School MattersAhmad Ibrahim Secondary School vs CHIJ Secondary (Toa Payoh)
Compare recorded PSLE entry ranges, CCAs, DSA programmes and location, with intake years shown alongside the data.
At a glance
| Compare | Ahmad Ibrahim Secondary School | CHIJ Secondary (Toa Payoh) |
|---|---|---|
| School type | Co-Ed School | Girls' School |
| Level | Secondary (S1-S4) | Secondary (S1-S4) |
| School tags | Not listed | Autonomous |
| Zone | North | South |
| Address | 751 Yishun Avenue 7 | 626 Lorong 1 Toa Payoh |
| Nearest MRT | Canberra, Yishun | Toa Payoh |
| Listed CCAs | 16 | 21 |
| DSA listings | 6 | 10 |
Differences to explore
- CCA
- The records share 1 CCA listing. Ahmad Ibrahim Secondary School also lists Basketball (Girls and Boys), Chinese Orchestra (Girls and Boys), Choir (Girls and Boys), Concert Band (Girls and Boys) and more, which do not appear in the other school's records. CHIJ Secondary (Toa Payoh) also lists Art and Crafts (Girls), Badminton (Girls), Basketball (Girls), Bowling (Girls) and more, which do not appear in the other school's records. Listings may be incomplete; confirm availability with each school.
- DSA programme
- The records share 1 DSA programme listing. Ahmad Ibrahim Secondary School also lists Community Youth Leadership (Girls and Boys), Critical Social Inquiry and Media Literacy (Girls and Boys), Music (Girls and Boys), Shooting (Girls and Boys) and more, which do not appear in the other school's records. CHIJ Secondary (Toa Payoh) also lists Badminton (Girls), Bowling (Girls), Choir (Girls), Concert Band (Girls) and more, which do not appear in the other school's records. Listings may be incomplete; confirm availability with each school.
- The daily journey
- Nearby MRT stations listed for Ahmad Ibrahim Secondary School: Canberra, Yishun; for CHIJ Secondary (Toa Payoh): Toa Payoh. Compare the full journey from home, including transfers and the walk to school.
Recorded entry ranges
| Compare | Ahmad Ibrahim Secondary School | CHIJ Secondary (Toa Payoh) |
|---|---|---|
| PG3 · Non-affiliated | 2026 · 11–18 | 2026 · 6–10 |
| PG3 · Affiliated | Not listed | 2026 · 8–20 |
| PG2 · Non-affiliated | 2026 · 21–24 | 2026 · 21–22 |
| PG2 · Affiliated | Not listed | 2026 · 21–25 |
| PG1 · Non-affiliated | 2026 · 25–28 | 2026 · 25–28 |
| PG1 · Affiliated | Not listed | 2026 · 26–29 |
Each range belongs to the intake year and programme shown. Affiliated and non-affiliated ranges are separate. D, M and P are Higher Mother Tongue requirements. Past ranges do not guarantee admission.
Get to know each school
Ahmad Ibrahim Secondary School
Ahmad Ibrahim Secondary began in 1963 in Upper Thomson and moved to Yishun in 1985. Named after Singapore’s former Health and Labour Minister, it originally brought English- and Chinese-stream students together. Its history also records a distinctive responsibility: in 1967 it became the first pilot school for the Open Education Programme for blind students, integrating them into mainstream classes. This is a useful part of its identity, beyond an admission score or a list of awards.
The school says students with visual impairment continue to participate in school life alongside sighted peers. An August 2026 Straits Times profile features its resource teacher Penny Chong. For a family needing this provision, the next conversation should be specific: how lesson materials are adapted, who coordinates support, and how the child participates in practical lessons and CCAs. The school’s long involvement is relevant evidence of experience; an individual support arrangement still needs to be discussed with staff.
CHIJ Secondary (Toa Payoh)
CHIJ’s Victoria Street convent school began in 1854; its history records separate primary and secondary administration from 1964. The move out of Victoria Street took place in December 1983, with Toa Payoh classes beginning in 1984. The secondary school became autonomous in 1994. From 1 January 2027 it will be named Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus (Secondary), according to the May2026 announcement. Parents comparing the two Toa Payoh schools should keep their admissions and programmes separate.
