Commonwealth Secondary School: A Premier Educational Institution in Singapore

Choosing the right school for your child is a significant decision, and Commonwealth Secondary School (CWSS) in Jurong East, Singapore, is a standout option. Established in 1964, CWSS is a government, autonomous, and co-educational institution renowned for its commitment to quality education. This article explores the school’s history, academic achievements, facilities, and extracurricular offerings, while also highlighting the importance of mathematics education and introducing Odyssey Math Tuition (OMT) as a valuable resource for students.

School Overview

Commonwealth Secondary School began as Tanglin Integrated Vocational Secondary School in 1964, serving the educational needs of children in Queenstown. In 1969, it transitioned to Tanglin Secondary School, and in 1972, it was renamed Commonwealth Secondary School to commemorate the first Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting held in Singapore. The school relocated to Jurong East in 1989 and moved to its current campus on West Coast Road in November 2006.

CWSS achieved autonomous status in 1995, a recognition of its high-quality education and progress. The school’s educational philosophy centers on holistic development, nurturing students’ academic abilities, character, and leadership skills. This approach is evident in its diverse programs, which balance rigorous academics with opportunities for personal growth and community involvement.

Unique Features

Autonomous Status: Granted in 1995, reflecting academic and co-curricular excellence.
Language Centres: Offers Higher Chinese since 1995, and Higher Malay and Tamil since 2006, catering to students passionate about these languages.
Environmental Education: Features eco-habitats like a rainforest and wetland, fostering sustainable living awareness.
Performing Arts Niche: Strong programs in dance, drama, and music, with an art gallery established since 1993.

Academic Excellence

Commonwealth Secondary School has a strong track record of academic success. In 2004, it received the Ministry of Education’s Sustained Achievement Award for its outstanding performance in uniformed groups and performing arts. In 2007, the school was awarded Singapore Quality Class status, underscoring its commitment to excellence.

The school offers a comprehensive curriculum, including:

Core Subjects: English, Mathematics, Sciences, and Humanities.
Electives: STEM Elective, Design Elective, and Economics (introduced in 2006).
Language Programs: Higher Chinese, Malay, and Tamil, alongside the Language Elective Programme (Tamil).

Students can pursue Express, Normal (Academic), or Normal (Technical) streams, ensuring tailored education for diverse learning needs. The school’s cut-off points for admission reflect its competitive academic environment, with Express stream students typically requiring PSLE scores of 240 and above.

Stream	Cut-Off Points
Posting Group 3	8 – 12
Posting Group 2	21 – 23
Posting Group 1	25 – 27

Facilities and Extracurricular Activities

CWSS provides state-of-the-art facilities to support both academic and extracurricular pursuits. The campus features modern classrooms, well-equipped science laboratories, a library, sports facilities, music rooms, and a unique art gallery. The school’s eco-habitats, including a rainforest and wetland, serve as innovative spaces for environmental education, allowing students to engage with sustainability concepts firsthand.

The school offers a wide range of co-curricular activities (CCAs) to nurture students’ talents and interests:

Sports: Badminton, basketball, netball, football, cross country, and dragon boat.
Performing Arts: Choir, concert band, Chinese, Indian, and Malay dance, and English drama.
Uniformed Groups: Girl Guides, National Police Cadet Corps (NPCC), Red Cross Youth, and National Cadet Corps (NCC) Land.
Clubs and Societies: Robotics, environmental science, infocomm technology, and media production.

These activities foster teamwork, leadership, and creativity, complementing the school’s academic offerings.

