School MattersBukit Merah Secondary 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 | Bukit Merah Secondary 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 | South | South |
| Address | 10 Lengkok Bahru | 626 Lorong 1 Toa Payoh |
| Nearest MRT | Redhill | Toa Payoh |
| Listed CCAs | 13 | 21 |
| DSA listings | 4 | 10 |
Differences to explore
- CCA
- The records share 0 CCA listings. Bukit Merah Secondary School also lists Audio Visual Aid (Girls and Boys), Basketball (Girls and Boys), Concert Band (Girls and Boys), English Drama (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. Bukit Merah Secondary School also lists Basketball (Girls and Boys), Floorball (Girls and Boys), Stem (Girls and Boys), Tchoukball (Girls and Boys), 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 Bukit Merah Secondary School: Redhill; for CHIJ Secondary (Toa Payoh): Toa Payoh. Compare the full journey from home, including transfers and the walk to school.
Recorded entry ranges
| Compare | Bukit Merah Secondary School | CHIJ Secondary (Toa Payoh) |
|---|---|---|
| PG3 · Non-affiliated | 2026 · 8–22 | 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 · 25–28 | 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
Bukit Merah Secondary School
Bukit Merah Secondary was established in 1968 at 10 Lengkok Bahru with English- and Chinese-medium classes. It became English-medium in 1984. MOE’s heritage history records mergers with Saint Thomas in 2001, Delta in 2004 and Henderson in 2017, and a temporary stay at Raeburn Park before returning in March 2003. The school marked its 50th anniversary in 2018. Its history therefore includes several former communities, alongside the floorball and robotics programmes now described on the school’s own pages.
Creative Robotics and Engineering is a two-year ALP for Secondary 1 and 2. The first year introduces AI and machine learning through Micro:bit coding tasks involving visual and vocal recognition. The second uses group design and prototypes to address simulated real-life problems. A separate tier, anchored by the Engineering and Innovation Club, serves pupils with greater interest or aptitude and offers competition opportunities. The common programme and that additional CCA tier are different commitments, even though both use coding and engineering.
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
Bukit Merah Secondary School
- Audio Visual Aid (Girls and Boys)
- Basketball (Girls and Boys)
- Concert Band (Girls and Boys)
- English Drama (Girls and Boys)
- Entrepreneurship (Girls and Boys)
- Floorball (Girls and Boys)
- Infocomm Technology (Media Production) (Girls and Boys)
- Modern Dance (Girls and Boys)
- National Cadet Corps (NCC) (Land) (Girls and Boys)
- Robotics (Girls and Boys)
- Scouts (Girls and Boys)
- St John Brigade (Girls and Boys)
- Tchoukball (Girls and Boys)
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 Bukit Merah Secondary School
- Basketball (Girls and Boys)
- Floorball (Girls and Boys)
- Stem (Girls and Boys)
- Tchoukball (Girls and Boys)
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 Bukit Merah Secondary 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: Bukit Merah Secondary School 2026 · 8–22; CHIJ Secondary (Toa Payoh) 2026 · 6–10. PG3 · Affiliated: Bukit Merah Secondary School Not listed; CHIJ Secondary (Toa Payoh) 2026 · 8–20. PG2 · Non-affiliated: Bukit Merah Secondary School 2026 · 22–25; CHIJ Secondary (Toa Payoh) 2026 · 21–22. PG2 · Affiliated: Bukit Merah Secondary School Not listed; CHIJ Secondary (Toa Payoh) 2026 · 21–25. PG1 · Non-affiliated: Bukit Merah Secondary School 2026 · 25–28; CHIJ Secondary (Toa Payoh) 2026 · 25–28. PG1 · Affiliated: Bukit Merah Secondary 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.