Riverside Secondary School: A Premier Choice for Quality Education in Singapore

If you’re exploring educational options for your children in Singapore, Riverside Secondary School is a standout choice for quality education. Established in 1987, this respected co-educational government school in Woodlands offers a nurturing environment that balances academic rigor with holistic development. In this article, we’ll delve into Riverside’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

Riverside Secondary School, located at 3 Woodlands Street 81, was founded in 1987 under the leadership of its pioneer principal, Mrs. Ngiam Geak Kim. Initially established at the site of Fuchun Secondary School, it relocated to its current premises in December 1987 and was officially inaugurated on July 14, 1990, by Mr. Lee Yiok Seng, then Member of Parliament for Bukit Panjang. The school’s motto, “My Best and More,” crafted by its second principal, Mr. Oliver J. Balasingam, reflects its commitment to encouraging students to exceed their potential.

Riverside adopts a holistic educational philosophy, focusing on engaging students through creative teaching methods, enhancing learning with differentiated instruction, and empowering them to take charge of their education. The school employs innovative pedagogies such as Multiple Intelligences, Problem-based Learning, and Socratic Questioning, ensuring students are motivated learners and practical problem-solvers. Its recognition as one of Singapore’s top 50 secondary schools underscores its dedication to excellence.

Academic Excellence

Riverside Secondary School offers a comprehensive curriculum designed to cater to diverse student interests and academic goals. The school provides a wide range of subjects, including:

Subject Category	Examples
Core Subjects	English Language, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies
Advanced Subjects	Additional Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics
Humanities	Geography, History, Literature in English, Humanities (Social Studies, Geography/History)
Languages	Chinese, Malay, Tamil, Higher Chinese/Malay/Tamil, Language Elective Programme (Tamil)
Applied Subjects	Design & Technology, Nutrition and Food Science, Principles of Accounts

The school’s Applied Learning Programme (ALP) in Humanities, titled “Global Citizenship Education through Critical Social Inquiry,” encourages students to explore global issues and develop critical thinking skills. The Learning for Life Programme (LLP) focuses on Music & Performing Arts and ICT and Digital Citizenship, fostering creativity and digital literacy.

Riverside has earned accolades for its academic performance, including Academic Value-Added Awards (Express) in 1993, 1994, 1995, and 1996, and Singapore Youth Festival awards for its niche dance program, recognized by the Ministry of Education in 2008. These achievements highlight Riverside’s commitment to academic excellence and its ability to prepare students for national examinations like the GCE ‘O’ and ‘N’ Levels.

Facilities and Extracurricular Activities

Riverside Secondary School is equipped with modern facilities to support both academic and extracurricular pursuits. These include air-conditioned classrooms, a well-stocked library, science laboratories, and an underground rifle range for its National Cadet Corps (NCC) program. The school’s sports facilities cater to a variety of athletic activities, ensuring students have access to resources that promote physical development.

The school offers an extensive range of co-curricular activities (CCAs) to nurture students’ talents and interests. Below is a snapshot of available CCAs:

Category	Activities
Sports	Badminton, Basketball, Netball, Football, Softball
Uniformed Groups	Boys’ Brigade, Girls’ Brigade, NPCC, NCC (Sea), NCDCC
Performing Arts	Choir, Modern Dance, Chinese Dance, Indian Dance, Malay Dance, English Drama
Clubs and Societies	Art and Crafts, Audio Visual Aid, Robotics, Environmental Science, Infocomm Technology (Media Production)

These CCAs provide opportunities for students to develop leadership, teamwork, and creative skills. The school’s dance program, in particular, has gained recognition for its excellence, offering students a platform to shine in the performing arts.

Location and Contact

Riverside Secondary School is conveniently located at 3 Woodlands Street 81, Singapore, just a 10-minute walk from Woodlands MRT station and bus interchange. Parents and students can also take bus service 911 from Woodlands bus interchange, alighting at the school’s main gate after eight stops.

