School MattersAnglo-Chinese School (Independent) vs Paya Lebar Methodist Girls' School (Secondary)
Compare recorded PSLE entry ranges, CCAs, DSA programmes and location, with intake years shown alongside the data.
At a glance
| Compare | Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) | Paya Lebar Methodist Girls' School (Secondary) |
|---|---|---|
| School type | Co-Ed School | Girls' School |
| Level | Secondary (S1-S4) | Secondary (S1-S4) |
| School tags | IP | Autonomous |
| Zone | South | East |
| Address | 121 Dover Road | 296 Lor Ah Soo |
| Nearest MRT | Dover, Buona Vista, One-North | Kovan, Serangoon |
| Listed CCAs | 50 | 21 |
| DSA listings | 48 | 10 |
Differences to explore
- CCA
- The records share 0 CCA listings. Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) also lists Art and Crafts (Boys), Audio Visual Aid (Boys), Badminton (Boys), Basketball (Boys) and more, which do not appear in the other school's records. Paya Lebar Methodist Girls' School (Secondary) also lists Badminton (Girls), Chinese Drama (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.
- DSA programme
- The records share 0 DSA programme listings. Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) also lists Badminton (Boys), Badminton (Boys) - IP, Basketball (Boys), Basketball (Boys) - IP and more, which do not appear in the other school's records. Paya Lebar Methodist Girls' School (Secondary) also lists Badminton (Girls), Concert Band (Girls), Guzheng Ensemble (Girls), Harp Ensemble (Girls) and more, which do not appear in the other school's records. Listings may be incomplete; confirm availability with each school.
- Programme tags
- Anglo-Chinese School (Independent): IP; Paya Lebar Methodist Girls' School (Secondary): no IP or SAP tag listed. Check the specific programme your child would enter.
- The daily journey
- Nearby MRT stations listed for Anglo-Chinese School (Independent): Dover, Buona Vista, One-North; for Paya Lebar Methodist Girls' School (Secondary): Kovan, Serangoon. Compare the full journey from home, including transfers and the walk to school.
Recorded entry ranges
| Compare | Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) | Paya Lebar Methodist Girls' School (Secondary) |
|---|---|---|
| IP · Non-affiliated | 2026 · 4–7 | Not listed |
| PG3 · Non-affiliated | 2026 · 6–8 | 2026 · 7–10 |
| PG3 · Affiliated | 2026 · 7–13 | 2026 · 7–20 |
| PG2 · Non-affiliated | Not listed | 2026 · 21–23 |
| PG2 · Affiliated | Not listed | 2026 · 21–25 |
| PG1 · Non-affiliated | Not listed | 2026 · 25–30 |
| PG1 · Affiliated | Not listed | 2026 · 26–27 |
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
Anglo-Chinese School (Independent)
The ACS family began in 1886, while ACS (Independent) became an independent school in January 1988 and moved from Barker Road to Dover Road in January 1992. MOE’s Heritage Centre records the introduction of its dual-track model in 2004 and IB World School accreditation in 2005. These milestones explain how the present routes developed. The school’s six-year history also includes pre-university education, so an account of Years 5 and 6 should not automatically be treated as a secondary pupil’s experience.
The school profile updated in September 2026 describes a four-year Secondary Education Certificate route and a six-year Integrated Programme leading to the IB Diploma. It says the IP allows progression to pre-university study without sitting the SEC examinations. This is a meaningful distinction when reading subject pages or community accounts: some describe preparation for an examination route, while others describe a curriculum built towards IB. Families should establish the route offered to their child and the progression conditions before comparing the experiences.
Paya Lebar Methodist Girls' School (Secondary)
Land purchased in 1916 preceded the opening of Paya Lebar English School in 1917. Its early pupils were boys; girls were admitted the following year. Paya Lebar Methodist Girls’ School became separate primary and secondary units when it moved to Lorong Ah Soo in 1986, with the new premises officially opened in August 1987. The secondary school gained autonomous status in 2001. During PRIME upgrading it moved temporarily to Serangoon North in December 2004, returning in January 2007. This entry covers secondary provision; shared history does not make the two stages’ programmes identical.
PL21 2.0 is a cohort-wide Secondary 1 programme using technology to address real-world problems. Tier 1 includes evaluating digital information, research and note-taking, coding through Code for Fun, and investigating improvements around school, home and community. Higher-ability pupils may access ACE (STEM) or the Global Scholar Programme. ACE combines 3D-printing workshops, learning journeys and a research project; GSP focuses on sustainability and exchanges with overseas peers online. These extensions run for 1.5 years, from Secondary 1’s second semester to the end of Secondary 2, on Wednesdays 2.45pm–5pm, with possible off-campus sessions and independent research.
