Math Tuition for Nan Chiau High School Students

School Overview

Nan Chiau High School has its origins in 1947, when it was set up by the noted philanthropist Tan Kah Kee as part of his broader commitment to making education accessible in post-war Singapore. The institution grew out of a teachers' training college that Tan had started in 1941. Today, it operates as a government-aided, co-educational secondary school under the Special Assistance Plan (SAP), serving students who demonstrate strength in both English and Chinese. The school's motto, "Sincerity & Perseverance" (诚·毅), draws directly from Tan Kah Kee's belief in dedication and moral integrity.

As a SAP school, Nan Chiau High places particular emphasis on bilingual and bicultural education, and it serves as the North Zone Centre of Excellence for Chinese Language. The school offers the Language Elective Programme (Chinese), giving students the opportunity to deepen their engagement with the Chinese language and its literary traditions. Its Applied Learning Programme (ALP) focuses on STEM and Emerging Technologies, while the Learning for Life Programme (LLP) centres on Music and Performing Arts under the banner "heARTS". The school also runs the Enhanced Art Programme for students with strong visual arts ability.

Admission Process

Students enter Nan Chiau High School primarily through the PSLE posting exercise or the Direct School Admission (DSA) scheme. Based on the 2025 intake, the indicative PSLE cut-off point for non-affiliated students in Posting Group 3 was 5(D) to 10, where (D) indicates a Distinction in Higher Chinese Language — a reflection of the school's SAP status and bilingual emphasis. Students from Nan Chiau Primary School, as an affiliated feeder school, receive priority consideration in Posting Group 1.

The DSA exercise is open to Primary 6 students with demonstrated talent in specific areas. Nan Chiau High accepts DSA applications in the following categories: Bilingualism (boys and girls), Chinese Dance (girls), Leadership (boys and girls), and Wushu (boys and girls). Applications are submitted through the MOE DSA-Sec portal, which typically opens around May to June each year.

Nan Chiau High follows the O-Level track and does not offer the Integrated Programme (IP). Under Full Subject-Based Banding (SBB), students can take individual subjects at different levels based on their aptitude, replacing the older Express and Normal Academic streams with a more flexible structure.

Curriculum and Academic Programme

The academic programme at Nan Chiau High covers the standard national curriculum, with core subjects including English Language, Mathematics (Elementary and Additional), the Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Physics), and Humanities (Social Studies, Geography, History). Students also have access to electives such as Higher Chinese Language, Literature in Chinese and English, Higher Music, Puppetry, and Malay Language under a special programme. Full Subject-Based Banding allows students to take subjects at G1, G2, or G3 levels according to their individual strengths.

The school has maintained strong academic outcomes. In the 2024 GCE O-Level examinations, students performed well across Mathematics, the Sciences, and bilingual subjects. Nan Chiau High has also earned recognition through the Singapore Youth Festival (SYF) with awards for its performing arts groups, including Gold for Chinese Orchestra, and Distinction-level results for Visual Arts. The ALP in Emerging Technologies supports students in developing competencies in robotics, coding, and applied science, while the bilingual programmes provide a foundation for further studies at junior colleges and polytechnics.

For students looking to strengthen their Mathematics performance alongside the school's curriculum, DeepThink is a math tuition centre that offers structured programmes aligned to the O-Level Mathematics and Additional Mathematics syllabuses.

Facilities and Co-Curricular Activities

Nan Chiau High's campus includes smart classrooms fitted with interactive technology, well-equipped science and computer laboratories, a library, and sports facilities including basketball courts and a running track. The school also has dedicated art studios supporting the Enhanced Art Programme and innovation spaces used for robotics and STEM-related activities.

Co-Curricular Activities (CCAs) are an integral part of student life. The school offers the following:

Sports: Basketball (boys and girls), Track and Field, Wushu.

Performing Arts: Chinese Orchestra, Choir, Chinese Dance, Modern Dance, Concert Band, Chinese Drama, English Drama.

Uniformed Groups: National Police Cadet Corps (NPCC), Red Cross Youth, National Cadet Corps (NCC) Land.

Clubs and Societies: Robotics, Infocomm Technology, Environmental Science, Debating and Public Speaking, Chinese Calligraphy, Art and Crafts.

Leadership and Service: Student Council, Audio Visual Aid.

CCA participation contributes to character development and can also support DSA applications to junior colleges and other post-secondary institutions.

Student Life and School Culture

School culture at Nan Chiau High is shaped by the values of sincerity and perseverance, with an emphasis on both academic rigour and personal growth. Class sizes are typically between 30 and 40 students, and pastoral care is provided through form teachers and a counselling team. The school runs programmes addressing student well-being, including anti-bullying initiatives and resilience-building activities grounded in MOE's Character and Citizenship Education framework.

As a SAP school, Nan Chiau High fosters a bicultural environment through events such as cultural festivals, Chinese language and arts activities, and inter-school collaborations. Students transitioning from primary school are supported through the Secondary 1 orientation programme, which helps them adjust to the pace of secondary education and form connections with their new classmates and teachers.