Singapore Primary Schools Ranked By Popularity
(Updated 18 Oct 2008) Smart KiasuParents do not target a school where we have little chance of getting into. The KiasuParents.com Popularity Ranking for Primary Schools is meant to let parents appreciate the odds of getting their children into their dream schools. "Popularity" is measured as the perceived difficulty of getting a place in the school based on the previous 2 years' Primary 1 registration status.
We have changed our methodology for measuring popularity into a 2 step process: We first count the number of times the school is involved in a ballot situation, with higher weightages given to distances below 1km and 2km. Next, we sort by the average number of applications versus the number of vacancies for a school in Phase 2C over the past 3 years. Naturally, schools which are several times oversubscribed over the past 3 years, (ie. >100% of available places) will float up to the top.
As our data is incomplete (we only have 2008 and most of 2007's data), we can only average over 2008 and 2007. In cases of missing data, we simply used the following year's numbers as the average value.
Note that this list would be updated after every Primary 1 Registration exercise.
| Legend | ||||
| Balloting required for <1km | Cut-off, no balloting for <1km | |||
| Balloting required for 1-2km | Cut-off, no balloting for 1-2km | |||
| Balloting required for >2km | Cut-off, no balloting for >2km | |||
| No Color = No balloting required for that Phase | ||||
| Cut-Off = There were an exact number of applicants within one of the 3 distance bands | ||||
| TUR = Cumulative Take-Up Rate at the end of the Phase | ||||
| APP = Number of Applicants versus available places for that Phase | ||||
| School | 2008 Phase 2C | 2007 Phase 2C | 2006 Phase 2C | Average APP | Ballot Count |
| APP | APP | APP | |||
| CHIJ St Nicholas Girls’ | 174% | 173% | 173% | 18 | |
| Catholic High | 175% | 135% | 149% | 18 | |
| Ai Tong | 163% | 134% | 144% | 16.5 | |
| Anglo-Chinese School (Primary) | 132% | 123% | 126% | 14 | |
| St Hilda’s Primary | 387% | 219% | 275% | 13.5 | |
| De La Salle | 221% | 214% | 216% | 13.5 | |
| Nan Chiau Primary | 306% | 306% | 13 | ||
| Tao Nan | 136% | 165% | 155% | 13 | |
| Nanyang Primary | 113% | 124% | 120% | 12.5 | |
| Chongfu Primary | 175% | 141% | 152% | 12 | |
| Kong Hwa | 137% | 159% | 152% | 12 | |
| Rosyth | 247% | 331% | 303% | 11 | |
| Holy Innocents’ Primary | 154% | 146% | 149% | 11 | |
| Pei Chun Public | 125% | 155% | 145% | 11 | |
| CHIJ Primary (Toa Payoh) | 138% | 126% | 130% | 11 | |
| Methodist Girls’ School (Primary) | 116% | 121% | 119% | 11 | |
| Henry Park Primary | 126% | 141% | 136% | 10.5 | |
| Anglo-Chinese School (Junior) | 126% | 137% | 133% | 10.5 | |
| Nan Hua Primary | 314% | 160% | 211% | 10 | |
| Red Swastika | 144% | 227% | 199% | 10 | |
| St Anthony’s Primary | 193% | 165% | 174% | 10 | |
| Northland Primary | 233% | 126% | 162% | 10 | |
| Temasek Primary | 161% | 147% | 152% | 10 | |
| St Andrew’s Junior | 143% | 142% | 143% | 10 | |
