School MattersAnderson Secondary School vs Xinmin Secondary School
Compare recorded PSLE entry ranges, CCAs, DSA programmes and location, with intake years shown alongside the data.
At a glance
| Compare | Anderson Secondary School | Xinmin Secondary School |
|---|---|---|
| School type | Co-Ed School | Co-Ed School |
| Level | Secondary (S1-S4) | Secondary (S1-S4) |
| School tags | Autonomous | Autonomous |
| Zone | North | North |
| Address | 10 Ang Mo Kio Street 53 | 11 Hougang Avenue 8 |
| Nearest MRT | Ang Mo Kio, Yio Chu Kang | Hougang |
| Listed CCAs | 20 | 19 |
| DSA listings | 8 | 14 |
Differences to explore
- CCA
- The records share 7 CCA listings. Anderson Secondary School also lists Basketball (Girls and Boys), Biological Science (Girls and Boys), Environmental Science (Girls and Boys), Football (Boys) and more, which do not appear in the other school's records. Xinmin Secondary School also lists Badminton (Girls), Boys' Brigade (Boys), Cross Country (Girls and Boys), Debating and Public Speaking (Girls and 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 2 DSA programme listings. Anderson Secondary School also lists Basketball (Boys), Malay Language (Girls and Boys), Netball (Girls), Table Tennis (Girls) and more, which do not appear in the other school's records. Xinmin Secondary School also lists Badminton (Girls), Boys' Brigade (Boys), Choir (Girls and Boys), Cross Country (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 Anderson Secondary School: Ang Mo Kio, Yio Chu Kang; for Xinmin Secondary School: Hougang. Compare the full journey from home, including transfers and the walk to school.
Recorded entry ranges
| Compare | Anderson Secondary School | Xinmin Secondary School |
|---|---|---|
| PG3 · Non-affiliated | 2026 · 7–11 | 2026 · 8–13 |
| PG2 · Non-affiliated | 2026 · 21–23 | 2026 · 21–23 |
| 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.
Get to know each school
Anderson Secondary School
MOE’s heritage account traces Anderson to a primary school founded in 1960, a secondary girls’ school in 1964 and a co-educational school in 1965. It moved to Ang Mo Kio Street 53 in 1993 and became one of the first six autonomous schools in 1994. Its science-research niche was established in 2000, followed by recognition as a Cluster Centre of Excellence for Science in 2005. This is Anderson Secondary’s institutional history, separate from the present Anderson Primary formed by a later merger.
The Science department distinguishes its Science Research Programme from a Science Talent Programme. The latter lists Olympiad preparation and external competitions such as the C.B. Paul Science Quiz and National STEM Challenge. The department’s emphasis is on investigation and communicating ideas, but an activity or historical award does not establish how many pupils participate. A child keen on laboratory work should ask how research groups are formed, what mentoring they receive and whether enrichment involves additional time beyond ordinary Science lessons.
Xinmin Secondary School
Xinmin began as Sin Min School on 1 November 1945, initially teaching primary pupils. Its founders rented three bungalows after Yap Fun Hong sold five pigs to help fund education for the Hougang-Serangoon community. Secondary classes began in 1956, and performances helped raise money for facilities in 1958. MOE’s heritage record dates autonomous status to 2001 and the Creative Arts Complex to 2015. Its 80th anniversary was in 2025. These are historical milestones; earlier examination bands or rankings do not establish a current teaching-quality ranking.
MAKERS@Xinmin combines digital and analogue making across a specially designed two-year lower-secondary curriculum. All pupils in those years learn about AI applications and ethics, and design and prototype solutions to real problems. Examples include sustainability models using AI, eco-themed games and environmental-data analysis, with workshops, pop-up sessions and showcases. This is broader than a coding club for selected enthusiasts. Ask what the child will build, how teachers supervise tool use and how a pupil with little coding experience is helped to contribute within a group.
CCAs and programmes
Anderson Secondary School
- Art and Crafts (Girls and Boys)
- Basketball (Girls and Boys)
- Biological Science (Girls and Boys)
- Chinese Dance (Girls)
- Choir (Girls and Boys)
- Concert Band (Girls and Boys)
- English Drama (Girls and Boys)
- Environmental Science (Girls and Boys)
- Football (Boys)
- Girl Guides (Girls)
- Infocomm Technology (Media Production) (Girls and Boys)
- Malay Dance (Girls and Boys)
- National Cadet Corps (NCC) (Land) (Boys)
- National Police Cadet Corps (NPCC) (Girls and Boys)
- Netball (Girls)
- Robotics (Girls and Boys)
- Student Leadership (Council) (Girls and Boys)
- Table Tennis (Girls)
- Volleyball (Girls)
- Wushu (Girls and Boys)
Xinmin Secondary School
- Art and Crafts (Girls and Boys)
- Badminton (Girls)
- Boys' Brigade (Boys)
- Chinese Dance (Girls)
- Choir (Girls and Boys)
- Concert Band (Girls and Boys)
- Cross Country (Girls and Boys)
- Debating and Public Speaking (Girls and Boys)
- English Drama (Girls and Boys)
- Floorball (Boys)
- Girls' Brigade (Girls)
- Guzheng Ensemble (Girls and Boys)
- Infocomm Technology (Media Production) (Girls and Boys)
- National Cadet Corps (NCC) (Land) (Boys)
- Rockwall Climbing (Girls and Boys)
- Shooting (Girls and Boys)
- St John Brigade (Girls and Boys)
- Students' Council (Girls and Boys)
- Volleyball (Girls and Boys)
Listed DSA programmes at Anderson Secondary School
- Basketball (Boys)
- Chinese Dance (Girls)
- Concert Band (Girls and Boys)
- Malay Language (Girls and Boys)
- Netball (Girls)
- Table Tennis (Girls)
- Volleyball (Girls)
- Wushu (Girls and Boys)
Listed DSA programmes at Xinmin Secondary School
- Badminton (Girls)
- Boys' Brigade (Boys)
- Chinese Dance (Girls)
- Choir (Girls and Boys)
- Concert Band (Girls and Boys)
- Cross Country (Girls and Boys)
- English Drama (Girls and Boys)
- Floorball (Boys)
- Girls' Brigade (Girls)
- Guzheng Ensemble (Girls and Boys)
- Rockwall Climbing (Girls and Boys)
- Shooting (Girls and Boys)
- St John Brigade (Girls and Boys)
- Volleyball (Girls and Boys)
Questions about these schools
How should I choose between Anderson Secondary School and Xinmin 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: Anderson Secondary School 2026 · 7–11; Xinmin Secondary School 2026 · 8–13. PG2 · Non-affiliated: Anderson Secondary School 2026 · 21–23; Xinmin Secondary School 2026 · 21–23. PG1 · Non-affiliated: Anderson Secondary School 2026 · 25–28; Xinmin 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.