School MattersAssumption English School vs Boon Lay Secondary School
Compare recorded PSLE entry ranges, CCAs, DSA programmes and location, with intake years shown alongside the data.
At a glance
| Compare | Assumption English School | Boon Lay Secondary School |
|---|---|---|
| School type | Co-Ed School | Co-Ed School |
| Level | Secondary (S1-S4) | Secondary (S1-S4) |
| School tags | Not listed | Not listed |
| Zone | West | West |
| Address | 622 Upper Bukit Timah Road | 11 Jurong West Street 65 |
| Nearest MRT | Cashew | Boon Lay |
| Listed CCAs | 13 | 16 |
| DSA listings | 7 | 13 |
Differences to explore
- CCA
- The records share 4 CCA listings. Assumption English School also lists Basketball (Girls and Boys), English Language, Drama and Debating (Girls and Boys), Floorball (Boys), Football (Boys) and more, which do not appear in the other school's records. Boon Lay Secondary School also lists Audio Visual Aid (Girls and Boys), Badminton (Girls and Boys), Basketball (Boys), Boys' Brigade (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 0 DSA programme listings. Assumption English School also lists Basketball (Girls and Boys), Community Youth Leadership (Girls and Boys), Debating and Public Speaking (Girls and Boys), Floorball (Boys) and more, which do not appear in the other school's records. Boon Lay Secondary School also lists Badminton (Girls and Boys), Basketball (Boys), Chinese Orchestra (Girls and Boys), Choir (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 Assumption English School: Cashew; for Boon Lay Secondary School: Boon Lay. Compare the full journey from home, including transfers and the walk to school.
Recorded entry ranges
| Compare | Assumption English School | Boon Lay Secondary School |
|---|---|---|
| PG3 · Non-affiliated | 2026 · 10–22 | 2026 · 7–22 |
| PG2 · Non-affiliated | 2026 · 22–25 | 2026 · 22–25 |
| PG1 · Non-affiliated | 2026 · 26–29 | 2026 · 26–30 |
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 sit in the West and share an open COP ceiling, so the real question is what your child needs beyond academics. Assumption leans into its Gabrielite ethos and Applied Learning, while Boon Lay punches above its weight in performing arts and offers far more DSA pathways.
Consider Assumption English School if…
- Strong values formation through Gabrielite Catholic tradition since 1953
- Applied Learning Programme gives hands-on, real-world academic grounding
Consider Boon Lay Secondary School if…
- 13 DSA areas means far more routes in for talented students
- SYF Distinction signals genuinely committed, high-quality performing arts
If character and applied learning matter most, lean Assumption; if your child has a specific talent or passion to develop, Boon Lay gives them more room to grow.
Get to know each school
Assumption English School
The school began in 1953 as Boys’ Town English School, founded by Brother Vincent. MOE’s Heritage Centre records that the secondary section of CHIJ Bukit Timah merged with it in 1973, when it became co-educational and took the Assumption English name. Its primary section closed in December 1992, with pupils absorbed by St Anthony’s Primary. The current building followed another rebuilding from 2013 to 2015 and was officially opened in July 2017. The present secondary school should be distinguished from neighbouring institutions and its former primary section.
The school describes SPEAK as its Applied Learning Programme, using a progression of speaking skills and projects at each level. Students showing a flair for speaking can move into debate, oratory and emceeing opportunities. The English talent page gives dated examples: teams entered debates, book trailers and poetry slam at the 2025 National Schools Literature Festival, while the 2025 Poetry Showdown used the theme of food and eating. Students may also contribute to the student-run AES Manna magazine. These examples show the kinds of writing and performance involved.
Boon Lay Secondary School
Boon Lay Secondary merged with Pioneer Secondary in 2017. Its heritage garden and gallery retain both histories rather than suggesting that the combined school was newly founded that year. The school describes a replica of the Wisdom Bridge, originally built with students’ involvement in 1978, and Ng Eng Teng’s Unity sculpture, unveiled in 1995. The latter also inspired the school logo. These are tangible connections to the two schools’ past that a visitor can look for near the entrance and General Office.
The handbook effective from 29 June 2026 says pupils’ school experiences are organised around CCA groups, with CCA mentors acting as form teachers and guiding the same group through secondary school. NIE’s September 2023 SingTeach feature explains the CCA-Family and CCE-Level structures: juniors and seniors interact, and different CCAs can be paired, such as Boys’ Brigade and Contemporary Dance. The current directory lists 16 CCAs, some with gender restrictions. A family should therefore understand allocation and mentoring arrangements as well as the activity itself.
CCAs and programmes
Assumption English School
- Basketball (Girls and Boys)
- Choir (Girls and Boys)
- Concert Band (Girls and Boys)
- English Language, Drama and Debating (Girls and Boys)
- Floorball (Boys)
- Football (Boys)
- Girl Guides (Girls)
- Judo (Girls and Boys)
- Modern Dance (Girls and Boys)
- National Cadet Corps (NCC) (Sea) (Boys)
- National Police Cadet Corps (NPCC) (Girls and Boys)
- Red Cross Youth (Girls and Boys)
- Softball (Girls)
Boon Lay Secondary School
- Audio Visual Aid (Girls and Boys)
- Badminton (Girls and Boys)
- Basketball (Boys)
- Boys' Brigade (Boys)
- Chinese Orchestra (Girls and Boys)
- Choir (Girls and Boys)
- Concert Band (Girls and Boys)
- English Drama (Girls and Boys)
- Infocomm Technology (Computing) (Girls and Boys)
- Malay Dance (Girls and Boys)
- Modern Dance (Girls and Boys)
- National Cadet Corps (NCC) (Land) (Boys)
- National Civil Defence Cadet Corps (NCDCC) (Girls and Boys)
- National Police Cadet Corps (NPCC) (Girls and Boys)
- Netball (Girls)
- St John Brigade (Girls and Boys)
Listed DSA programmes at Assumption English School
- Basketball (Girls and Boys)
- Community Youth Leadership (Girls and Boys)
- Debating and Public Speaking (Girls and Boys)
- Floorball (Boys)
- Football (Boys)
- Judo (Girls and Boys)
- Softball (Girls)
Listed DSA programmes at Boon Lay Secondary School
- Badminton (Girls and Boys)
- Basketball (Boys)
- Chinese Orchestra (Girls and Boys)
- Choir (Girls and Boys)
- Concert Band (Girls and Boys)
- Digital Media (Girls and Boys)
- English Drama (Girls and Boys)
- Football (Girls)
- Leadership (Girls and Boys)
- Malay Dance (Girls and Boys)
- Modern Dance (Girls and Boys)
- Netball (Girls)
- Theatre (Girls and Boys)
Questions about these schools
How should I choose between Assumption English School and Boon Lay 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: Assumption English School 2026 · 10–22; Boon Lay Secondary School 2026 · 7–22. PG2 · Non-affiliated: Assumption English School 2026 · 22–25; Boon Lay Secondary School 2026 · 22–25. PG1 · Non-affiliated: Assumption English School 2026 · 26–29; Boon Lay Secondary School 2026 · 26–30.
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.