| Paya Lebar Methodist Girls’ | 118% | 140% | 132% | 10 | |
| Fairfield Methodist Primary | 119% | 103% | 108% | 10 | |
| Rivervale Primary | 349% | 349% | 9 | ||
| Rulang Primary | 190% | 345% | 293% | 9 | |
| West Grove Primary | 301% | 253% | 269% | 9 | |
| Jurong West Primary | 190% | 260% | 237% | 9 | |
| Mee Toh | 228% | 228% | 9 | ||
| South View Primary | 176% | 209% | 198% | 9 | |
| Woodlands Ring Primary | 133% | 180% | 164% | 9 | |
| Admiralty Primary | 147% | 164% | 158% | 9 | |
| Chongzheng Primary | 205% | 125% | 152% | 9 | |
| Princess Elizabeth Primary | 121% | 159% | 147% | 9 | |
| Evergreen Primary | 174% | 131% | 145% | 9 | |
| St Joseph’s Institution Junior | 166% | 133% | 144% | 9 | |
| Canberra Primary | 144% | 144% | 9 | ||
| East Spring Primary | 118% | 152% | 141% | 9 | |
| Gongshang Primary | 150% | 131% | 137% | 9 | |
| Pei Hwa Presbyterian Primary | 121% | 130% | 127% | 9 | |
| Woodgrove Primary | 126% | 109% | 115% | 9 | |
| Hougang Primary | 124% | 101% | 109% | 9 | |
| Poi Ching | 103% | 104% | 104% | 8.5 | |
| Pasir Ris Primary | 121% | 163% | 149% | 8 | |
| White Sands Primary | 116% | 126% | 123% | 8 | |
| Maha Bodhi | 124% | 120% | 121% | 8 | |
| Xinmin Primary | 124% | 109% | 114% | 8 | |
| Keming Primary | 129% | 107% | 114% | 8 | |
| Yu Neng Primary | 111% | 108% | 109% | 8 | |
| Compassvale Primary | 166% | 166% | 7 | ||
| Jiemin Primary | 137% | 142% | 140% | 7 | |
| Anderson Primary | 122% | 145% | 138% | 7 | |
| Bukit Panjang Primary | 145% | 109% | 121% | 7 | |
| Unity Primary | 101% | 102% | 102% | 7 | |
| Hong Wen | 164% | 164% | 6 | ||
| Radin Mas Primary | 139% | 139% | 6 | ||
| St Stephen’s | 128% | 139% | 135% | 6 | |
| Kuo Chuan Presbyterian Primary | 131% | 120% | 123% | 6 | |
| CHIJ Our Lady of the Nativity | 127% | 115% | 119% | 6 | |
| CHIJ Our Lady of Good Counsel | 110% | 117% | 115% | 6 | |
| CHIJ (Kellock) | 113% | 113% | 6 | ||
| Singapore Chinese Girls’ Primary | 110% | 110% | 6 | ||
| Shuqun Primary | 102% | 113% | 110% | 6 | |
| Clementi Primary | 110% | 107% | 108% | 5 | |
| Yew Tee Primary | 101% | 86% | 91% | 5 | |
| Raffles Girls’ Primary | 186% | 192% | 190% | 4.5 | |
| CHIJ Our Lady Queen of Peace | 115% | 131% | 126% | 4 | |
| Maris Stella High | 123% | 122% | 123% | 4 | |
| River Valley Primary | 130% | 118% | 122% | 4 | |
| Fuchun Primary | 107% | 107% | 107% | 4 | |
| Jurong Primary | 119% | 86% | 97% | 4 | |
| Beacon Primary | 136% | 98% | 111% | 3.5 | |
| Zhangde Primary | 129% | 100% | 110% | 3 | |
| Xingnan Primary | 111% | 101% | 104% | 3 | |
| Greenwood Primary | 111% | 95% | 100% | 3 | |
| Geylang Methodist School | 96% | 102% | 100% | 3 | |
| Telok Kurau Primary | 70% | 98% | 89% | 3 | |
| Bendemeer Primary | 71% | 71% | 3 | ||
| St Margaret’s Primary | 100% | 100% | 2 | ||
| CHIJ (Katong) Primary | 125% | 85% | 98% | 2 | |
| Fengshan Primary | 88% | 84% | 86% | 2 | |
| Kheng Cheng | 72% | 89% | 83% | 2 | |
| St Anthony’s Canossian Primary | 80% | 95% | 90% | 1 | |
| Ngee Ann Primary | 100% | 79% | 86% | 1 | |
