Top Secondary School Ranking in Singapore [2020]

Secondary School Ranking based on PSLE 2019 scores

Here is the latest secondary school rankings. You can refer to the legends after the table.

	Secondary Schools	Exp	NA	NT	IP/SAP/MEP/AEP	Type	Affiliated Schools COP	Status
1	Nanyang Girls’ High School	261	–	–	IP, SAP, AEP	Girls	NY PRI: 250	Independent
2	Raffles Girls’ School (Secondary)	261	–	–	IP, MEP	Girls		Independent
3	Raffles Institution	259	–	–	IP, MEP, LEP (ENG)	Boys		Independent
4	Hwa Chong Institution	257	–	–	IP, SAP, AEP, LEP (CHI), IB	Boys		Independent
5	Dunman High School	255	–	–	IP, SAP, MEP, LEP (CHI)	Co-ed		Auto
6	National Junior College	254	–	–	IP, AEP	Co-ed
7	CHIJ St. Nicholas Girls’ School	253	–	–	IP: 257, SAP, MEP	Girls	CHIJ SN: 230	Govt-Aided, Auto
8	Methodist Girls’ School (Secondary)	253	–	–	IP: 257, MEP, IB	Girls	MGS PRI: 220 (‘O’ LEVEL)	Independent
9	River Valley High School	253	–	–	IP, SAP	Co-ed		Auto
10	Anglo-Chinese School (Independent)	252	–	–	IP: 256, MEP, IB	Boys	ACS PRI/ACS JUNIOR: 235	Independent
11	Singapore Chinese Girls’ School	252	–	–	IP:252	Girls	SCG PRI: 220	Independent
12	Temasek Junior College	250	–	–	IP, MEP, LEP (CHI)	Co-ed
13	Catholic High School	249	–	–	IP: 252, SAP, MEP	Boys	CHS: 240	Govt-Aided, Auto
14	Cedar Girls’ Secondary School	249	–	–	IP: 253	Girls		Auto
15	Victoria School	248	–	–	IP: 252, AEP	Boys		Auto
16	St. Andrew’S Secondary School	247	193	142	–	Boys	SA JUNIOR: 193	Govt-Aided
17	Anglo-Chinese School (Barker Road)	246	188	129	–	Boys	ACS PRI: 198	Govt-Aided
18	CHIJ Secondary (Toa Payoh)	246	187	105	AEP	Girls	CHIJ PRI (TOA PAYOH): 200	Govt-Aided, Auto
19	Nan Hua High School	246	–	–	SAP	Co-ed		Auto
20	St. Joseph’S Institution	246	–	–	IP: 251	Boys	DLS/SJIJ/ST.S/ST.A: 238	Independent
21	Anderson Secondary School	245	188	140	–	Co-ed		Auto
22	Bukit Panjang Govt. High School	244	187	145	AEP	Co-ed		Auto
23	Chung Cheng High School (Main)	244	269	248	SAP	Co-ed		Govt-Aided, Auto
24	Nan Chiau High School	244	–	–	SAP	Co-ed		Govt-Aided
25	Crescent Girls’ School	243	–	–	MEP	Girls		Auto
26	Fairfield Methodist School (Secondary)	243	187	97	–	Co-ed	FFMS PRI: 200	Govt-Aided, Auto
27	St. Margaret’s Secondary School	243	171	126	–	Girls	SM PRI: 200	Govt-Aided, Auto
28	Swiss Cottage Secondary School	242	187	148	–	Co-ed
29	Anglican High School	241	–	–	SAP	Co-ed		Govt-Aided, Auto
30	Chung Cheng High School (Yishun)	241	185	142	–	Co-ed		Govt-Aided
31	Commonwealth Secondary School	239	180	114	–	Co-ed		Auto
32	Maris Stella High School	239	–	–	SAP	Boys	MSHS: 226	Govt-Aided, Auto
33	Yishun Town Secondary School	239	186	148	–	Co-ed
34	CHIJ St. Theresa’S Convent	238	184	110	–	Girls	CHIJ KELLOCK/PEACE: 200	Govt-Aided
35	Kuo Chuan Presbyterian Secondary School	238	171	–	–	Co-ed	KCP PRI: 200	Govt-Aided
36	Ngee Ann Secondary School	238	189	146	–	Co-ed	NGEE ANN PRI: 225	Govt-Aided, Auto
