Commonwealth Secondary School
- Company typePublic
- Founded1964
- HeadquartersSingapore, Singapore
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Commonwealth Secondary School does
Commonwealth Secondary School (CWSS) is a Singapore government secondary school operating under the Ministry of Education at 698 West Coast Road (opposite Pandan Reservoir, Jurong East area), serving students aged 12–17 across Secondary 1 to 5. Founded in 1964 (originally as Tanglin Integrated Vocational Secondary School, renamed Commonwealth Secondary School in 1972) and granted autonomous status by MOE in 1995, the school is structured around three pillars — Confident Learner (Growth Mindset and the 5 Minds framework), Steward Leader (WEALTH values, Champion Mentor Programme, 4E1R Student Leadership Development Model), and Imaginative Trailblazer (Design Thinking, Maker Education, Eco Stewardship, and Aesthetics & Performing Arts). Notable programmatic assets include the TrailBlazer Programme (in-house Design & Innovation signature programme adopted since 2014 with a custom-built D.Space Maker Space), the Eco Stewardship Programme (selected by MOE in 2021 as one of four pilot schools), an eco-campus with 8 unique habitats (Rainforest, Stream, Wetland, Ecological Corridor, Marine Aquarium, Indoor and Outdoor Farms, Plant Nursery) and 1,744 solar panels meeting 95% of annual energy needs, and a Performing Arts programme with consistent top honours at the Singapore Youth Festival since 2001 (Band, Choir, Modern Dance, Indian Dance, Drama, Urban Percussion). The school was the first to receive the President's Award for the Environment (2009) and won ASEAN Eco-Schools Award (2012), MOE Innergy Award Silver (2024, Farm-to-Table Programme) and Bronze (2024, Champions in Action), plus SYF Distinctions/Accomplishments across five Performing Arts categories in 2025.
The school's business and distribution model is government-funded and centralised: education is provided at no cost to Singapore citizens, with admissions routed through MOE-administered channels including Direct School Admission (DSA, in five categories — Performing Arts, Environmental Science, Coding, Sports, Tamil Language), Admission Exercise for International Students (AEIS), Returning Singaporeans placement, and local transfer at Sec 2/3. Revenue mechanics are not publicly disclosed because the school operates within MOE budgetary allocations rather than commercial pricing. Customer segments span Primary 6 DSA applicants, Sec 1–5 local students, international students entering via AEIS, returning Singaporeans, and local transfer applicants; downstream service delivery also extends to external students attending Higher Chinese Language classes at the school and Tamil Language Elective Programme offerings — one of only three secondary schools nationally. Go-to-market relies on the official MOE website, DSA exercises, a Virtual CWSS Experience (virtual tour, graduate stories, 3 Minutes With videos), Twitter/X (@CWSSsg), community outreach (values-in-action projects, surplus produce donation to eldercare centres), and internationalisation trips to Japan, Thailand, and Surabaya, Indonesia. Leadership comprises Principal Mr Jeremy Ang (since 2023) with Vice-Principals Mr Daniel Ong and Mrs Claire Cho-Tan Shi Ying, supported by a School Advisory Committee chaired by Mr Lam Yen Gi Gideon.
Commonwealth Secondary School firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Commonwealth Secondary School
- Legal name
- Commonwealth Secondary School
- Website
- https://commonwealthsec.moe.edu.sg
- Company type
- Public
- Founded year
- 1964
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Commonwealth Secondary School industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Secondary Education
- NAICS
- Elementary and Secondary Schools (611110)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Public Middle Schools (EDAJAAAC)
Keywords
Where Commonwealth Secondary School is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Singapore
- HQ country
- Singapore
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices1 record
Markets served
Commonwealth Secondary School business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Commonwealth Secondary School product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Commonwealth Secondary School is a Singapore government-aided secondary school delivering the national secondary education curriculum (Secondary 1 to 5) for students aged 12–17. Its core offering centres on three pillars — Confident Learner (Growth Mindset and 5 Minds), Steward Leader (WEALTH values and Champion Mentor Programme), and Imaginative Trailblazer (TrailBlazer Design & Innovation, Eco Stewardship, and Aesthetics & Performing Arts) — supported by eight academic departments and Co-Curricular Activities across Sports, Aesthetics, Uniformed Groups, and Clubs & Societies.
