In addition, the Boys’ Brigade was awarded the High Distinction Award in 2023, while the Red Cross Youth received the Excellent Unit Award in 2024. Our UGs develop students’ leadership potential in various ways. Leadership development courses equip students with foundational skills in leading others. Students are regularly given opportunities to take on leadership roles, such as organising camps and events, and intentionally designing activities to help their juniors grow as individuals. The UGs also foster a strong culture of mentorship, where senior members demonstrate care and concern for their juniors, nurturing them to become leaders of character. As UG cadets, students will be developed to be confident leaders and inspire others to make a positive impact to the society and the nation. |
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Visual Arts, Design and Media ● Visual Arts |
JWSS is one of only two Secondary schools in the West offering the Enhanced Art Programme (EAP) for artistically talented students. The EAP is a two-year Upper Secondary programme designed to expose students to a variety of art media, creative processes, professions, and practices within the arts and creative industries. It also provides in-depth development in selected art practices, enabling students to further their passion in fields such as art, design, and multimedia. At the Lower Secondary level, our two-year Art JeWel talent development programme offers students the opportunity to nurture and grow their artistic expertise. |
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STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) |
At JWSS, we are committed to deepening students’ knowledge and skills in STEM and Sustainability. Through participation in our STEM and Sustainability Club CCA, students develop problem-solving skills and advocate for the use of STEM solutions to address sustainability challenges. Students can also join our STEM JeWel talent development programme, which offers Math and Science talents opportunities to nurture and grow their expertise through conducting scientific research on sustainability-related issues. |
C. APPLICATION CRITERIA*
Primary Six (P6) students eligible for Secondary One in 2026 may apply for Direct School Admission to Secondary One in JWSS based on their holistic achievements and talents as well as the following criteria:
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Talent Areas |
Criteria |
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Basketball (Boys) Netball (Girls) Volleyball (Boys) |
Students applying should satisfy at least two of the following: ● a proven and sustained record of representing Primary School at the Cluster, Zonal or National levels in the relevant sport ● possess interest and passion for the relevant sport ● demonstrate proficiency of skills and abilities during the relevant sport trial ● achieved a placing at the relevant sport competitions conducted at Cluster, Zonal or National levels #Please note that meeting all the above criteria does not guarantee the student will be shortlisted/given an offer. |
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Modern Dance |
Students applying should satisfy at least two of the following: ● a proven and/or sustained record of representing Primary School at the Cluster, Zonal or National levels in the relevant performing art CCA ● possess interest and passion for the relevant performing art CCA ● demonstrate proficiency of skills and talents during the relevant performing art audition ● achieved an award at the latest Singapore Youth Festival Arts Presentation (e.g. Certificate of Distinction, Accomplishment, Commendation) #Please note that meeting all the above criteria does not guarantee the student will be shortlisted/given an offer. |
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Leadership |
Students applying should have a keen interest and passion in advocacy as well as leading and serving the student body and the community, as well as satisfy at least two of the following: ● held the position of Prefect, Student Councillor, Ambassadorial roles or other equivalent leadership roles in Primary School ● a proven and/or sustained record of playing key leadership roles in their respective CCAs in Primary School ● active involvement in CCA-level, school-level or community-level programmes or projects #Please note that meeting all the above criteria does not guarantee the student will be shortlisted/given an offer. |
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The Boys’ Brigade (Boys only) Red Cross Youth |
Students applying should satisfy at least two of the following: ● a proven and sustained record of playing key leadership roles in their respective CCAs in Primary School ● active involvement in school level projects or community level programmes or projects ● a keen interest and passion in the relevant UG activities ● held the position of Prefect, Student Councillor, Ambassadorial roles or other equivalent leadership roles in Primary School #Please note that meeting all the above criteria does not guarantee the student will be shortlisted/given an offer. |
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Visual Arts |
Students applying should satisfy at least two of the following: ● provide sufficient evidence of Visual Arts talent through portfolios reproduction (to submit softcopy of their artwork as photographs) ● demonstrate proficiency of skills through a Visual Arts Task (interviews will be conducted where necessary) ● represented school at Cluster, Zonal or National level art exhibitions or relevant events ● took part in school-based art exhibitions or similar events * Applicants do not need to submit actual portfolios with their applications. Applicants may choose to bring their actual portfolios when he/she attends the aptitude test. ** Students admitted through DSA for the Visual Arts, Design and Media [Visual Arts] should have the intention of pursuing Art as a GCE O-level subject at the Upper Secondary level. They are also expected to join the Art Club CCA and Art JeWel Talent Development Programme upon joining JWSS. #Please note that meeting all the above criteria does not guarantee the student will be shortlisted/given an offer. |
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STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) |
Students applying should satisfy at least two of the following: ● a proven/ sustained record in any one or more areas: - robotics, - coding, - STEM-related activities, - and/or sustainability-related activities ● demonstrate knowledge, interest & passion in STEM and/or Sustainability ● demonstrate communication and collaborative skills during audition ● demonstrate a spirit of innovation and perseverance * Applicants do not need to submit their records or portfolios with their applications. Applicants may choose to bring their records and/or portfolios when he/she attends the aptitude test. ** Students admitted through DSA for STEM are expected to join the STEM and Sustainability Club CCA upon joining JWSS. #Please note that meeting all the above criteria does not guarantee the student will be shortlisted/given an offer. |
*Applicants who do not have prior experience may also apply. The school will assess applicants based on the selection criteria, which may include assessing the potential of the applicants.
