DSA Process

ADMISSION CRITERIA

To apply via Direct School Admission (DSA) Exercise for Admission to Secondary One in 2027 at Maris Stella High School, current Primary 6 male students must satisfy the following criteria:

• Academic entry requirements (PSLE Score) eligible for Posting Group 3 and must offer Chinese as Mother Tongue Language in Primary School.

• Requirements stated for the area of talent that he is interested in

Successful applicants must take Higher Chinese as the Mother Tongue Language in 2027.

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.

Please note that meeting all the criteria does not guarantee the student will be shortlisted / given an offer.

Sports and Games

(a)      Applicants should preferably have represented his primary school, participated in international, regional or national competition(s) in one of the following sports:

• Badminton

• Basketball

• Bowling

• Softball

• Sport Climbing

• Table Tennis

• Taekwondo

• Wushu

(b)           Key player of the School team who achieved Top 8 placing at National Inter-Primary School Competition(s), or

(c)           Individuals who achieved Top 8 placing in their individual events at National Inter-Primary School Competition(s), or

(d)           Individuals with outstanding achievements.

Aesthetics

(a)       Applicants should preferably be a member of the following Performing Arts CCA in 2025 and 2026

• Concert Band

• Chinese Orchestra

(b)       Shortlisted applicants must be able to perform using a Chinese instrument or Concert Band instrument such as brass, woodwind and/or percussion. 

• A self-prepared solo piece

• Any two scales (Concert Band only)

Scouts

(a)           Applicants must be a member of the Cub Scouts in 2025 and 2026;

(b)           Actively involved in the Scouts Movement; and

(c)           Achieved at least the Gold Arrow.

Clubs and Societies

(a)           Applicants should preferably be a member in one of these CCAs in 2025 and 2026

• Chinese Language – Drama and Debate

• English Literary – Debate and Scrabble

• Media Arts / Film / Photography

• Robotics

(b)      Represented his primary school in relevant competitions

(c)            Certification in relevant skills.

(i) Visual Art – Media Arts / Film / Photography:

-      Portfolio in Photography/Video-making/Digital Media (Soft copy)

-      Experience and competency in using media software such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Premier Pro, Final Cut Pro etc.

(ii) Robotics:

-      Experience in EV3 and Spike Prime Programming.  

-      Participated in NJRC/FLL/WRG/APYRC or other international/national robotics competitions and obtained a good standing in either the main or side events.

Chinese Language

Applicants should:

-        Have strong command of the Chinese Language in both spoken and written form;

-        Display strong interest and high aptitude for Chinese; and

-        Have participated in Chinese Language-related and/or Chinese cultural events or competitions.

Other than participation in school-wide activities which aim to deepen the understanding and learning of Chinese Language and tradition, successful applicants will also be enrolled in the school's bicultural programme and Chinese Language-related competitions.

STEM

Applicants should:

-        Have strong aptitude in Math and Science.

-  Have participated in STEM-related projects, activities or competitions.

Successful applicants will be expected to commit to one or more of the following:

-        Math Olympiad training and competition,

-        Science Olympiad training and competition,

-        Science research programme,

-        STEM related competitions.

Student Leadership

Applicants should:

-        Have held a key leadership appointment at the highest level of student leadership (e.g., EXCO of the Prefectorial Board, Student Council, or equivalent), with clear evidence of responsibility, initiative, and meaningful contributions to programmes or projects.

-        Have demonstrated the ability to positively influence and guide peers, foster collaboration, and organise group efforts to achieve shared outcomes.

-        Demonstrate the ability to communicate ideas clearly and confidently, and listen actively to others.

Successful applicants will be placed in the Councillor-in-Training (CiT) Programme when it commences for Secondary 1 students.

-        Participation in the programme does not automatically lead to appointment as a Student Councillor. Students will be expected to meet stringent criteria in leadership, conduct and service before they may be confirmed as Student Councillors in Secondary 2.

SELECTION PROCESS

      1.  Candidates who are shortlisted are required to go through DSA selection conducted by the school.

      2.  Depending on the number of applications and vacancies, shortlisted applicants will be notified via email to attend a in-person selection exercise which will be conducted between 7 July – 5 August 2026.

       3.  Shortlisted applicants will be informed of the exact date, time and venue for the audition/trial.

       4.  Letters will be issued to all shortlisted applicants from 17 August - 28 August 2026, informing them if they have been given a Confirmed Offer, placed on the Waiting List or being Rejected.

      5.  Students given a Confirmed Offer are guaranteed a place in the school provided they qualify for the Posting Group 3 of study.

How To Apply

Application for DSA-Sec can be submitted through the online DSA-Sec Portal. The application is free-of-charge and will be open from 6 May 2026, 11 am to 2 June 2026, 4.30pm. For more details, please refer to MOE website – https://www.moe.gov.sg/dsa-sec ↗ (opens in new tab).

In your submission, please provide information such as position played in the sports, belt attainment in taekwondo, wushu specialization, instrument played and grade level, whichever is applicable for the talent area that you are applying. This information will help in the shortlisting and arrangement of selection exercise schedule.

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.

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.

For further enquiries, please email suresh_sivakadacham@schools.gov.sg.

Application Deadline

2 June 2026, 4.30pm

Useful MOE weblinks