School MattersAssumption English 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 | Assumption English 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 | West | North |
| Address | 622 Upper Bukit Timah Road | 11 Rivervale Link |
| Nearest MRT | Cashew | Sengkang, Buangkok, Ranggung |
| Listed CCAs | 13 | 18 |
| DSA listings | 7 | 10 |
Differences to explore
- CCA
- The records share 6 CCA listings. Assumption English School also lists Choir (Girls and Boys), English Language, Drama and Debating (Girls and Boys), Floorball (Boys), Judo (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), English Drama (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. Assumption English School also lists Community Youth Leadership (Girls and Boys), Debating and Public Speaking (Girls and Boys), Floorball (Boys), Judo (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), Concert Band (Girls and Boys), Golf (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 North Vista Secondary School: Sengkang, Buangkok, Ranggung. Compare the full journey from home, including transfers and the walk to school.
Recorded entry ranges
| Compare | Assumption English School | North Vista Secondary School |
|---|---|---|
| PG3 · Non-affiliated | 2026 · 10–22 | 2026 · 11–18 |
| PG2 · Non-affiliated | 2026 · 22–25 | 2026 · 21–24 |
| PG1 · Non-affiliated | 2026 · 26–29 | 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
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.
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
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)
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 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 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 Assumption English 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: Assumption English School 2026 · 10–22; North Vista Secondary School 2026 · 11–18. PG2 · Non-affiliated: Assumption English School 2026 · 22–25; North Vista Secondary School 2026 · 21–24. PG1 · Non-affiliated: Assumption English School 2026 · 26–29; 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.