Product overview
Commonwealth Secondary School is a Singapore government secondary school offering a comprehensive educational programme structured around three pillars: Confident Learner (Growth Mindset and 5 Minds), Steward Leader (WEALTH values and Champion Mentor Programme), and Imaginative Trailblazer (TrailBlazer Programme featuring Design Thinking, Maker Education, Eco Stewardship, and Aesthetics). The school provides academic programmes across eight departments (English Language & Literature, Humanities, Mathematics & Computing, Sciences, Craft & Technology, Mother Tongue Languages, Physical Education), alongside Co-Curricular Activities (Sports, Aesthetics, Uniformed Groups, Clubs & Societies). Signature programmes include the TrailBlazer Programme for innovation and design, Eco Stewardship Programme with sustainability education across Campus/Curriculum/Culture/Community pillars, and the Student Leadership Development Programme guided by the 4E1R Model. The school also offers a Virtual CWSS Experience platform for prospective students.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Confident Learner Programme A foundational educational programme that nurtures students with a Growth Mindset and the 5 Minds (Disciplined, Synthesising, Creating, Respectful, Ethical), fostering innovation, discovery, expression, and accomplishment. Delivered to all Secondary 1-5 students.
- Steward Leader Programme
- TrailBlazer Programme (TBP) An in-house Design & Innovation signature programme adopted since 2014. Students engage in purposeful making and creation through weekly workshops including STEM-based making, digital maker, aesthetics maker, and self-initiated projects, with dedicated TrailBlazer Space time on Thursday afternoons.
- Eco Stewardship Programme A comprehensive sustainability education programme piloted since 2021, anchored on four pillars — Campus, Curriculum, Culture, and Community — featuring eco-habitats (Rainforest, Stream, Wetland, Marine Aquarium, Farms, Plant Nursery), Farm-to-Table Programme, and biodiversity documentation with over 2,300 Instagram posts.
- Aesthetics & Performing Arts Programme
- Co-Curricular Activities (CCA)
- Champion Mentor Programme
- Student Leadership Development Programme
- Values in Action (VIA) Programme
- Sexuality Education Programme
- English Language & Literature Programme
- Sciences Programme
- Mathematics & Computing Programme
- Craft and Technology Programme
- Virtual CWSS Experience
Quantifiable outcome
- 95% of annual energy needs met by solar panels
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Commonwealth Secondary School
Customer profileSegments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Commonwealth Secondary School technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Commonwealth Secondary School partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Japan SchoolsminorInternationalisation trips to Japan create authentic learning environments for students to learn and interact with people of different cultures, developing self-confidence, independence, and global awareness.
- Thailand SchoolsminorInternationalisation trips to Thailand provide immersive cultural experiences and opportunities for students to expand understanding of global affairs through field trips and school exchanges.
- Indonesia Schools (Surabaya)minorInternationalisation trip to Surabaya, Indonesia for cultural immersion and cross-cultural learning experiences.
- National Institute of Education (NIE)minorNIE produced VR360 videos of the school's eco habitats allowing virtual immersion in biodiversity spaces including Full walkthrough, The Stream, Plant Nursery, Rainforest, Wildflower Meadows, and The Wetland.
- Ministry of Education SingaporecoreCWSS is one of three Secondary schools offering Tamil Language Elective Programme in Singapore. Also a Higher Chinese Language Centre conducting lessons for students from other schools. Selected as pilot school for Eco Stewardship Programme.
- Community GardenersminorCollaboration with community gardeners to exchange knowledge and refine urban farming techniques for the Farm-to-Table Programme.
- Eldercare Centres and Community Food ProgrammesminorSurplus produce from the school's hydroponics and vertical farming donated to eldercare centres and community food programmes in the neighbourhood.
- Teban and Pandan Gardens ResidentsminorAnnual gift bag making event where students across all levels pack celebratory items to share joy with elderly residents.
- Yakult FactoryminorLearning journey venue where Secondary 2 and 3 students observe Science in action and appreciate scientific concepts applied in industry.