| St Gabriel’s Primary | 73% | 73% | 73% | 1 | |
| Marymount Convent | 64% | 51% | 56% | 1 | |
| Cedar Primary | 54% | 55% | 55% | 1 | |
| Elias Park Primary | 65% | 92% | 83% | 0 | |
| Casuarina Primary | 71% | 87% | 82% | 0 | |
| Greenridge Primary | 83% | 77% | 79% | 0 | |
| Punggol Primary | 55% | 89% | 78% | 0 | |
| Tanjong Katong Primary | 73% | 79% | 77% | 0 | |
| Tampines North Primary | 89% | 68% | 75% | 0 | |
| Ang Mo Kio Primary | 93% | 63% | 73% | 0 | |
| Endeavour Primary | 71% | 71% | 0 | ||
| Edgefield Primary | 67% | 67% | 0 | ||
| Changkat Primary | 74% | 63% | 67% | 0 | |
| Gan Eng Seng Primary | 66% | 66% | 0 | ||
| Meridien Primary | 79% | 58% | 65% | 0 | |
| Concord Primary | 61% | 66% | 65% | 0 | |
| Townsville Primary | 68% | 62% | 64% | 0 | |
| Haig Girls’ | 69% | 60% | 63% | 0 | |
| Zhenghua Primary | 52% | 67% | 62% | 0 | |
| Yangzheng Primary | 63% | 60% | 61% | 0 | |
| Chua Chu Kang Primary | 54% | 65% | 61% | 0 | |
| Sembawang Primary | 61% | 61% | 0 | ||
| Woodlands Primary | 66% | 58% | 61% | 0 | |
| Innova Primary | 83% | 49% | 61% | 0 | |
| Teck Ghee Primary | 56% | 61% | 59% | 0 | |
| Park View Primary | 64% | 54% | 58% | 0 | |
| North View Primary | 49% | 57% | 54% | 0 | |
| Pei Tong Primary | 48% | 57% | 54% | 0 | |
| Ahmad Ibrahim Primary | 42% | 58% | 53% | 0 | |
| Jing Shan Primary | 36% | 61% | 52% | 0 | |
| Queenstown Primary | 44% | 56% | 52% | 0 | |
| Greendale Primary | 52% | 52% | 0 | ||
| New Town Primary | 51% | 52% | 51% | 0 | |
| Fuhua Primary | 35% | 59% | 51% | 0 | |
| Lakeside Primary | 60% | 44% | 49% | 0 | |
| Yishun Primary | 77% | 35% | 49% | 0 | |
| Wellington Primary | 49% | 49% | 0 | ||
| Lianhua Primary | 45% | 49% | 47% | 0 | |
| Bedok Green Primary | 48% | 47% | 47% | 0 | |
| Xishan Primary | 42% | 49% | 46% | 0 | |
| North Vista Primary | 46% | 46% | 0 | ||
| Huamin Primary | 36% | 51% | 46% | 0 | |
| Mayflower Primary | 43% | 47% | 46% | 0 | |
| Yumin Primary | 53% | 41% | 45% | 0 | |
| West View Primary | 32% | 51% | 45% | 0 | |
| Bukit View Primary | 53% | 39% | 44% | 0 | |
| Canossa Convent Primary | 46% | 42% | 44% | 0 | |
| Dazhong Primary | 15% | 58% | 44% | 0 | |
| Seng Kang Primary | 43% | 43% | 0 | ||
| Eunos Primary | 39% | 44% | 43% | 0 | |
| Xinghua Primary | 25% | 50% | 41% | 0 | |
| Qifa Primary | 40% | 41% | 41% | 0 | |
| Pioneer Primary | 61% | 29% | 40% | 0 | |
| Montfort Junior | 43% | 37% | 39% | 0 | |
| Peiying Primary | 39% | 37% | 38% | 0 | |
| Da Qiao Primary | 40% | 37% | 38% | 0 | |
| Anchor Green Primary | 36% | 36% | 0 | ||
| Qihua Primary | 40% | 32% | 34% | 0 | |
| Yuhua Primary | 25% | 38% | 34% | 0 | |
| East View Primary | 24% | 38% | 33% | 0 | |
| Tampines Primary | 27% | 37% | 33% | 0 | |
| Fernvale Primary | 32% | 32% | 0 | ||
| Damai Primary | 26% | 35% | 32% | 0 | |
| Marsiling Primary | 25% | 32% | 30% | 0 | |
| North Spring Primary | 29% | 29% | 0 | ||
| Naval Base Primary | 26% | 31% | 29% | 0 | |
| Junyuan Primary | 31% | 28% | 29% | 0 | |
| Boon Lay Garden Primary | 29% | 29% | 29% | 0 | |