Location and Contact

Commonwealth Secondary School is conveniently located at 698 West Coast Road, Singapore 608784. It is accessible via Jurong East and Clementi MRT stations, with bus services 30, 51, 78, 79, 143, 143M, 176, and 201 stopping nearby. For inquiries, contact the school at:

Phone: 6560 6866
Email: [email protected]
Website: commonwealthsec.moe.edu.sg
Social Media: Facebook, Instagram

FAQ’s about Commonwealth Secondary School

Is Commonwealth Secondary School a good school?
Information not available on the official websites as “good” is a subjective assessment. Commonwealth Secondary School is an autonomous government school, offering flexibility in designing programmes to meet students’ needs, and focuses on holistic education leading to O-Levels.
Source: https://www.moe.gov.sg/schoolfinder/schooldetail?schoolname=Commonwealth%20Secondary%20School

Is Commonwealth Secondary School a co-ed school?
Yes, Commonwealth Secondary School is a co-educational school catering to both boys and girls in a single session environment.
Source: https://www.moe.gov.sg/schoolfinder/schooldetail?schoolname=Commonwealth%20Secondary%20School

What is the ranking of Commonwealth Secondary School Sec School?
Singapore secondary schools do not have official rankings published by the Ministry of Education. School placement is based on PSLE achievement levels, student choices, and available vacancies rather than a ranked list.
Source: https://www.moe.gov.sg/schoolfinder

What is the cut-off point for Commonwealth Secondary School Sec School?
For the 2024 intake, the PSLE achievement level ranges for non-affiliated students are Posting Group 1: 25-27, Posting Group 2: 21-23, and Posting Group 3: 8-12. These ranges represent the scores of the last students admitted and may vary annually.
Source: https://www.moe.gov.sg/schoolfinder/schooldetail?schoolname=Commonwealth%20Secondary%20School

Is Commonwealth Secondary School affiliated with any primary school?
No, Commonwealth Secondary School is not affiliated with any primary school, so there are no affiliation bonuses for PSLE posting.
Source: https://www.moe.gov.sg/schoolfinder/schooldetail?schoolname=Commonwealth%20Secondary%20School

Does Commonwealth Secondary School offer Direct School Admission (DSA)?
Information not available on the official websites. Parents are advised to contact the school directly for details on any DSA talent areas or application process.
Source: https://www.commonwealthsec.moe.edu.sg/admissions/

What O-Level subjects are offered at Commonwealth Secondary School?
The school offers a wide range of O-Level subjects including English Language, Mathematics, Additional Mathematics, Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Physics), Humanities (Geography, History, Literature), Languages (Chinese, Malay, Tamil, Higher levels), Design & Technology, Computing, Art, Music, and Physical Education. Subject combinations are tailored to streams like Express and Normal.
Source: https://www.moe.gov.sg/schoolfinder/schooldetail?schoolname=Commonwealth%20Secondary%20School – Subjects Offered Section

Does Commonwealth Secondary School implement subject-based banding?
Yes, as part of the Ministry of Education’s full subject-based banding initiative, students can take subjects at more demanding levels based on their strengths, promoting personalised learning across Express, Normal (Academic), and Normal (Technical) streams.
Source: https://www.moe.gov.sg/microsites/psle-fsbb/full-subject-based-banding/main.html

What CCAs are available at Commonwealth Secondary School for character development?
CCAs include sports like Badminton, Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Netball; performing arts like Choir, Concert Band, Modern Dance, Percussion Ensemble; clubs like Coding, Environmental Science, Robotics, Infocomm Technology; and uniformed groups like NCC (Land), NPCC, Girl Guides, Red Cross Youth. These activities foster leadership, teamwork, and resilience for character building.
Source: https://www.moe.gov.sg/schoolfinder/schooldetail?schoolname=Commonwealth%20Secondary%20School – CCAs Section

Does Commonwealth Secondary School offer integrated programmes?
No, Commonwealth Secondary School does not offer integrated programmes like the Integrated Programme (IP); it provides a standard secondary curriculum leading to O-Levels or N-Levels.
Source: https://www.moe.gov.sg/schoolfinder/schooldetail?schoolname=Commonwealth%20Secondary%20School – Programmes Section

How does Commonwealth Secondary School support transitions from primary to secondary education?
Information not available on the official websites. Generally, MOE schools offer orientation programmes and buddy systems to ease the transition; contact the school for specific details.
Source: https://www.moe.gov.sg/secondary

