Admission to SAMS

Applications for Primary 1 (2027) are currently open.  

Please note that all students are only allowed to apply to one school at each time.

Admission Criteria

  1. Age – Children aged 7 to 9 years old (age based on the enrolment year) can register for Primary 1.
  2. Nationality – Singapore Citizens will be given priority for admissions.
  • Singapore Permanent Residents (PR) and International Students (IS) can apply for admissions, subject to vacancies and the terms and conditions stated by the Ministry of Education, Singapore.
  • Kindly note that PRs and IS students will be served only if there are no Singapore Citizens on the waiting list.

3. Profile – Child needs to have a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

  • Adequate cognitive, language, and literacy skills necessary to access and engage with the language demands of the Singapore National Curriculum.
  • Joint attention skills to be able to access learning in a structured group learning environment of up to 12 students per class.

4. Other Requirements – Adequate self-help and adaptive behaviour skills.

  • No behavioural challenges or co-morbid conditions that will disrupt and affect group learning, and/or pose significant safety concerns for the individual and those around them.

How to Apply

Please submit your child’s application using the digitised Special Education (SPED) school application form, at https://go.gov.sg/spedschoolapplform . Your child must be diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Please attach a diagnostic report from a relevant medical professional or psychologist. Please note that the process for application to the school only commences upon full submission of all required documents (i.e. completed digitized application form and submission of all required supporting documents).

Applicants may be called for an intake assessment to ascertain suitability.
*Note: An application to the school and/or offer for an intake assessment is not a guarantee of placement, and is still subject to suitability and vacancies.

  • Application Timeline:
    • Document Screening – 2 to 4 weeks
    • (If offered) Schedule for Intake Assessment – 2 to 4 weeks
    • Application Outcome – 6 to 8 weeks

For all admission enquiries, please email: [email protected] 

Read more about the application process: https://www.moe.gov.sg/special-educational-needs/apply

For more info on how to fill in the application form, refer to the user guide: https://www.moe.gov.sg/api/media/a4cf493e-29b5-4751-8ad6-4557972b11f9/sped-school-application-user-guide.pdf

Transfer from Mainstream Schools

 With effect from 10 October 2022, applications for transfer from mainstream schools to SPED schools must be facilitated through the child’s mainstream school. Please approach the mainstream school Principal / School Leaders to apply for the transfer.

Direct applications from parents/legal guardians, private professionals, and hospitals will not be accepted. For more information, please visit: https://www.moe.gov.sg/special-educational-needs/apply 

Waitlising in SPED Schools for P1 Placement

With effect from 1 January 2023, a child applying for placement in Primary 1 in a government-funded SPED school can only be placed on the waitlist if the child has first been placed in another government-funded SPED school1 which serves the same primary diagnosed condition.

For the list of SPED schools categorised by the primary diagnosed conditions, please refer to https://www.moe.gov.sg/special-educational-needs/sped-schools.  

This requirement will also apply to returning Singaporeans entering SPED schools at all levels.

1A child placed in a mainstream school will not be eligible to be on the waitlists for SPED schools. Should there be interest to transfer the child to a SPED school, please refer to the “Transfers from Mainstream Schools to SPED schools” section for more details.

Frequently Asked Questions

Applicants with special education needs who meet the admission criteria for our autism school (national curriculum) as outlined may be required to attend a screening assessment to ascertain suitability for admission to the school.

For more details on our admissions process, click here.

Our application document is aligned to MOE’s. Please use the new Section 4. This can be found here: https://go.gov.sg/spedapplication-asdnc

All mainstream transfers will have to go through MOE.

If your child is currently in an existing mainstream school, please approach your child’s School Principal, Psychologist and/or School Special Needs Officer.

No, priority is not given.

SAMS has 2 scheduled open house dates annually – (Tentative; dates will be announced closer to event). 

For other enquiries on admissions,

please email us at admissions@sams.org.sg

Applications for Primary 1 (2027) are currently open.    

Please note that all students are only allowed to apply to one school at each time.

Admission Criteria

  1. Age – Children aged 7 to 9 years old (age based on the enrolment year) can register for Primary 1.

  2. Nationality – Singapore Citizens will be given priority for admissions.
  • Singapore Permanent Residents (PR) and International Students (IS) can apply for admissions, subject to vacancies and the terms and conditions stated by the Ministry of Education, Singapore.
  • Kindly note that PRs and IS students will be served only if there are no Singapore Citizens on the waiting list.

3. Profile – Child needs to have a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

  • Adequate cognitive, language, and literacy skills necessary to access and engage with the language demands of the Singapore National Curriculum.
  • Joint attention skills to be able to access learning in a structured group learning environment of up to 12 students per class.

4. Other Requirements – Adequate self-help and adaptive behaviour skills.

  • No behavioural challenges or co-morbid conditions that will disrupt and affect group learning, and/or pose significant safety concerns for the individual and those around them.

How to Apply

Please submit your child’s application using the digitised Special Education (SPED) school application form, at https://go.gov.sg/spedschoolapplform . Your child must be diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Please attach a diagnostic report from a relevant medical professional or psychologist. Please note that the process for application to the school only commences upon full submission of all required documents (i.e. completed digitized application form and submission of all required supporting documents).

Applicants may be called for an intake assessment to ascertain suitability.

*Note: An application to the school and/or offer for an intake assessment is not a guarantee of placement, and is still subject to suitability and vacancies.
  • Application Timeline:
    • Document Screening – 2 to 4 weeks
    • (If offered) Schedule for Intake Assessment – 2 to 4 weeks
    • Application Outcome – 6 to 8 weeks

For all admission enquiries, please email: [email protected] 

Read more about the application process: https://www.moe.gov.sg/special-educational-needs/apply

For more info on how to fill in the application form, refer to the user guide: https://www.moe.gov.sg/media
/files/special-education/sped-school-application-user-guide

Transfer from Mainstream Schools

With effect from 10 October 2022, applications for transfer from mainstream schools to SPED schools must be facilitated through the child’s mainstream school. Please approach the mainstream school Principal / School Leaders to apply for the transfer.

Direct applications from parents/legal guardians, private professionals, and hospitals will not be accepted. For more information, please visit:

Waitlising in SPED Schools for P1 Placement

With effect from 1 January 2023, a child applying for placement in Primary 1 in a government-funded SPED school can only be placed on the waitlist if the child has first been placed in another government-funded SPED school1 which serves the same primary diagnosed condition.

For the list of SPED schools categorised by the primary diagnosed conditions, please refer to https://www.moe.gov.sg
/special-educational-needs/sped-schools

This requirement will also apply to returning Singaporeans entering SPED schools at all levels.

1A child placed in a mainstream school will not be eligible to be on the waitlists for SPED schools. Should there be interest to transfer the child to a SPED school, please refer to the “Transfers from Mainstream Schools to SPED schools” section for more details.

Frequently Asked Questions

Applicants with special education needs who meet the admission criteria for our autism school (national curriculum) as outlined may be required to attend a screening assessment to ascertain suitability for admission to the school.

For more details on our admissions process, click here.

Our application document is aligned to MOE’s. Please use the new Section 4. This can be found here: https://go.gov.sg/spedapplication-asdnc

All mainstream transfers will have to go through MOE.

If your child is currently in an existing mainstream school, please approach your child’s School Principal, Psychologist and/or School Special Needs Officer.

No, priority is not given.

SAMS has 2 scheduled open house dates annually – (Tentative; dates will be announced closer to event). 

For other enquiries on admissions,

please email us at admissions@sams.org.sg