School MattersAssumption English 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 | Assumption English 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 | West | South |
| Address | 622 Upper Bukit Timah Road | 626 Lorong 1 Toa Payoh |
| Nearest MRT | Cashew | Toa Payoh |
| Listed CCAs | 13 | 21 |
| DSA listings | 7 | 10 |
Differences to explore
- CCA
- The records share 1 CCA listing. Assumption English School also lists Basketball (Girls and Boys), Choir (Girls and Boys), Concert Band (Girls and Boys), English Language, Drama and Debating (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 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. CHIJ Secondary (Toa Payoh) also lists Badminton (Girls), Basketball (Girls), Bowling (Girls), Choir (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 Assumption English School: Cashew; for CHIJ Secondary (Toa Payoh): Toa Payoh. Compare the full journey from home, including transfers and the walk to school.
Recorded entry ranges
| Compare | Assumption English School | CHIJ Secondary (Toa Payoh) |
|---|---|---|
| PG3 · Non-affiliated | 2026 · 10–22 | 2026 · 6–10 |
| PG3 · Affiliated | Not listed | 2026 · 8–20 |
| PG2 · Non-affiliated | 2026 · 22–25 | 2026 · 21–22 |
| PG2 · Affiliated | Not listed | 2026 · 21–25 |
| PG1 · Non-affiliated | 2026 · 26–29 | 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
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.
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
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)
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 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 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 Assumption English 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: Assumption English School 2026 · 10–22; CHIJ Secondary (Toa Payoh) 2026 · 6–10. PG3 · Affiliated: Assumption English School Not listed; CHIJ Secondary (Toa Payoh) 2026 · 8–20. PG2 · Non-affiliated: Assumption English School 2026 · 22–25; CHIJ Secondary (Toa Payoh) 2026 · 21–22. PG2 · Affiliated: Assumption English School Not listed; CHIJ Secondary (Toa Payoh) 2026 · 21–25. PG1 · Non-affiliated: Assumption English School 2026 · 26–29; CHIJ Secondary (Toa Payoh) 2026 · 25–28. PG1 · Affiliated: Assumption English 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.