- HSA Blood BankminorLearning journey venue for students to observe Science in action through visits to health-related facilities.
- Kok Fah FarmminorLearning journey destination where students appreciate how scientific concepts are applied in agriculture and food production.
- Lee Kong Chian Natural History MuseumminorLearning journey venue where students observe natural history and biodiversity concepts in action.
- SunRice AcademyminorNutrition and Food Science students visit to learn about the food industry and participate in pizza and dessert making activities.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Commonwealth Secondary School competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Raffles Institution: Raffles Institution is one of Singapore's premier autonomous government secondary schools with a long history of academic excellence and strong special programmes (Humanities, Science, Maths, Leadership). Directly comparable to CWSS as a Singapore MOE autonomous secondary school competing for the same DSA talent pool.
- Dunman High School: Dunman High School is an autonomous Singapore government secondary school with a Special Assistance Plan (SAP) status and strong Chinese-language heritage focus. Comparable to CWSS as another MOE autonomous secondary school with distinctive specialization and competing for talent-based admissions.
- River Valley High School: River Valley High School is an autonomous Singapore government secondary school with strong academic outcomes and special programmes. Directly comparable to CWSS as an MOE autonomous secondary school competing in the same talent-based admissions framework.
- Hwa Chong Institution: Hwa Chong Institution is a top-tier Singapore autonomous government secondary school offering the Integrated Programme with specializations in science, humanities, leadership, and talent development. Comparable to CWSS as a leading MOE school competing in the same DSA admissions and seeking academic distinction.
- School of Science and Technology, Singapore: School of Science and Technology (SST) is a Singapore government specialized secondary school with a strong STEM and applied learning focus. Comparable to CWSS in the DSA-STEM space and as a similarly MOE-affiliated specialized secondary school attracting talent-based admissions in environmental science and coding.
- Victoria School: Victoria School is an autonomous Singapore government secondary school known for its tradition and academic distinction. Directly comparable to CWSS as another MOE autonomous secondary school with selective DSA admissions and programme specialization.
- NUS High School of Math and Science: NUS High School of Math and Science is a Singapore specialized secondary school offering an accelerated math and science curriculum with strong research opportunities. Comparable to CWSS as another Singapore secondary institution competing for top STEM-oriented DSA talent.
Broad incumbents
- Anglo-Chinese School (Independent): Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) is a long-established private secondary school in Singapore with a broad academic and CCA portfolio. Comparable to CWSS as a Singapore secondary school with strong academic reputation, though privately governed and of broader historic scope.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Commonwealth Secondary School social profiles
Digital presenceCommonwealth Secondary School financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Commonwealth Secondary School leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Commonwealth Secondary School funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Commonwealth Secondary School M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Commonwealth Secondary School
What does Commonwealth Secondary School do?
Commonwealth Secondary School is a Singapore government-aided secondary school delivering the national secondary education curriculum (Secondary 1 to 5) for students aged 12–17. Its core offering centres on three pillars — Confident Learner (Growth Mindset and 5 Minds), Steward Leader (WEALTH values and Champion Mentor Programme), and Imaginative Trailblazer (TrailBlazer Design & Innovation, Eco Stewardship, and Aesthetics & Performing Arts) — supported by eight academic departments and Co-Curricular Activities across Sports, Aesthetics, Uniformed Groups, and Clubs & Societies.
Is Commonwealth Secondary School a public or private company?
Commonwealth Secondary School is a public company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Commonwealth Secondary School founded?
Commonwealth Secondary School was founded in 1964. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Commonwealth Secondary School based?
Commonwealth Secondary School is headquartered in Singapore, Singapore, in the Asia region.
Who are Commonwealth Secondary School's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Raffles Institution, Dunman High School, River Valley High School, Hwa Chong Institution, School of Science and Technology, Singapore, Victoria School and NUS High School of Math and Science. Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Commonwealth Secondary School have an API?
No public API is recorded for Commonwealth Secondary School.
What industry is Commonwealth Secondary School in?
Commonwealth Secondary School's product category is Secondary Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAJAAAC, Public Middle Schools. Its NAICS code is 611110 and its SIC code is 8200.