| Coral Primary | 24% | 31% | 29% | 0 | |
| Bukit Timah Primary | 23% | 31% | 28% | 0 | |
| Si Ling Primary | 21% | 31% | 28% | 0 | |
| Corporation Primary | 26% | 28% | 27% | 0 | |
| MacPherson Primary | 21% | 30% | 27% | 0 | |
| Kranji Primary | 14% | 31% | 25% | 0 | |
| Zhonghua Primary | 19% | 28% | 25% | 0 | |
| Stamford Primary | 25% | 25% | 0 | ||
| Yio Chu Kang Primary | 17% | 23% | 21% | 0 | |
| East Coast Primary | 21% | 19% | 20% | 0 | |
| Opera Estate Primary | 20% | 18% | 19% | 0 | |
| Loyang Primary | 16% | 19% | 18% | 0 | |
| Teck Whye Primary | 20% | 17% | 18% | 0 | |
| Farrer Park Primary | 18% | 18% | 0 | ||
| Hong Kah Primary | 13% | 19% | 17% | 0 | |
| Griffiths Primary | 13% | 19% | 17% | 0 | |
| Juying Primary | 14% | 17% | 16% | 0 | |
| First Toa Payoh Primary | 20% | 13% | 16% | 0 | |
| Balestier Hill Primary | 14% | 14% | 0 | ||
| Qiaonan Primary | 6% | 14% | 11% | 0 | |
| Guangyang Primary | 9% | 12% | 11% | 0 | |
| Blangah Rise Primary | 7% | 7% | 0 | ||
| Bedok West Primary | 2% | 6% | 4% | 0 |
What is Ballot Count?
What does the Ballot Count numbers mean? How to interpret?
In the primary school ranking, 186% (2008) for RGPS means there are 86% more applicants staying >2km, and therefore required balloting for this particular phase? This means that applicants staying within 1 and 2km are admitted? So easy to get into RGPS?
What is Ballot Count?
A school can encounter balloting situations whenever the number of qualifying applicants/registrants exceed the number of places allotted for a specific phase during the annual Primary One Registration exercise. The Ballot Count used in the context of this article refers to the total number of times a school had balloting situations over the last 3 years, weighted against the distance that it occurs. So it is 3 points for balloting under 1km, 2 points for balloting between 1-2km, and 1 point for balloting over 2km. For situations where there was cut-off without balloting, ie. if there were exactly 10 places for the 10 children staying within 1km and none of those that stayed outside of 1km even get a chance to ballot, we add 0.5 points more weight to that incident.
Green 186% in Phase 2C means that the total number of applicants at all distances exceed the total number of vacancies for Phase 2C by 86%. All those staying within 2km are considered registered without balloting. Assuming that this group represents x% of the total number of vacancies, the probability of winning a ballot is (100 - x) / (186 - x). So if 99% of the places are taken up by kids staying within 2km, the probability of winning a place if you stay outside of 2km is 1/87 ! So while it is true that you have at best a 100/186= 53% chance of winning the ballot assuming ALL applicants are outside of 2km, at worse, you may only have a 1% chance of getting into that school. You need to ask the school during the last day of balloting how many parents staying less than 1km and 2km have applied to get a feel of what you are really up against.
