Direct School Admission

S/N

DSA Main Category

DSA Talent Area (offered in Riverside Secondary)

Programmes, activities and/or opportunities that students can expect to participate in for each talent area

1

Leadership and Uniformed Groups

Leadership and Character

Students will:
• Develop leadership competencies to model, inspire, challenge and enable others to act.

• Have the opportunities to be systematically developed through the Riverside leadership curriculum.

• Have the opportunities to initiate, lead, plan and execute cohort and school-based projects.

• Learn to influence others positively for a shared goal both in the school and in the community.

2

Language and Humanities

Tamil Language

Students will:
• Develop and showcase their diverse talents and to build their interests in different fields of Tamil Arts and Literature such as writing, acting, short-film-making etc.

• Have the opportunities to take part in external competitions.

3

Performing Arts

• Choir

• Concert Band

Students will:
• Develop and deepen their knowledge and skills in their talent areas.

• Represent the school at competitions.

• Participate in school and external events.

• Attend workshops.

4

Visual Arts, Design and Media

Media

Students will:
• Hone their skills in photography and videography.

• Represent the school at competitions.

• Attend workshops.

• Support major school events.

5

Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics

STEM

Students will:
• Enhance their coding literacy.

• Develop problem-solving skills and design solutions to real-world problems.

• Be developed as stewards of environment and changemakers in sustainability.

• Represent the school at national robotics competitions.

• Demonstrate leadership capabilities.

DSA Main Category

DSA Talent Area

Selection Criteria

Selection Process

Leadership and Uniformed Groups

Leadership and Character

• Applicant must hold leadership roles, for e.g., prefects and CCA leaders, in his/her primary school, and has led school projects. 

The school will refer to:
• School reports - Academic ability and conduct indicated in school reports and other specific teacher reports.

• Any other student leadership-related records of participation and level of representation.

• Interview: in-person
- Assessment of attitude and aptitude

Language and Humanities

Tamil Language

• Applicant must be able to demonstrate strong interest and talent beyond the abilities of students in the same age group and have a history of consistent high academic achievements in Higher Tamil Language.

The school will refer to:
• School reports - Academic ability and conduct indicated in school reports and other specific teacher reports.

• Accomplishment - Evidence in the form of awards or experiences in relevant contexts (e.g. competitions at national level) or any equivalent demonstration of talent.

• Interview: in-person
- On-site written assessment
- Assessment of attitude and aptitude

Performing Arts

• Choir

• Concert Band

• Applicant must be able to demonstrate strong interest and talent in music beyond the abilities of students in the same age group.

 The school will refer to:
• School reports - Academic ability and conduct indicated in school reports and other specific teacher reports.

•   Qualification(s) in music, e.g., relevant certificates (if any).

• Accomplishment - Evidence in the form of awards, performances, competitions (e.g. SYF) or experiences in relevant contexts.

• Audition and interview: in-person
- On-site performance assessment
- Demonstration of aptitude and potential
- Assessment of attitude and suitability

Visual Arts, Design and Media

Media

• Applicant must be able to demonstrate strong interest and talent in the areas of photography, videography, and media production beyond the abilities of students in the same age group.

 The school will refer to:
• School reports - Academic ability and conduct indicated in school reports and other specific teacher reports.

• Qualification(s) in photography, videography and media production, e.g., relevant certificates (if any).

• Accomplishment - Evidence in the form of awards or experiences in relevant contexts (e.g. competitions, school/public showcases).

• Audition and interview: in-person
- On-site assessment
- Demonstration of aptitude and potential
- Assessment of attitude and suitability

Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics

STEM

• Applicant must be able to demonstrate strong interest and talent in an area of STEM (e.g. robotics/programming, Math and Science), beyond the abilities of students in the same age group.

The school will refer to:
• School reports - Academic ability and conduct indicated in school reports and other specific teacher reports.

• Qualification(s) in robotics/programming (Lego EV3, Mindstorms, Spike Prime), e.g., relevant certificates (if any).

• Accomplishment - Evidence in the form of awards or experiences in relevant contexts such as STEM competitions or projects in school/external events (if any).

• Audition and interview: in-person
- On-site assessment
- Demonstration of aptitude and potential
- Assessment of attitude and suitability

Please note that meeting all the 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.

You will receive notification from the school by 18 Jul 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.

Event

Date

DSA Application

7 May 2025, 11am - 3 Jun 2025, 3pm

Shortlisting
• Applicants will be notified via email.

By 18 Jul 2025

Selection
• Auditions / interviews for short-listed applicants.

23 Jul 2025 - 7 Aug 2025

Selection Outcome
• Audition / interview results will be notified to applicants via email.

25 Aug - 4 Sep 2025

School Preference Submission

End Oct 2025

DSA Allocation Outcome

End Nov 2025