What facilities does Commonwealth Secondary School have?
Information not available on the official websites. Contact the school for details on labs, sports fields, and other resources.
Source: https://www.commonwealthsec.moe.edu.sg/facilities/

What is the history of Commonwealth Secondary School?
Established in 1964 as Tanglin Integrated Vocational Secondary School, it was one of the earliest schools catering to vocational education. It later became Commonwealth Secondary School and has evolved to emphasise innovation, such as through design thinking and maker education.
Source: https://moehc.moe.edu.sg/school-histories/commonwealth-sec/

What are the school values at Commonwealth Secondary School?
The school’s values are Warmth (care and concern for others), Enterprise (initiative and resourcefulness), Attitude (positive mindset), Motivation (self-directed learning), and Integrity (honesty and trustworthiness), guiding student development.
Source: https://www.commonwealthsec.moe.edu.sg/about-cwss/values

Does Commonwealth Secondary School offer overseas trips?
Information not available on the official websites. Some schools incorporate international exposure through CCAs or programmes; check the curriculum page for updates.
Source: https://www.commonwealthsec.moe.edu.sg/imaginative-trailblazers/

How does Commonwealth Secondary School promote values education?
The school promotes values education through its ethos of nurturing confident learners with a growth mindset, encouraging tenacity and self-improvement, integrated into daily lessons and CCAs.
Source: https://www.commonwealthsec.moe.edu.sg/about-cwss/ethos-philosophy/

What is the uniform and discipline policy at Commonwealth Secondary School?
Information not available on the official websites. Standard MOE guidelines apply, with uniforms typically consisting of shirts, skirts/shorts, and emphasis on punctuality and respect; contact the school for specifics.
Source: https://www.commonwealthsec.moe.edu.sg/others/parents

What exam preparation support does Commonwealth Secondary School provide for O-Levels?
Information not available on the official websites. Schools generally offer revision classes and study skills workshops; refer to the academic programmes for latest updates.
Source: https://www.commonwealthsec.moe.edu.sg/confident-learner/academic-programmes

What career guidance is available at Commonwealth Secondary School?
The school provides Education and Career Guidance (ECG) experiences, including tools like DISC personality assessments to help students understand their strengths and explore post-secondary pathways.
Source: https://www.commonwealthsec.moe.edu.sg/steward-leaders/permalink/

What special electives or programmes does Commonwealth Secondary School offer to enhance search rankings?
Commonwealth Secondary School offers special electives like STEM Elective, Design Elective, and Language Elective Programme (Tamil), fostering innovation and language skills for post-secondary opportunities.
Source: https://www.moe.gov.sg/schoolfinder/schooldetail?schoolname=Commonwealth%20Secondary%20School – Programmes Section

You may want to check out other secondary schools in Singapore below:

As a parent in Singapore with a kid in secondary school soon, you know how crucial it is to prep for the O-Level and N-Level exams—they’re like big doors that lead to your child’s favorite junior college or polytechnic, shaping their future jobs and dreams. Math is a superstar in these exams, carrying a lot of weight in the total scores, sharpening smart thinking and problem-solving skills that help in other subjects like physics and economics, and directly affecting chances for top streams or courses after secondary school. That’s why getting good at math early and sticking with it is key—to dodge low grades, grow tough for tests, and grab those high marks for the best spots.

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The Importance of Mathematics and OMT

Mathematics is a cornerstone of education, equipping students with critical thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills essential for academic and professional success. At Commonwealth Secondary School, the mathematics curriculum is designed to challenge and inspire students, preparing them for the Singapore-Cambridge GCE Ordinary and Normal Level examinations.

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Disclaimer: All information provided here has been compiled from publicly available sources. While we have made every effort to ensure accuracy, we do not guarantee that the information is complete or error-free. We disclaim any liability for inaccuracies or omissions. If you find any errors or have concerns about the content, please let us know so we can address them promptly.