The English page describes food reviews, letters about current issues and lower-secondary heritage walks used for descriptive writing. Literature tasks include filming scenes or writing from a character’s perspective. Secondary 3 has a level-wide interclass debate after examinations. IJ FLAIR brings language, art and music together for a week, including storytelling, choral reading and mini TED-style talks. CAP@IJ is a separate creative-writing programme: students are selected for demonstrated interest and potential, with workshops and competition opportunities.
CCAs and programmes
Ahmad Ibrahim Secondary School
- Basketball (Girls and Boys)
- Chinese Orchestra (Girls and Boys)
- Choir (Girls and Boys)
- Concert Band (Girls and Boys)
- English Drama (Girls and Boys)
- Environmental Science (Girls and Boys)
- Football (Girls and Boys)
- Girl Guides (Girls)
- Modern Dance (Girls and Boys)
- National Cadet Corps (NCC) (Land) (Boys)
- National Police Cadet Corps (NPCC) (Girls and Boys)
- Robotics (Girls and Boys)
- Scouts (Boys)
- Shooting (Girls and Boys)
- St John Brigade (Girls and Boys)
- Track and Field (Girls and Boys)
CHIJ Secondary (Toa Payoh)
- Art and Crafts (Girls)
- Badminton (Girls)
- Basketball (Girls)
- Bowling (Girls)
- Chinese Culture and Language (Girls)
- Choir (Girls)
- Community Service (Girls)
- Concert Band (Girls)
- Debating and Public Speaking (Girls)
- English Drama (Girls)
- Girl Guides (Girls)
- Guitar Ensemble (Girls)
- Infocomm Technology (Media Production) (Girls)
- Modern Dance (Girls)
- National Cadet Corps (NCC) (Sea) (Girls)
- Netball (Girls)
- Red Cross Youth (Girls)
- Rhythmic Gymnastics (Girls)
- Robotics (Girls)
- Tennis (Girls)
- Track and Field (Girls)
Listed DSA programmes at Ahmad Ibrahim Secondary School
- Basketball (Girls)
- Community Youth Leadership (Girls and Boys)
- Critical Social Inquiry and Media Literacy (Girls and Boys)
- Music (Girls and Boys)
- Shooting (Girls and Boys)
- Track and Field (Girls and Boys)
Listed DSA programmes at CHIJ Secondary (Toa Payoh)
- Badminton (Girls)
- Basketball (Girls)
- Bowling (Girls)
- Choir (Girls)
- Concert Band (Girls)
- Debating (Girls)
- Netball (Girls)
- Rhythmic Gymnastics (Girls)
- Tennis (Girls)
- Track and Field (Girls)
Questions about these schools
How should I choose between Ahmad Ibrahim Secondary School and CHIJ Secondary (Toa Payoh)?
Start with programmes, the CCAs your child wants and the actual journey from home. Visit both schools to assess the daily environment. Counts and past results alone do not establish which school fits your child.
How do their recorded PSLE entry ranges compare?
PG3 · Non-affiliated: Ahmad Ibrahim Secondary School 2026 · 11–18; CHIJ Secondary (Toa Payoh) 2026 · 6–10. PG3 · Affiliated: Ahmad Ibrahim Secondary School Not listed; CHIJ Secondary (Toa Payoh) 2026 · 8–20. PG2 · Non-affiliated: Ahmad Ibrahim Secondary School 2026 · 21–24; CHIJ Secondary (Toa Payoh) 2026 · 21–22. PG2 · Affiliated: Ahmad Ibrahim Secondary School Not listed; CHIJ Secondary (Toa Payoh) 2026 · 21–25. PG1 · Non-affiliated: Ahmad Ibrahim Secondary School 2026 · 25–28; CHIJ Secondary (Toa Payoh) 2026 · 25–28. PG1 · Affiliated: Ahmad Ibrahim Secondary School Not listed; CHIJ Secondary (Toa Payoh) 2026 · 26–29.
Do past admission records guarantee a place?
No. Ranges belong to the intake year and programme shown and can change. Keep affiliated and non-affiliated ranges separate and retain any D, M or P Higher Mother Tongue suffix.