For inquiries or to schedule a visit, contact the school at:

Phone: 6269 9631
Email: [email protected]
Website: riversidesec.moe.edu.sg
Social Media: Facebook, Instagram, YouTube

FAQ’s about Riverside Secondary School

Is Riverside Secondary School a good school?
Riverside Secondary School is a government co-educational institution offering a range of academic streams, subjects for O-Levels, and programmes like Applied Learning in Humanities and Learning for Life in Music & Performing Arts. It supports character development through diverse CCAs and has achieved recognition in academic and extracurricular areas. Whether it suits your child depends on their interests and needs; consider visiting the school for more insights.
Source: https://www.moe.gov.sg/schoolfinder/schooldetail?schoolname=Riverside%20Secondary%20School

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

What is the ranking of Riverside Secondary School?
Singapore’s Ministry of Education does not provide official rankings for secondary schools, as emphasis is placed on holistic development rather than comparative standings. Parents can evaluate based on programmes, achievements, and cut-off points.
Source: https://www.moe.gov.sg/schoolfinder/schooldetail?schoolname=Riverside%20Secondary%20School

What is the cut-off point for Riverside Secondary School?
The cut-off points from the previous Secondary 1 posting exercise are Posting Group 3 (8-13), Posting Group 2 (21-23), and Posting Group 1 (25-28). These vary annually based on PSLE results, so check the latest on the MOE website.
Source: https://www.moe.gov.sg/schoolfinder/schooldetail?schoolname=Riverside%20Secondary%20School

What CCAs are available at Riverside Secondary School for character development?
CCAs include sports like Badminton, Basketball, Netball, Football, and Softball; uniformed groups such as Boys’ Brigade, Girls’ Brigade, NPCC, NCC (Sea), and NCDCC; performing arts like Choir, Modern Dance, Chinese Dance, Indian Dance, Malay Dance, English Drama, and Concert Band; and clubs including Art and Crafts, Audio Visual Aid, Robotics, Environmental Science, and Infocomm Technology (Media Production). These foster leadership and teamwork.
Source: https://www.moe.gov.sg/schoolfinder/schooldetail?schoolname=Riverside%20Secondary%20School

What O-Level subjects are offered at Riverside Secondary School?
Subjects include Additional Mathematics, Art, Biology, Chemistry, Chinese Language, Computer Applications, Design & Technology, English Language, Food & Nutrition, Geography, Higher Chinese Language, Higher Malay Language, Higher Tamil Language, History, Literature in English, Malay Language, Mathematics, Music, Physical Education, Physics, Principles of Accounts, Science (Chem, Bio), Science (Phy, Chem), Social Studies, and Tamil Language. Subject combinations support Express and Normal streams.
Source: https://www.moe.gov.sg/schoolfinder/schooldetail?schoolname=Riverside%20Secondary%20School

Does Riverside Secondary School implement subject-based banding?
Yes, as part of Singapore’s full subject-based banding (SBB) initiative, students can take subjects at more demanding levels based on their strengths, allowing flexibility across Posting Groups. This supports personalized learning paths.
Source: https://www.moe.gov.sg/schoolfinder/schooldetail?schoolname=Riverside%20Secondary%20School

What is the Applied Learning Programme (ALP) at Riverside Secondary School?
The ALP focuses on Humanities – Global Citizenship Education through Critical Social Inquiry, helping students develop critical thinking and awareness of global issues integrated into the curriculum.
Source: https://www.moe.gov.sg/schoolfinder/schooldetail?schoolname=Riverside%20Secondary%20School

What is the Learning for Life Programme (LLP) at Riverside Secondary School?
The LLP is in Music & Performing Arts – ICT and Digital Citizenship, promoting creativity, digital literacy, and character building through arts and technology activities.
Source: https://www.moe.gov.sg/schoolfinder/schooldetail?schoolname=Riverside%20Secondary%20School