That is why people want to stay near the popular schools.
Only in situations where balloting is required for under 1km (marked in RED) can the take-up rate be used to represent the real probability of parents winning a ballot, since ALL parents in that group will have to stand for balloting.
Thanks for great advice!
I'm quite clueless about the whole primary school admission system, and really appreciate your detailed explanation which helps my understanding.
We are planning to buy a place during this economic downturn and considering whether we should move closer (within 1km) to MGS, Henry Park, RGPS or Nanyang around Bukit Timah area.
Based on your data, RGPS seems to be my safest bet? So scared that if I commit to a property near MGS or Nanyang, and then didn't get ballot! If really like that, then how? Can only settle for Bukit Timah Primary?
Bukit Timah schools
You're welcome. From the Bukit Timah balloting history in the last 3 years, children staying within 2km of RGPS have all been successful in getting a place in RGPS. Nanyang is the one that is the most difficult to get in for that region - balloting is required even for those staying within 1km. Also, given its outstanding performance in the recent years for PSLE, I'm sure NYPS will be hotly contested this year.
If you have only girls, it may make sense to try to get a place under 2km of RGPS. If you have both girl/s and boy/s, you can try your luck for Nanyang or Pei Hwa or Henry Park which are co-ed, failing which Bukit Timah Primary is always a good fallback option.
Hi ChiefKiasu, I went to
Hi ChiefKiasu,
I went to SLA and check the distance for the schools which falls within 1km....results : Only two schools -Pei Hwa & MGS.
According to u...seems like even if is within 1km i still need balloting ya....so was wondering you know about Pei Hwa's PV....or any body can help ot give some advise ....if i need to start PV ...how many years ahead????Am i late or a good time...got a 2005 boy!
Choosing between Paya Lebar Methodist Girls & CHIJ (OLGC)
Hi
My daughter is in K2 and for P1 admission soon. I stay at Serangoon Central. Initially I was keen to admit her to Paya Lebar MGS. However I realised that we in the 1-2 km and fall into phase 2c which is balloting.
Also the school has afternoon session for Primary 1 and I am not happy about that. Am considering putting her in CHIJ Our Lady of Good Counsel or CHIJ (Nativity). As we come from the same religious denomination, it would be easier for my daughter to get in with ease.
My questions are:
1. Can I have your comments about how to chose which CHIJ is more popular and academically which school has done better
2. Would you outrightly recommend PLMGS instead of CHIJ?
I am confused. Pls advise
Chossing Yang Zheng or CHIJ OLN
My doubt almost same as Majella, I stay at Serangoon Central & my gal 6 yrs old too, I am doubt whether to register her to CHIJ OLN (under phase 2A1) or Yang Zheng (under phase 2C), for myself I more preferred Yangzheng Pri Sch but my husband always quarrel with me over this matter is he insist to send our gal to CHIJ OLN as this is girls school. I really confused and the date for register P1 coming soon, hope any friends can give me advise please.
Thank you a lot and deeply appreciated.
How to tell whether any Ph 2B balloting?
Take RGPS as an example. Both 2008 and 2007 shows that Ph 2C balloting only for >2km (so those staying <2km automatically get in). But since the places are split 50:50 between Ph 2B and Ph 2C, just by looking at the table, there is no way I can tell whether there is any balloting at Ph 2B, right?
You are looking at the wrong table...
... if you are trying to determine balloting in Phase 2B. Look at this page instead if you want the balloting history of RGPS.
2009 Statistics for Pri One Admission Popularity Ranking?
Will there be 2009 Statistics for Pri One Admission Popularity Ranking?