37	CHIJ St. Joseph’S Convent	237	187	139	–	Girls	CHIJ NATIVITY/GOOD COUNSEL: 200	Govt-Aided
38	Paya Lebar Methodist Girls’ School (Secondary)	237	173	121	–	Girls	PLMG PRI: 205	Govt-Aided, Auto
39	Tanjong Katong Girls’ School	237	–	–	MEP	Girls		Auto
40	Fuhua Secondary School	236	176	105	–	Co-ed
41	Presbyterian High School	236	180	133	–	Co-ed		Govt-Aided
42	Zhonghua Secondary School	236	181	134	AEP	Co-ed		Auto
43	Clementi Town Secondary School	235	178	120	–	Co-ed
44	Riverside Secondary School	235	183	144	–	Co-ed
45	Temasek Secondary School	235	187	145	–	Co-ed		Auto
46	Kranji Secondary School	234	180	126	–	Co-ed
47	Tanjong Katong Secondary School	234	–	–	–	Co-ed		Auto
48	Xinmin Secondary School	234	182	137	–	Co-ed		Auto
49	St. Patrick’S School	233	184	143	–	Boys	DLS/SJIJ/ST.S/ST.A: 201	Govt-Aided
50	Dunman Secondary School	232	183	140	–	Co-ed		Auto
51	Holy Innocents’ High School	232	181	131	–	Co-ed	HI PRI: 188	Govt-Aided
52	Geylang Methodist School (Secondary)	231	181	143	–	Co-ed	GMS PRI: 197	Govt-Aided, Auto
53	Edgefield Secondary School	230	186	148	–	Co-ed
54	St. Anthony’s Canossian Secondary School	230	152	95	–	Girls	SAC PRI: 193	Govt-Aided, Auto
55	Ang Mo Kio Secondary School	229	170	130	–	Co-ed
56	Bukit Batok Secondary School	229	177	135	–	Co-ed
57	CHIJ Katong Convent	229	158	111	–	Girls	CHIJ (KATONG) PRI: 203	Govt-Aided, Auto
58	Evergreen Secondary School	229	179	138	–	Co-ed
59	Jurong Secondary School	228	177	133	–	Co-ed
60	St. Hilda’S Secondary School	228	178	127	–	Co-ed	SH PRI: 188	Govt-Aided
61	Gan Eng Seng School	227	179	141	–	Co-ed
62	Hua Yi Secondary School	227	182	144	–	Co-ed
63	Bowen Secondary School	226	175	139	–	Co-ed
64	Pei Hwa Secondary School	226	186	146	–	Co-ed
65	Hai Sing Catholic School	225	172	119	–	Co-ed		Govt-Aided
66	St. Gabriel’s Secondary School	225	172	121	–	Boys	SG PRI: 188	Govt-Aided
67	West Spring Secondary School	225	175	135	–	Co-ed
68	Ahmad Ibrahim Secondary School	224	177	131	–	Co-ed
69	Mayflower Secondary School	224	174	105	–	Co-ed
70	Deyi Secondary School	222	166	127	–	Co-ed
71	Queensway Secondary School	222	168	131	–	Co-ed
72	Pasir Ris Crest Secondary School	220	172	128	–	Co-ed
73	Pasir Ris Secondary School	220	170	123	–	Co-ed
74	Unity Secondary School	219	169	104	–	Co-ed
75	Bedok View Secondary School	218	164	–	–	Co-ed
76	North Vista Secondary School	218	170	139	–	Co-ed
77	Yuan Ching Secondary School	218	166	118	–	Co-ed
78	Beatty Secondary School	217	152	124	–	Co-ed
79	Kent Ridge Secondary School	217	167	108	–	Co-ed
80	Chua Chu Kang Secondary School	216	171	115	–	Co-ed
81	Compassvale Secondary School	215	176	139	–	Co-ed
82	Jurong West Secondary School	214	172	125	–	Co-ed
83	Orchid Park Secondary School	214	177	126	–	Co-ed
84	Peirce Secondary School	214	160	108	–	Co-ed
85	Bedok South Secondary School	213	159	96	–	Co-ed
86	Bukit View Secondary School	213	152	–	–	Co-ed
87	Greendale Secondary School	213	180	143	–	Co-ed
