School MattersCHIJ Secondary (Toa Payoh) vs Paya Lebar Methodist Girls' School (Secondary)
Compare recorded PSLE entry ranges, CCAs, DSA programmes and location, with intake years shown alongside the data.
At a glance
| Compare | CHIJ Secondary (Toa Payoh) | Paya Lebar Methodist Girls' School (Secondary) |
|---|---|---|
| School type | Girls' School | Girls' School |
| Level | Secondary (S1-S4) | Secondary (S1-S4) |
| School tags | Autonomous | Autonomous |
| Zone | South | East |
| Address | 626 Lorong 1 Toa Payoh | 296 Lor Ah Soo |
| Nearest MRT | Toa Payoh | Kovan, Serangoon |
| Listed CCAs | 21 | 21 |
| DSA listings | 10 | 10 |
Differences to explore
- CCA
- The records share 10 CCA listings. CHIJ Secondary (Toa Payoh) also lists Art and Crafts (Girls), Basketball (Girls), Bowling (Girls), Chinese Culture and Language (Girls) and more, which do not appear in the other school's records. Paya Lebar Methodist Girls' School (Secondary) also lists Chinese Drama (Girls), English Language, Drama and Debating (Girls), Girls' Brigade (Girls), Guzheng Ensemble (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 4 DSA programme listings. CHIJ Secondary (Toa Payoh) also lists Basketball (Girls), Bowling (Girls), Choir (Girls), Debating (Girls) and more, which do not appear in the other school's records. Paya Lebar Methodist Girls' School (Secondary) also lists Guzheng Ensemble (Girls), Harp Ensemble (Girls), Leadership (Girls), Swimming (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 CHIJ Secondary (Toa Payoh): Toa Payoh; for Paya Lebar Methodist Girls' School (Secondary): Kovan, Serangoon. Compare the full journey from home, including transfers and the walk to school.
Recorded entry ranges
| Compare | CHIJ Secondary (Toa Payoh) | Paya Lebar Methodist Girls' School (Secondary) |
|---|---|---|
| PG3 · Non-affiliated | 2026 · 6–10 | 2026 · 7–10 |
| PG3 · Affiliated | 2026 · 8–20 | 2026 · 7–20 |
| PG2 · Non-affiliated | 2026 · 21–22 | 2026 · 21–23 |
| PG2 · Affiliated | 2026 · 21–25 | 2026 · 21–25 |
| PG1 · Non-affiliated | 2026 · 25–28 | 2026 · 25–30 |
| PG1 · Affiliated | 2026 · 26–29 | 2026 · 26–27 |
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.
Get to know each school
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.
Paya Lebar Methodist Girls' School (Secondary)
Land purchased in 1916 preceded the opening of Paya Lebar English School in 1917. Its early pupils were boys; girls were admitted the following year. Paya Lebar Methodist Girls’ School became separate primary and secondary units when it moved to Lorong Ah Soo in 1986, with the new premises officially opened in August 1987. The secondary school gained autonomous status in 2001. During PRIME upgrading it moved temporarily to Serangoon North in December 2004, returning in January 2007. This entry covers secondary provision; shared history does not make the two stages’ programmes identical.
PL21 2.0 is a cohort-wide Secondary 1 programme using technology to address real-world problems. Tier 1 includes evaluating digital information, research and note-taking, coding through Code for Fun, and investigating improvements around school, home and community. Higher-ability pupils may access ACE (STEM) or the Global Scholar Programme. ACE combines 3D-printing workshops, learning journeys and a research project; GSP focuses on sustainability and exchanges with overseas peers online. These extensions run for 1.5 years, from Secondary 1’s second semester to the end of Secondary 2, on Wednesdays 2.45pm–5pm, with possible off-campus sessions and independent research.
CCAs and programmes
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)
Paya Lebar Methodist Girls' School (Secondary)
- Badminton (Girls)
- Chinese Drama (Girls)
- Choir (Girls)
- Concert Band (Girls)
- English Drama (Girls)
- English Language, Drama and Debating (Girls)
- Girls' Brigade (Girls)
- Guitar Ensemble (Girls)
- Guzheng Ensemble (Girls)
- Handbell Ensemble (Girls)
- Harp Ensemble (Girls)
- Infocomm Technology (Media Production) (Girls)
- Modern Dance (Girls)
- National Police Cadet Corps (NPCC) (Girls)
- Netball (Girls)
- Rhythmic Gymnastics (Girls)
- St John Brigade (Girls)
- Swimming (Girls)
- Table Tennis (Girls)
- Track and Field (Girls)
- Volleyball (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)
Listed DSA programmes at Paya Lebar Methodist Girls' School (Secondary)
- Badminton (Girls)
- Concert Band (Girls)
- Guzheng Ensemble (Girls)
- Harp Ensemble (Girls)
- Leadership (Girls)
- Netball (Girls)
- Rhythmic Gymnastics (Girls)
- Swimming (Girls)
- Table Tennis (Girls)
- Volleyball (Girls)
Questions about these schools
How should I choose between CHIJ Secondary (Toa Payoh) and Paya Lebar Methodist Girls' School (Secondary)?
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: CHIJ Secondary (Toa Payoh) 2026 · 6–10; Paya Lebar Methodist Girls' School (Secondary) 2026 · 7–10. PG3 · Affiliated: CHIJ Secondary (Toa Payoh) 2026 · 8–20; Paya Lebar Methodist Girls' School (Secondary) 2026 · 7–20. PG2 · Non-affiliated: CHIJ Secondary (Toa Payoh) 2026 · 21–22; Paya Lebar Methodist Girls' School (Secondary) 2026 · 21–23. PG2 · Affiliated: CHIJ Secondary (Toa Payoh) 2026 · 21–25; Paya Lebar Methodist Girls' School (Secondary) 2026 · 21–25. PG1 · Non-affiliated: CHIJ Secondary (Toa Payoh) 2026 · 25–28; Paya Lebar Methodist Girls' School (Secondary) 2026 · 25–30. PG1 · Affiliated: CHIJ Secondary (Toa Payoh) 2026 · 26–29; Paya Lebar Methodist Girls' School (Secondary) 2026 · 26–27.
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.