How does Riverside Secondary School prepare students for O-Levels and post-secondary pathways?
The school offers a broad curriculum with O-Level subjects, subject-based banding, and career guidance through programmes like ALP and LLP. Students are supported for transitions to junior colleges, polytechnics, or ITE; check the curriculum page for updates.
Source: https://www.moe.gov.sg/schoolfinder/schooldetail?schoolname=Riverside%20Secondary%20School

What is the admission process after PSLE for Riverside Secondary School?
Admission is through the Secondary 1 Posting Exercise based on PSLE scores and school choices. There are no affiliation bonuses as the school is non-affiliated; consider cut-off points when selecting.
Source: https://www.moe.gov.sg/schoolfinder/schooldetail?schoolname=Riverside%20Secondary%20School

Does Riverside Secondary School offer Direct School Admission (DSA)?
Yes, DSA is available for talented Primary 6 students in areas like Leadership and Character, Tamil Language, Performing Arts (Choir and Concert Band), Media, and STEM. It allows entry before PSLE results.
Source: https://www.riversidesec.moe.edu.sg/files/Riverside_Secondary_School_2025_Direct_School_Admission_Information__updated_27_April_2025_.pdf

How to apply via DSA to Riverside Secondary School?
Apply online via the MOE DSA-Sec Portal from 7 May to 3 June 2025. Shortlisted candidates attend auditions or interviews from 23 July to 7 August 2025; results are notified by email in late August to early September.
Source: https://www.riversidesec.moe.edu.sg/files/Riverside_Secondary_School_2025_Direct_School_Admission_Information__updated_27_April_2025_.pdf

Is Riverside Secondary School affiliated with any primary school?
No, Riverside Secondary School is not affiliated with any primary school, so there are no affiliation priority or bonus points for admission.
Source: https://www.moe.gov.sg/schoolfinder/schooldetail?schoolname=Riverside%20Secondary%20School

What facilities does Riverside Secondary School have?
The school provides support through Special Educational Needs Officers and standard facilities for academics, sports, and arts. For specific details, contact the school directly.
Source: https://www.moe.gov.sg/schoolfinder/schooldetail?schoolname=Riverside%20Secondary%20School

What are the school fees at Riverside Secondary School?
Information not available on the official websites. As a government school, fees are standardized; refer to the MOE fees page or contact the school for current rates.
Source: https://www.moe.gov.sg/financial-matters/fees

What is the school uniform policy at Riverside Secondary School?
Information not available on the official websites. Uniforms can be purchased online at www.khuniform.com or at the school, with options for self-collection or home delivery.
Source: https://www.riversidesec.moe.edu.sg/files/Purchase_Guide_for_School_Uniform_Updated.pdf

What discipline policies does Riverside Secondary School have?
Information not available on the official websites. Singapore secondary schools generally follow MOE guidelines on conduct, with emphasis on values and restorative practices; contact the school for details.
Source: https://www.moe.gov.sg/schoolfinder/schooldetail?schoolname=Riverside%20Secondary%20School

What career guidance is available at Riverside Secondary School?
The school provides career guidance through programmes aligned with post-secondary pathways, including counselling on O-Level choices and transitions. ALP and LLP also support skills for future readiness.
Source: https://www.moe.gov.sg/schoolfinder/schooldetail?schoolname=Riverside%20Secondary%20School

What alumni networks or overseas trips does Riverside Secondary School offer?
The Riverside Alumni engages former students to contribute to school excellence, though details on activities are limited. Information on overseas trips is not available; check the school’s announcements for updates.
Source: https://www.riversidesec.moe.edu.sg/our-partners/alumni/

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

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The Importance of Mathematics and OMT

Mathematics is a critical component of a student’s education, fostering logical reasoning, problem-solving, and analytical skills that are essential for academic success and future careers in fields like science, technology, engineering, and finance. Riverside Secondary School supports this through its robust mathematics curriculum, including Additional Mathematics for students pursuing advanced studies.

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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.