School MattersCanberra Secondary School vs Marsiling Secondary School
Compare recorded PSLE entry ranges, CCAs, DSA programmes and location, with intake years shown alongside the data.
At a glance
| Compare | Canberra Secondary School | Marsiling Secondary School |
|---|---|---|
| School type | Co-Ed School | Co-Ed School |
| Level | Secondary (S1-S4) | Secondary (S1-S4) |
| School tags | Not listed | Not listed |
| Zone | North | North |
| Address | 51 Sembawang Drive | 12 Marsiling Road |
| Nearest MRT | Sembawang | Marsiling |
| Listed CCAs | 16 | 15 |
| DSA listings | 4 | 10 |
Differences to explore
- CCA
- The records share 5 CCA listings. Canberra Secondary School also lists Choir (Girls and Boys), Digital Media (Girls and Boys), Girls' Brigade (Girls), Guitar Ensemble (Girls and Boys) and more, which do not appear in the other school's records. Marsiling Secondary School also lists Art and Crafts (Girls and Boys), Chinese Orchestra (Girls and Boys), English Drama (Girls and Boys), Floorball (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 1 DSA programme listing. Canberra Secondary School also lists Media Arts / Film / Photography (Girls and Boys), Robotics (Girls and Boys), Volleyball (Girls and Boys), which do not appear in the other school's records. Marsiling Secondary School also lists Chinese Orchestra (Girls and Boys), Concert Band (Girls and Boys), English Drama (Girls and Boys), Environmental Science (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 Canberra Secondary School: Sembawang; for Marsiling Secondary School: Marsiling. Compare the full journey from home, including transfers and the walk to school.
Recorded entry ranges
| Compare | Canberra Secondary School | Marsiling Secondary School |
|---|---|---|
| PG3 · Non-affiliated | 2026 · 17–22 | 2026 · 14–22 |
| PG2 · Non-affiliated | 2026 · 21–25 | 2026 · 21–25 |
| PG1 · Non-affiliated | 2026 · 25–29 | 2026 · 25–27 |
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.
How to choose between them
Both are North zone co-ed schools with identical founding years and overlapping COP ranges, so the real differentiator is fit. Marsiling offers more DSA pathways and a strong performing arts track record, while Canberra gives you a slightly wider CCA spread. Match to your child's strengths, not just the score.
Consider Canberra Secondary School if…
- 22 CCAs offers broader activity variety for explorers
- Slightly wider COP range may ease entry pressure
Consider Marsiling Secondary School if…
- 10 DSA areas maximises direct admission opportunities
- 3 SYF Distinctions signal a proven performing arts culture
If your child has a clear talent or passion, Marsiling's DSA breadth and arts pedigree make it the stronger targeted bet.
Get to know each school
Canberra Secondary School
Canberra Secondary was established in 2000, first operating at what is now Sembawang Secondary before moving to 51 Sembawang Drive. MOE’s history records digital-media niche status in 2012 and the introduction of its digital-media ALP and community-leadership LLP in 2015. Teachers were designated Character Coaches in 2018. These milestones provide context for the current programmes; they are not a comparison of the school’s results or pastoral effectiveness with other schools.
The current Visual Arts, Design and Media ALP moves from finding a community need to planning, making and communicating through photos and video. Cohort 1 focuses on photography, editing and photo journals; Cohort 2 covers storyboarding, videography and video editing. Projects explore themes such as sustainability, food and health, and a diverse society. The school distinguishes Tier 1 knowledge-building from Tier 2 personal projects through the Digital Media in Visual Arts CCA, so the CCA extension should not be assumed for everyone.
Marsiling Secondary School
Marsiling Secondary began in 2000 at Woodgrove Secondary’s premises, moved to Marsiling Road in 2002 and officially opened its campus in 2003. It merged with Si Ling Secondary in 2017. MOE’s history explains that the merged school’s Chinese name, 士林中学, combines elements from the two predecessors. Its environmental-learning centre opened in 2007, and the school received the President’s Award for the Environment in 2012. Older accounts need to be read with those campus and merger changes in mind.
Eco-Sustainability through Inquiry-Based Learning uses STEM to work on environmental problems. Secondary 1 pupils use Arduino and sensors for ideas such as a smart bin or waste sorter. Secondary 2 combines Arduino or micro:bit with an energy-conservation prototype, then pitches it to peers and teachers. The school also describes vertical farming, rainwater collection and solar panels as learning resources. Environment Councillors take additional ambassador roles; that leadership opportunity is separate from the level programme.
CCAs and programmes
Canberra Secondary School
- Badminton (Girls and Boys)
- Boys' Brigade (Boys)
- Choir (Girls and Boys)
- Concert Band (Girls and Boys)
- Digital Media (Girls and Boys)
- Girls' Brigade (Girls)
- Guitar Ensemble (Girls and Boys)
- Guzheng Ensemble (Girls and Boys)
- Modern Dance (Girls and Boys)
- National Cadet Corps (NCC) (Air) (Girls and Boys)
- National Civil Defence Cadet Corps (NCDCC) (Girls and Boys)
- National Police Cadet Corps (NPCC) (Girls and Boys)
- Netball (Girls)
- Shooting (Girls and Boys)
- Taekwondo (Girls and Boys)
- Volleyball (Girls and Boys)
Marsiling Secondary School
- Art and Crafts (Girls and Boys)
- Badminton (Girls and Boys)
- Boys' Brigade (Boys)
- Chinese Orchestra (Girls and Boys)
- Concert Band (Girls and Boys)
- English Drama (Girls and Boys)
- Floorball (Girls and Boys)
- Infocomm Technology (Media Production) (Girls and Boys)
- Malay Dance (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)
- Sepaktakraw (Boys)
- Strategy Games (Girls and Boys)
Listed DSA programmes at Canberra Secondary School
- Badminton (Girls and Boys)
- Media Arts / Film / Photography (Girls and Boys)
- Robotics (Girls and Boys)
- Volleyball (Girls and Boys)
Listed DSA programmes at Marsiling Secondary School
- Badminton (Girls and Boys)
- Chinese Orchestra (Girls and Boys)
- Concert Band (Girls and Boys)
- English Drama (Girls and Boys)
- Environmental Science (Girls and Boys)
- Floorball (Girls and Boys)
- Leadership (Girls and Boys)
- Malay Dance (Girls and Boys)
- Modern Dance (Girls and Boys)
- Sepaktakraw (Boys)
Questions about these schools
How should I choose between Canberra Secondary School and Marsiling 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: Canberra Secondary School 2026 · 17–22; Marsiling Secondary School 2026 · 14–22. PG2 · Non-affiliated: Canberra Secondary School 2026 · 21–25; Marsiling Secondary School 2026 · 21–25. PG1 · Non-affiliated: Canberra Secondary School 2026 · 25–29; Marsiling Secondary School 2026 · 25–27.
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.