The timeline for the MOE DSA-Sec Exercise is as follows:
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Application Stage |
Submission of online application |
7 May 2025, 11am – 3 Jun 2025, 3pm |
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Stage 1 |
Selection Stage |
30 Jun – 4 Sep 2025 |
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Stage 2 |
Exercise School Preference Stage |
27 Oct – 31 Oct 2025 |
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Stage 3 |
School Allocation Results |
Late Nov |
D. APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Centralised DSA-Sec Application Process:
Application for DSA-Sec can be submitted through the online DSA-Sec Portal. The application is free-of-charge and will be open from 7 May 2025 to 3 June 2025. For more details, please refer to MOE website – www.moe.gov.sg/dsa-sec.
E. SELECTION PROCESS BY SCHOOL
All shortlisted students will be informed latest by 8 Jul 2025 to attend a first round of an interview, an audition, sports trial, visual art aptitude test or task challenges depending on the DSA area.
Students who are shortlisted will be invited to attend a second round of interview at a later date.
Students who are shortlisted to attend the interview and trials are to report to the school’s General Office where the teacher overseeing the DSA Exercise will meet them to give further instructions.
The details of the selection processes for each of the talent domain are as follows:
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Talent Areas |
Selection Process |
Date & Time |
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Basketball (Boys) |
● Sports Trials |
11 Jul 25 (Fri) from 2.30pm
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Netball (Girls) |
● Sports Trials |
10 Jul 25 (Thurs) from 3.30pm
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Volleyball (Boys) |
● Sports Trials |
11 Jul 25 (Fri) from 4.00pm
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Visual Art |
● Visual Arts Task |
15 Jul 25 (Tues) from 2.00pm
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Leadership,
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● Write-Up (Leadership only) ● Interview |
15 Jul 25 (Tues) from 2.00pm (Leadership)
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Modern Dance |
● Auditions |
21 Jul 25 (Mon) from 3.00pm |
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STEM |
● Task Challenge ● Interview |
11 Jul 25 (Fri) from 2.30pm |
F. RELEASE OF OUTCOME OF DSA-SEC EXERCISE
"You will receive notification from the school by 4 September 2025, if your child has been shortlisted to undergo Direct School Admission (DSA) selection. All applicants will receive their application outcomes between 25 Aug and 4 Sep 2025."
Applicants given CO are guaranteed admission only if they:
● Indicate the school during School Preference Submission (27 Oct – 31 Oct 2025)
● Qualify for an academic course offered by the school (i.e. G3, G2, G1) based on PSLE results.
DSA-Sec allocation results will be released through Primary Schools together with PSLE results.
Please note that students successfully allocated to their DSA-Sec schools will NOT be allowed to participate in the annual S1 Posting Exercise to opt for secondary schools and are expected to honour the commitment to the allocated DSA-Sec school for the entire duration of the programme. They will also NOT be allowed to transfer to another school after the release of the PSLE results.
Students who are successfully admitted to the school via DSA are expected to honour their commitment to the school, and participate in the activities related to the talent they are selected for from year 1-4.
G. ENQUIRIES
The selection criteria and process for the talent areas will be updated from early-May. For more information on DSA-Sec, please refer to the MOE website at https://www.moe.gov.sg/dsa-sec.
Parents and students are encouraged to choose schools wisely based on the student’s aptitudes and strengths, bearing in mind the schools’ academic and non-academic requirements, and the programmes available to develop the area of talent.
If you would like to have further details or require any clarification, you may contact any one of the following staff:
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Mdm Chai Jiamin
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Telephone: 6262 3593 |
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Mr Syaifudean Selamat
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Ms Angela Sim
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Mdm Zarina Amir
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We would like to wish you all the best in your DSA Application.