88	Meridian Secondary School	212	163	137	–	Co-ed
89	Woodlands Ring Secondary School	212	160	122	–	Co-ed
90	Hillgrove Secondary School	211	166	123	–	Co-ed
91	Tampines Secondary School	210	167	132	–	Co-ed
92	Zhenghua Secondary School	210	169	129	–	Co-ed
93	Seng Kang Secondary School	209	169	141	–	Co-ed
94	Christ Church Secondary School	207	170	122	–	Co-ed		Govt-Aided
95	Montfort Secondary School	207	164	127	–	Boys	MJS: 188	Govt-Aided
96	Yishun Secondary School	207	169	118	–	Co-ed		Auto
97	Hougang Secondary School	205	165	129	–	Co-ed
98	Naval Base Secondary School	205	168	130	–	Co-ed
99	Punggol Secondary School	205	171	140	–	Co-ed
100	New Town Secondary School	204	152	–	–	Co-ed
101	Woodgrove Secondary School	204	165	131	–	Co-ed
102	Admiralty Secondary School	203	168	132	–	Co-ed
103	Jurongville Secondary School	202	160	134	–	Co-ed
104	Bedok Green Secondary School	201	159	132	–	Co-ed
105	Regent Secondary School	200	158	–	–	Co-ed
106	Juying Secondary School	198	160	135	–	Co-ed
107	Manjusri Secondary School	197	152	97	–	Co-ed	MAHA BODHI SCH: 189	Govt-Aided
108	Serangoon Secondary School	194	164	130	–	Co-ed
109	Westwood Secondary School	194	153	122	–	Co-ed
110	Greenridge Secondary School	193	156	108	–	Co-ed
111	Guangyang Secondary School	192	152	105	–	Co-ed
112	Canberra Secondary School	191	165	108	–	Co-ed
113	Junyuan Secondary School	191	155	114	–	Co-ed
114	Queenstown Secondary School	191	152	120	–	Co-ed
115	Teck Whye Secondary School	189	154	110	–	Co-ed
116	Yio Chu Kang Secondary School	189	152	109	–	Co-ed
117	Assumption English School	188	152	105	–	Co-ed		Govt-Aided
118	Bartley Secondary School	188	155	100	–	Co-ed
119	Bendemeer Secondary School	188	152	136	–	Co-ed
120	Boon Lay Secondary School	188	152	106	–	Co-ed
121	Broadrick Secondary School	188	152	91	–	Co-ed
122	Bukit Merah Secondary School	188	152	117	–	Co-ed
123	Changkat Changi Secondary School	188	152	–	–	Co-ed
124	Damai Secondary School	188	152	112	–	Co-ed
125	Dunearn Secondary School	188	153	117	–	Co-ed
126	East Spring Secondary School	188	157	109	–	Co-ed
127	Fajar Secondary School	188	152	94	–	Co-ed
128	Fuchun Secondary School	188	152	108	–	Co-ed
129	Loyang View Secondary School	188	152	104	–	Co-ed
130	Marsiling Secondary School	188	152	104	–	Co-ed
131	Northbrooks Secondary School	188	158	129	–	Co-ed
132	Northland Secondary School	188	154	113	–	Co-ed
133	Outram Secondary School	188	152	97	–	Co-ed
134	Peicai Secondary School	188	152	99	–	Co-ed
135	Ping Yi Secondary School	188	152	101	–	Co-ed
136	Sembawang Secondary School	188	153	115	–	Co-ed
137	Serangoon Garden Secondary School	188	152	123	–	Co-ed
138	Springfield Secondary School	188	152	114	–	Co-ed
139	Tanglin Secondary School	188	152	107	–	Co-ed
140	Whitley Secondary School	188	152	101	–	Co-ed
141	Woodlands Secondary School	188	155	120	–	Co-ed
142	Yuhua Secondary School	188	153	116	–	Co-ed
143	Yuying Secondary School	188	152	123	–	Co-ed		Govt-Aided

