Chinese Dance Direct School Admission (DSA) Guide for Secondary Schools

Direct School Admission (DSA) is a pathway for students with outstanding talents, including in Chinese Dance, to secure a place in Singapore’s top secondary schools.This guide provides detailed, step-by-step guidance on applying for DSA in Chinese Dance, including application form completion, audition preparation, interview tips, and the role of academic performance in the selection process. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, please refer to the Ministry of Education’s official website.

1. Basic Requirements for DSA Chinese Dance Application

Although specific requirements may vary across schools, the general criteria for applying to DSA under Chinese Dance include the following:

Dance Ability

• A solid foundation in basic techniques such as flexibility, backbends, splits, and pointed toes
• Mastery of technical skills like turns, big leap, fan kicks, and spins
• Performance experience, including participation in competitions, stage performances, or school dance teams
• Good musicality and expressiveness, demonstrated through gestures, facial expressions, and body movements

Relevant Certifications & Competition Experience (Bonus Points)

• Beijing Dance Academy grading certificates or Certifications like CSTD (Commonwealth Society of Teachers of Dancing)
• Participation in the Singapore Youth Festival (SYF)
• Awards from school or external dance competitions, such as the National Dance Competition, Asia Dance Arts Competition, or others
• Additionally, a demonstrated commitment to continuous improvement and learning in dance will be looked upon favourably by most schools.

2. Academic Requirements

While DSA for Chinese Dance places a primary focus on talent, schools may still consider academic performance, particularly when applying to top schools.

Applying to Top Schools (e.g. NYGH)

• Academic performance is crucial and will significantly influence your application, especially for academic-based DSA (like Mathematics, Science, or Writing). These schools aim to admit well-rounded students, even for those applying under the Chinese Dance category.
• P4-P6 mid-year grades (CA1 / SA1) results (especially P5-P6) are often reviewed, focusing on core subjects like English, Mathematics, Science, and Mother Tongue.
• Some schools may require applicants to take additional written tests or assessments to ensure they can cope with the academic load.

Applying to General IP Schools (e.g., NJC, DHS, RVHS, SOTA)

• Academic performance plays an increasingly important role in DSA applications, as competition for spots has intensified. While these schools prioritize talent in Chinese Dance, they also seek students who can maintain a strong academic standing. A consistent academic record in Primary 4 to Primary 6 is important, and significantly weak performance may affect DSA chances
• For specialized schools like SOTA (School of the Arts), artistic ability remains the primary focus. However, students are still expected to demonstrate a reasonable level of academic competence in Primary 5 and 6 to ensure they can manage the demands of both artistic and academic development.

Applying to O-Level Schools (Non-IP Program)

• Academic performance is less influential as long as the student meets the basic PSLE requirements.
• However, if the student’s academic performance has been inconsistent, with multiple failures in core subjects, schools may have concerns about the student’s ability to handle secondary school coursework.

Weight of Academic Performance From P4-P6

• P4 Grades: These grades are generally not heavily considered as students are still adjusting to primary school learning.
• P5 Grades: More important than P4, P5 grades indicate a student’s potential for continued academic success in secondary school.
• P6 Mid-Year Grades: These grades may be reviewed (CA1/SA1) as part of the final evaluation before PSLE results are available.

Summary of School Type and Academic Performance Impact

If you aim for a top IP school, your P5-P6 academic performance will be important. However, for schools like SOTA or general government schools, the focus remains on your Chinese Dance talent.

3. How to Fill in the Application Form

Follow MOE website to complete the DSA-Sec Portal application (based on MOE’s guidelines). Visit Direct School Admission (DSA-Sec): Apply | MOE

When filling out the application form, ensure that you provide accurate and complete information for each section. Below is a refined example of how to fill out the “Non-School Based Awards/Activities” section.

Examples for Filling in the “Non-School Based Awards/Activities” Section:

Note: Up to 10 entries. School-based CCA data is auto-shared, so focus on external achievements.