CCAs and programmes
Anglo-Chinese School (Independent)
- Art and Crafts (Boys)
- Audio Visual Aid (Boys)
- Badminton (Boys)
- Basketball (Boys)
- Bowling (Boys)
- Boys' Brigade (Boys)
- Canoeing (Boys)
- Chinese Chess (Boys)
- Concert Band (Boys)
- Cricket (Boys)
- Cross Country (Boys)
- Debating and Public Speaking (Boys)
- Design and Innovation (Boys)
- English Drama (Boys)
- Environmental Science (Boys)
- Floorball (Boys)
- Football (Boys)
- Golf (Boys)
- Guitar Ensemble (Boys)
- Infocomm Technology (Media Production) (Boys)
- International Chess (Boys)
- International and Global Studies (Boys)
- Mathematics (Boys)
- Media Resource Library (Boys)
- Modern Dance (Boys)
- Modular CCA (Sports) (Boys)
- Modular CCA (Vpa) (Boys)
- National Cadet Corps (NCC) (Air) (Boys)
- National Cadet Corps (NCC) (Land) (Boys)
- National Cadet Corps (NCC) (Sea) (Boys)
- National Civil Defence Cadet Corps (NCDCC) (Boys)
- National Police Cadet Corps (NPCC) (Boys)
- Photography (Boys)
- Physical Science (Boys)
- Publication (Boys)
- Robotics (Boys)
- Rugby (Boys)
- Sailing (Boys)
- Shooting (Boys)
- Social Studies (Boys)
- Softball (Boys)
- Space Science (Boys)
- Squash (Boys)
- St John Brigade (Boys)
- String Ensemble (Boys)
- Swimming (Boys)
- Tennis (Boys)
- Track and Field (Boys)
- Volleyball (Boys)
- Water Polo (Boys)
Paya Lebar Methodist Girls' School (Secondary)
- Badminton (Girls)
- Chinese Drama (Girls)
- Choir (Girls)
- Concert Band (Girls)
- English Drama (Girls)
- English Language, Drama and Debating (Girls)
- Girls' Brigade (Girls)
- Guitar Ensemble (Girls)
- Guzheng Ensemble (Girls)
- Handbell Ensemble (Girls)
- Harp Ensemble (Girls)
- Infocomm Technology (Media Production) (Girls)
- Modern Dance (Girls)
- National Police Cadet Corps (NPCC) (Girls)
- Netball (Girls)
- Rhythmic Gymnastics (Girls)
- St John Brigade (Girls)
- Swimming (Girls)
- Table Tennis (Girls)
- Track and Field (Girls)
- Volleyball (Girls)
Listed DSA programmes at Anglo-Chinese School (Independent)
- Badminton (Boys)
- Badminton (Boys) - IP
- Basketball (Boys)
- Basketball (Boys) - IP
- Bowling (Boys)
- Bowling (Boys) - IP
- Canoeing (Boys)
- Canoeing (Boys) - IP
- Cricket (Boys)
- Cricket (Boys) - IP
- Cross Country (Boys)
- Cross Country (Boys) - IP
- Football (Boys)
- Football (Boys) - IP
- Golf (Boys)
- Golf (Boys) - IP
- Humanities (Boys)
- Humanities (Boys) - IP
- International Chess (Boys)
- International Chess (Boys) - IP
- Mathematics (Boys)
- Mathematics (Boys) - IP
- Music Elective Programme (Boys)
- Music Elective Programme (Boys) - IP
- Robotics (Boys)
- Robotics (Boys) - IP
- Rugby (Boys)
- Rugby (Boys) - IP
- Sailing (Boys)
- Sailing (Boys) - IP
- Science (Boys)
- Science (Boys) - IP
- Shooting (Boys)
- Shooting (Boys) - IP
- Softball (Boys)
- Softball (Boys) - IP
- Squash (Boys)
- Squash (Boys) - IP
- Swimming (Boys)
- Swimming (Boys) - IP
- Tennis (Boys)
- Tennis (Boys) - IP
- Track and Field (Boys)
- Track and Field (Boys) - IP
- Volleyball (Boys)
- Volleyball (Boys) - IP
- Water Polo (Boys)
- Water Polo (Boys) - IP
Listed DSA programmes at Paya Lebar Methodist Girls' School (Secondary)
- Badminton (Girls)
- Concert Band (Girls)
- Guzheng Ensemble (Girls)
- Harp Ensemble (Girls)
- Leadership (Girls)
- Netball (Girls)
- Rhythmic Gymnastics (Girls)
- Swimming (Girls)
- Table Tennis (Girls)
- Volleyball (Girls)
Questions about these schools
How should I choose between Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) and Paya Lebar Methodist Girls' School (Secondary)?
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?
IP · Non-affiliated: Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) 2026 · 4–7; Paya Lebar Methodist Girls' School (Secondary) Not listed. PG3 · Non-affiliated: Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) 2026 · 6–8; Paya Lebar Methodist Girls' School (Secondary) 2026 · 7–10. PG3 · Affiliated: Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) 2026 · 7–13; Paya Lebar Methodist Girls' School (Secondary) 2026 · 7–20. PG2 · Non-affiliated: Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) Not listed; Paya Lebar Methodist Girls' School (Secondary) 2026 · 21–23. PG2 · Affiliated: Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) Not listed; Paya Lebar Methodist Girls' School (Secondary) 2026 · 21–25. PG1 · Non-affiliated: Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) Not listed; Paya Lebar Methodist Girls' School (Secondary) 2026 · 25–30. PG1 · Affiliated: Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) Not listed; Paya Lebar Methodist Girls' School (Secondary) 2026 · 26–27.
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.