School MattersAhmad Ibrahim Secondary School vs North Vista Secondary School
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 | North Vista Secondary School |
|---|---|---|
| School type | Co-Ed School | Co-Ed School |
| Level | Secondary (S1-S4) | Secondary (S1-S4) |
| School tags | Not listed | Not listed |
| Zone | North | North |
| Address | 751 Yishun Avenue 7 | 11 Rivervale Link |
| Nearest MRT | Canberra, Yishun | Sengkang, Buangkok, Ranggung |
| Listed CCAs | 16 | 18 |
| DSA listings | 6 | 10 |
Differences to explore
- CCA
- The records share 9 CCA listings. Ahmad Ibrahim Secondary School also lists Chinese Orchestra (Girls and Boys), Choir (Girls and Boys), Environmental Science (Girls and Boys), Football (Girls and Boys) and more, which do not appear in the other school's records. North Vista Secondary School also lists Chinese Dance (Girls), Choir (Girls), Community Service (Girls and Boys), Football (Boys) 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 Basketball (Girls), Community Youth Leadership (Girls and Boys), Critical Social Inquiry and Media Literacy (Girls and Boys), Music (Girls and Boys) and more, which do not appear in the other school's records. North Vista Secondary School also lists Basketball (Girls and Boys), Chinese Dance (Girls), Choir (Girls), Concert Band (Girls and Boys) 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 North Vista Secondary School: Sengkang, Buangkok, Ranggung. Compare the full journey from home, including transfers and the walk to school.
Recorded entry ranges
| Compare | Ahmad Ibrahim Secondary School | North Vista Secondary School |
|---|---|---|
| PG3 · Non-affiliated | 2026 · 11–18 | 2026 · 11–18 |
| PG2 · Non-affiliated | 2026 · 21–24 | 2026 · 21–24 |
| PG1 · Non-affiliated | 2026 · 25–28 | 2026 · 25–28 |
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.
How to choose between them
Both schools share the same COP range and North zone location, so the real differentiator is fit. North Vista brings deeper CCA breadth and stronger DSA pathways, while Ahmad Ibrahim carries meaningful historical significance as Singapore's first president's namesake school.
Consider Ahmad Ibrahim Secondary School if…
- Historic namesake school with proud 60-year community identity
- Smaller CCA slate suits focused, less activity-overloaded students
Consider North Vista Secondary School if…
- 28 CCAs and 10 DSA areas offer far more talent development options
- 4 SYF Distinctions signal a genuinely strong performing arts culture
Same COP, same zone — let your child's strengths and passions make the call.
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.
North Vista Secondary School
The school began in 1956 as Gan Eng Seng Government Chinese Middle School, was renamed Thomson Government Chinese Middle School in 1958, and later merged with Thomson Vocational School to become Thomson Secondary. It moved to Sengkang on 15 December 2000 and adopted North Vista Secondary as its English name, retaining 德新中学 in Chinese. The current campus officially opened on 8 July 2003. Old Thomson accounts therefore belong to the school’s history, but may describe a different campus and structure from today’s secondary provision.
The ALP names Cities and Urban Landscapes as its 2026 context. All Secondary 1 pupils take high-tech-farming workshops and hands-on hydroponics to grow edibles. Further experiences with outside organisations depend on interest. BioBloom is a separate tier for selected Infocomm Club members: they work on food-waste conditions for worms and harvest compost for the school’s edible gardens. The page’s Secondary 3 examples include moisture sensors and probes. That club project is more specialised than the common Secondary 1 experience, and should not be assigned to the entire cohort.
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)
North Vista Secondary School
- Basketball (Girls and Boys)
- Chinese Dance (Girls)
- Choir (Girls)
- Community Service (Girls and Boys)
- Concert Band (Girls and Boys)
- English Drama (Girls and Boys)
- Football (Boys)
- Girl Guides (Girls)
- Golf (Girls and Boys)
- Infocomm Technology (Media Production) (Girls and Boys)
- Modern Dance (Girls and Boys)
- National Cadet Corps (NCC) (Land) (Boys)
- National Police Cadet Corps (NPCC) (Girls and Boys)
- Netball (Girls)
- Outdoor Adventure (Girls and Boys)
- St John Brigade (Girls and Boys)
- String Ensemble (Girls and Boys)
- Track and Field (Girls and Boys)
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 North Vista Secondary School
- Basketball (Girls and Boys)
- Chinese Dance (Girls)
- Choir (Girls)
- Concert Band (Girls and Boys)
- Football (Boys)
- Golf (Girls and Boys)
- Modern Dance (Girls and Boys)
- Netball (Girls)
- String Ensemble (Girls and Boys)
- Track and Field (Girls and Boys)
Questions about these schools
How should I choose between Ahmad Ibrahim Secondary School and North Vista Secondary School?
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; North Vista Secondary School 2026 · 11–18. PG2 · Non-affiliated: Ahmad Ibrahim Secondary School 2026 · 21–24; North Vista Secondary School 2026 · 21–24. PG1 · Non-affiliated: Ahmad Ibrahim Secondary School 2026 · 25–28; North Vista Secondary School 2026 · 25–28.
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.