1. Chinese Dance Training Experience:
   • Duration: “01/2018 – Present”
   • Name: “Chinese Dance Training at Tang Dance Academy”
   • Description: “Studied traditional and contemporary Chinese dance for over 5 years at the Tang Dance Academy, mastering both classical and folk dance techniques.”
2. Certifications:
   • Duration: “06/2021”
   • Name: “Beijing Dance Academy Grade 8 Certification”
   • Description: “Successfully passed the Grade 8 advanced certification exam, demonstrating proficiency in Chinese classical dance techniques.”
   • Note: List each certification separately.
3. Competition Experience:
   • Duration: “02/2024”
   • Name: “Asia Dance Arts Festival Competition 2024”
   • Description: “Won the Silver Award in the Senior Chinese Dance category at the 2024 Asia Dance Arts Competition, competing against dancers from 12 countries.”
   • Note: Each competition and award can be listed separately.
4. Performance Experience:
   • Duration: “01/2024 – 02/2024”
   • Name: “Performed at the Chingay Parade 2024”
   • Description: “Participated as a lead dancer in the Chingay Parade, performing traditional Chinese dance for a global audience.”
   • Note: Multiple performance entries can be added.
5. Leadership Roles:
   • Duration: “12/2023”
   • Name: “Lead Dancer in School’s SYF competition 2023”
   • Description: “Served as the lead dancer for the school’s SYF competition, choreographed and performed a traditional Chinese “
   • Note: Each leadership or significant performance role can be listed separately.

Tips for Filling Out the Form:

• Accuracy: Ensure all dates, event names, and details are correct.
• Highlight Achievements: Focus on notable external, non-school-based awards or performances that reflect your growth in Chinese dance.
• Character Limits: Be mindful of the character limits (50 characters for the title and 300 for the description).
• Relevance: Only include external achievements related to Chinese dance to keep the entries impactful and relevant.

4. Audition Process

If shortlisted, you will be invited for an audition between June and August. The audition typically includes:

Audition Components:

• Choreographed Dance: The school may provide a short dance sequence for you to learn and perform.
• Self-Choreographed Dance: Prepare a 1-2 minute performance of your choice.
• Technical Skills Test: This will assess your flexibility, turns, jumps, and other fundamental movements.
• Improvisation: You may be asked to dance to a random piece of music on the spot.

Audition Tips:

• Select a routine that highlights your strengths.
• Focus on strengthening your foundational skills such as flexibility and stability in turns.
• Practice improvisation with a variety of music styles.
• Maintain confidence and show enthusiasm during the audition.

5. Interview Process & Common Questions

If you pass the audition, the school may invite you for an interview. Common questions include:

1. Why did you choose to apply for DSA under Chinese Dance?
   Sample Answer:
   “I have always loved Chinese dance because it allows me to express emotions through movement. I enjoy the combination of strength and elegance in the dance, and I hope to contribute to my future school’s dance team.”
2. How do you balance academics and dance training?
   Sample Answer:
   “I schedule my time carefully to balance schoolwork and dance practice. I make sure to finish my homework before training and review my studies regularly. Dance has taught me discipline, which also helps in my academics.”
3. Selection Results & Offers

DSA results will be released between September and October. Possible outcomes include:

• Confirmed Offer (CO): Guaranteed admission. If the student achieves a PSLE score that qualifies them for a Posting Group offered by the school.
• Waitlist (WL): The student is on standby if other students turn down their confirmed offers. The student also needs achieve a PSLE score that qualifies them for a Posting Group offered by the school
• Rejected: If unsuccessful, the student will proceed with the standard PSLE Secondary 1 Posting.

If you accept a Confirmed Offer (CO), you will forgo the Secondary 1 Posting Exercise and must enroll in the chosen school.

7. Key Strategies for a Successful Application

• Start preparing your dance portfolio and certifications early.
• Choose schools that align with your skill level and experience.
• Practice audition and interview techniques in advance.
• Ensure a strong PSLE academic record in case the DSA application is unsuccessful, allowing for a smooth transition via the PSLE posting.

This guide provide general information for students applying for DSA in Chinese Dance. If you need more specific advice tailored to a particular school or strategy, feel free to reach out our teacher for further discussion. 

Please refer to the following list for all the schools that offer the Chinese Dance/Chinese and Modern Dance DSA program for 2024. The list for 2025 will be available following the release by MOE.