*SAP = Special Assistance Plan, IP = Integrated Programme, AEP/MEP/LEP = Elective program*Exp = Express, NA = Normal Academics, NT = Normal Technical

What are the top secondary schools in Singapore?

Based on PSLE cut off point 2019, the top secondary schools in Singapore are both Nanyang Girls’ High School and Raffles Girls’ School (Sec), having the same cut off points (261).

Top ranking Boys secondary school: Raffles Institution (259)

Top ranking secondary school: Dunman High School (255)

What is an Autonomous school?

Image from Nanyang Girls High School

While the majority of secondary schools in Singapore are funded by the government, certain government schools are autonomous. These schools still teach the standard MOE’s syllabus but also offer a larger choice of programs to enhance students’ learning experience.

Autonomous schools have higher school fees, charging $18-$30 more monthly.

What is an Independent school?

Image from Raffles Institution

The independent schools in Singapore have a larger autonomy in its own management including curriculum, syllabus, textbooks, fee schemes, student admission, staff recruitment, and more.

Singapore’s centralized education system has been good at producing academically-oriented students, but it is lacking in creativity, critical thinking areas. These leading autonomous schools have lesser bureaucracy and the flexibility to design programs to help students reach their full capabilities.

The independent schools charge a much higher school fee than Government-aided schools. For instance, Raffles Girls’ School charges $340 monthly and $4,080 annually for the year 2020 and 2021 for Singapore citizens. The normal public secondary school fees range from only $5 to $25 monthly.

What is an Affiliated school?

Image from Dunman High

Some secondary schools have affiliation with certain primary schools and junior colleges. For example, the CHIJ Katong Convent has a prior connection with CHIJ Katong (primary).

Students who have met the minimum affiliated PSLE score in a primary school can enroll in its affiliated secondary school. In most cases, the minimum cut off point required is usually lower than non-affiliated PSLE scores. If demand by these eligible affiliated students is lower than 80%, all of these students will get a place in the school.

What is Government-aided school?

Government-aided schools receive funds largely from the Singapore government. They also obtain funds from fund-raising activities and donations from private sources.

These schools usually have some elements of autonomy on how they are operated, which brings a greater flexible system of education.

What is the Special Assistance Plan (SAP)?

Image from Hwa Chong Institution

In an SAP school, some subjects may be taught in Mother tongue language which is Mandarin currently. This program is suitable for students who perform well in both their mother language and English.

What is the Integrated Programme (IP)?

In the Secondary’s Express course, students under IP will go through its 6-years course length leading to GCE A-Level examination, International Baccalaureate Diploma, or NUS High School Diploma. As such, students do not need to sit for ‘O’ level exams in sec 4.

At Year 5 and 6 of the secondary course, students will take a combination of Languages, Humanities and Arts, and Mathematics and Sciences. They will then sit for the ‘A’ level exams, and enroll in the Universities.

It’s also worth noting that well-performing students on O Level track can apply to transfer to IP at Sec 3.

If you wish to find out more about IP, you can check out our article: Complete Guide to Integrated Programme.

What are the School-specific subjects?

Art Elective Programme (AEP)

The AEP specializes in providing an in-depth curriculum for artistically-inclined students with no additional school fee required.

Students will go through a 4-year program where they can learn and practice the theory of art, as well as access specialized art equipment, studios, and well-stocked art libraries. They will also have overseas study trips and interact with other AEP students from other schools.

For the GCE ‘O’ level exams, AEP students can use the Higher Art grade as Humanities subject for Junior Colleges’ admission.

To take the AEP course, students in AEP schools will apply for it upon admission to the school. They will also need to pass the AEP selection exercise. From Sec 1 to Sec 4, they will take Higher Art in place of Design & Technology and Food & Consumer Education at lower secondary.

Music Elective Programme (MEP)

The MEP is a 4-year program that enables students with music potential and talent to pursue a comprehensive study. Similar to AEP, there is no additional fee needed.

Students will hone their skills in music research, performance, listening, and more. There will be specialized facilities like practice studios, music software, scores, books, and other materials.

MEP students can offer Higher Music as an ‘O’ level exam subject in place of a Humanities subject for Junior Colleges’ admission.

The enrolment process for MEP is similar to AEP where students will apply for it and pass the admission test.

Language Elective Programme (Chinese, Malay and Tamil)

The Language Elective Programme (LEP) nurtures students to gain better language proficiency in their Mother Tongue Language and its literature. Students will be bilingual effectively throughout this program.

The LEP is eligible for students who scored at least ‘A2’ grade in their Mother Tongue subjects (Chinese, Malay, or Tamil) or ‘B3’ grade in Higher Mother Tongue subjects in their Secondary 2 exams. For LEP-sec, students will need to offer O Level Literature in mother tongue language.

What is an International Baccalaureate school (IB)?

Equivalent to ‘A’ level examinations, the IB diploma program is also a 2-year course that prepares students for university. While the ‘A’ level exam is a local curriculum, IB is an international curriculum that can be equally challenging and demanding in terms of the study load.

All local universities do consider all IB diploma applicants subjected to the courses’ minimum requirements, though admission is very competitive especially for non-citizens.