School MattersChung Cheng High School (Main) 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 | Chung Cheng High School (Main) | Paya Lebar Methodist Girls' School (Secondary) |
|---|---|---|
| School type | Co-Ed School | Girls' School |
| Level | Secondary (S1-S4) | Secondary (S1-S4) |
| School tags | SAP · Autonomous | Autonomous |
| Zone | East | East |
| Address | 50 Goodman Road | 296 Lor Ah Soo |
| Nearest MRT | Dakota | Kovan, Serangoon |
| Listed CCAs | 22 | 21 |
| DSA listings | 9 | 10 |
Differences to explore
- CCA
- The records share 1 CCA listing. Chung Cheng High School (Main) also lists Art and Crafts (Girls and Boys), Badminton (Girls and Boys), Basketball (Girls and Boys), Chinese Calligraphy and Brush Painting (Girls and Boys) and more, which do not appear in the other school's records. Paya Lebar Methodist Girls' School (Secondary) also lists Badminton (Girls), Chinese Drama (Girls), Choir (Girls), Concert Band (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 1 DSA programme listing. Chung Cheng High School (Main) also lists Badminton (Girls and Boys), Basketball (Girls and Boys), Chinese Language (Girls and Boys), Chinese Orchestra (Girls and Boys) and more, which do not appear in the other school's records. Paya Lebar Methodist Girls' School (Secondary) also lists Badminton (Girls), Concert Band (Girls), Guzheng Ensemble (Girls), Harp Ensemble (Girls) and more, which do not appear in the other school's records. Listings may be incomplete; confirm availability with each school.
- Programme tags
- Chung Cheng High School (Main): SAP; Paya Lebar Methodist Girls' School (Secondary): no IP or SAP tag listed. Check the specific programme your child would enter.
- The daily journey
- Nearby MRT stations listed for Chung Cheng High School (Main): Dakota; 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 | Chung Cheng High School (Main) | Paya Lebar Methodist Girls' School (Secondary) |
|---|---|---|
| PG3 · Non-affiliated | 2026 · 5D–10M | 2026 · 7–10 |
| PG3 · Affiliated | Not listed | 2026 · 7–20 |
| PG2 · Non-affiliated | Not listed | 2026 · 21–23 |
| PG2 · Affiliated | Not listed | 2026 · 21–25 |
| PG1 · Non-affiliated | Not listed | 2026 · 25–30 |
| PG1 · Affiliated | Not listed | 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
Chung Cheng High School (Main)
Chung Cheng began as a boys' school at Kim Yam Road on 24 January 1939. It closed during the Japanese Occupation and reopened in 1945, admitting girls. The Goodman Road campus became Chung Cheng High School (Main) in 1947; the original campus became the Branch school, which later moved to Yishun. The school joined the Special Assistance Plan in 1979 and became autonomous in 1996. Its Administration Building and Entrance Arch were gazetted together as a National Monument in 2014. The school records the reopening of the Grand Auditorium in July 2025.
Students mention the lake when describing their school days. A 2024 graduate described walking beside it when studies felt overwhelming, and staying in classrooms to study after lessons. In a separate account, a self-described Secondary 4 student wrote about spending time revising in the “fish tank” study space. The 2024 graduate also gave specific examples of teacher help: optional Additional Maths lessons during the June holidays, Chemistry revision sessions for a small group, and teachers willing to mark extra work. The Secondary 4 writer praised their upper-secondary teachers but said their lower-secondary experience had been disappointing. For an incoming Secondary 1 family, support in the first two years is worth asking about.
- Chung Cheng High School (Main): school history
- National Heritage Board: Chung Cheng Main Administration Building and Entrance Arch
- 2024 graduate: school environment and teacher support
- CCHM glaze: a self-described Secondary 4 student’s account
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
Chung Cheng High School (Main)
- Art and Crafts (Girls and Boys)
- Badminton (Girls and Boys)
- Basketball (Girls and Boys)
- Chinese Calligraphy and Brush Painting (Girls and Boys)
- Chinese Chess (Girls and Boys)
- Chinese Drama (Girls and Boys)
- Chinese Orchestra (Girls and Boys)
- Choir (Girls and Boys)
- Concert Band (Girls and Boys)
- Digital Media (Girls and Boys)
- English Drama (Girls and Boys)
- Girl Guides (Girls)
- Lion and Dragon Dance (Girls and Boys)
- Modern Dance (Girls and Boys)
- National Cadet Corps (NCC) (Land) (Boys)
- National Police Cadet Corps (NPCC) (Girls and Boys)
- Netball (Girls)
- Scouts (Boys)
- St John Brigade (Girls and Boys)
- Table Tennis (Girls and Boys)
- Volleyball (Girls and Boys)
- Wushu (Girls and Boys)
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 Chung Cheng High School (Main)
- Badminton (Girls and Boys)
- Basketball (Girls and Boys)
- Chinese Language (Girls and Boys)
- Chinese Orchestra (Girls and Boys)
- Concert Band (Girls and Boys)
- Netball (Girls)
- Table Tennis (Girls and Boys)
- Volleyball (Girls and Boys)
- Wushu (Girls and Boys)
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 Chung Cheng High School (Main) 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: Chung Cheng High School (Main) 2026 · 5D–10M; Paya Lebar Methodist Girls' School (Secondary) 2026 · 7–10. PG3 · Affiliated: Chung Cheng High School (Main) Not listed; Paya Lebar Methodist Girls' School (Secondary) 2026 · 7–20. PG2 · Non-affiliated: Chung Cheng High School (Main) Not listed; Paya Lebar Methodist Girls' School (Secondary) 2026 · 21–23. PG2 · Affiliated: Chung Cheng High School (Main) Not listed; Paya Lebar Methodist Girls' School (Secondary) 2026 · 21–25. PG1 · Non-affiliated: Chung Cheng High School (Main) Not listed; Paya Lebar Methodist Girls' School (Secondary) 2026 · 25–30. PG1 · Affiliated: Chung Cheng High School (Main) Not listed; 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.