YCSS DSA: Community Youth Leadership
Apply for Yuan Ching Secondary School's DSA-CYL track if you have a passion for leadership and service. No prior experience is needed — only heart and potential.
Future Leaders Wanted: Heart Over Experience!
Students passionate about leadership and community service are welcome to apply for admission to Yuan Ching Secondary School through the DSA-CYL track. Applicants will be assessed based on their potential, passion, and alignment with CYL values, rather than prior experience alone. Students admitted to the school via the DSA-CYL track will experience Tiers 2 and 3 of the school's Learning for Life Programme in Community Youth Leadership.
Our Commitment
At Yuan Ching Secondary School, leadership is more than a title. We believe it is a lifelong journey of character, service, and purpose. Through Community Youth Leadership, we empower every student to rise, lead and elevate as they inspire positive change in their own lives and in the world around them.
Community Youth Leadership programme tiers overview
Tier 1 | Tier 2 | Tier 3 |
All students undergo leadership experiences based on the principles of Servant Leadership. | Students actively work towards one of the leadership positions available in the school. | Students get the opportunity to collaborate with external organisations, participate in Community Innovation Challenges and represent the school in leadership conferences. |
Criteria
We are looking for students who exhibit the following:
Very Good conduct grade
Demonstrates a potential for leadership in a group setting and above
Demonstrates the heart for service
(Optional) Formal school leadership appointments
Students who have relevant school portfolios (e.g., participation in student leadership bodies, VIA projects, or community service), awards (EAGLES and ECHA) and personal experiences are encouraged to present them. However, the absence of a portfolio will not disadvantage applicants, as the selection process focuses on potential, attitude, and alignment with CYL values.
Please also take note that meeting all the criteria does not guarantee the student will be shortlisted/given an offer.
Applicants who do not have prior experience may also apply. The school will assess applicants based on the selection criteria, which may include assessing the potential of the applicants.
Application Procedure & Timeline
Application for DSA-Sec can be submitted through the online DSA-Sec Portal. The application is free-of-charge and will be open from 6 May 2026, 11am to 2 June 2026, 4.30pm. For more details, please refer to MOE website – http://www.moe.gov.sg/dsa-sec .
Students currently not studying in MOE schools (i.e. non-mainstream school candidates and Returning Singaporeans) are required to apply for a Registration Number before they can apply through the DSA-Sec Portal. Details can be found at: https://go.gov.sg/nmsdsa-sec-application.
All international students are to take part in and fulfil the requirements of the Admissions Exercise for International Students (AEIS) before they can be considered for admission to secondary school via DSA-Sec.
Below are the key dates for the DSA application timeline.
DSA-Sec application key dates and timeline for 2026
Dates | Event |
6 May 2026 - 2 Jun 2026 | DSA Application Window |
29 Jun 2026 - 28 Aug 2026 | School-based selection activity for shortlisted applicants |
17 Aug 2026 - 28 Aug 2026 | Notification of selection outcomes |
19 Oct 2026 – 23 Oct 2026 | DSA-Sec School Preference Submission |
Late Nov | DSA Results Release |
Students who are successfully admitted to the school via DSA are expected to honour their commitment to the school, and actively work towards taking on a Tier 2 leadership role by the end of Secondary 1. These roles will provide a strong foundation for their leadership development towards the Tier 3 programme as they continue their journey through the CYL programme at YCSS.
You will receive notification from the school by 10 July 2026, if your child has been shortlisted to undergo Direct School Admission (DSA) selection. All applicants will receive their application outcomes between 17 Aug and 28 Aug 2026.