School MattersDunearn Secondary School vs St. Patrick's School
Compare recorded PSLE entry ranges, CCAs, DSA programmes and location, with intake years shown alongside the data.
At a glance
| Compare | Dunearn Secondary School | St. Patrick's School |
|---|---|---|
| School type | Co-Ed School | Boys' School |
| Level | Secondary (S1-S4) | Secondary (S1-S4) |
| School tags | Not listed | Not listed |
| Zone | West | East |
| Address | 21 Bukit Batok West Avenue 2 | 490 East Coast Road |
| Nearest MRT | Bukit Batok, Bukit Gombak | Marine Terrace |
| Listed CCAs | 13 | 18 |
| DSA listings | 1 | 17 |
Differences to explore
- CCA
- The records share 3 CCA listings. Dunearn Secondary School also lists Basketball (Girls and Boys), Choir (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. St. Patrick's School also lists Badminton (Boys), Basketball (Boys), Concert Band (Boys), Cricket (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 0 DSA programme listings. Dunearn Secondary School also lists Community Youth Leadership (Girls and Boys), which do not appear in the other school's records. St. Patrick's School also lists Badminton (Boys), Basketball (Boys), Community Youth Leadership (Boys), Computational Thinking Skills (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 Dunearn Secondary School: Bukit Batok, Bukit Gombak; for St. Patrick's School: Marine Terrace. Compare the full journey from home, including transfers and the walk to school.
Recorded entry ranges
| Compare | Dunearn Secondary School | St. Patrick's School |
|---|---|---|
| PG3 · Non-affiliated | 2026 · 11–22 | 2026 · 11 |
| PG3 · Affiliated | Not listed | 2026 · 13–20 |
| PG2 · Non-affiliated | 2026 · 22–25 | 2026 · 21–22 |
| PG2 · Affiliated | Not listed | 2026 · 21–25 |
| PG1 · Non-affiliated | 2026 · 25–29 | 2026 · 25–27 |
| PG1 · Affiliated | Not listed | 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
Dunearn Secondary School
Dunearn began as Dunearn Government Chinese Middle School at Hillcrest Avenue in 1962. It merged with Dunearn Vocational School in 1969, bringing Chinese- and English-medium education and academic and technical courses together. The school moved to Bukit Batok West Avenue 2 in 1993. Its former pre-university course was phased out in 1994. PRIME rebuilding involved a temporary Jalan Boon Lay site in 2016 and a return to Bukit Batok in 2018; older campus and pre-university memories need that context.
The current ApLM page says pupils have an opportunity to take an Applied Learning Module in Secondary 3. Its 2025 examples include Singapore Polytechnic food innovation, Python and machine-learning work that recognises food items, and game-character design using Wacom tablets and Photoshop. Food activities involved sensory analysis and recipes such as ice cream and croissants. These are dated examples of different modules, not a promise that one pupil takes all three. Families should ask which modules will be offered and how preferences are allocated for their cohort.
St. Patrick's School
St Patrick’s began in 1933 as a branch of St Joseph’s Institution before becoming a school in its own right. Its building was used as a hospital and then a Japanese administrative facility during the war, returning to the La Salle Brothers in 1946. The primary section separated to become St Stephen’s School in 1957. A co-educational pre-university period ended with a return to an all-boys school in 1978. Its 90th anniversary was celebrated in 2023. The Catholic ethos includes prayers, reflections, Masses and Catholic societies; families should clarify how these experiences apply to pupils of different faiths.
The Music and Music Technology LLP introduces all lower-secondary pupils to instrumental skills, performance and digital music creation. The page describes ukulele group work, a keyboard module involving melody and chords with both hands, and software for arrangements or expressive music cues. Sec 1 orientation includes performances and instrument stations led by Military Band and Guitar Ensemble students. A separate Rock Band Interest Group has weekly guided jamming for interested pupils. Talent shows and lunchtime showcases offer performance platforms, but linked 2021 submissions are historical examples rather than evidence of this year’s event schedule.
CCAs and programmes
Dunearn Secondary School
- Basketball (Girls and Boys)
- Choir (Girls and Boys)
- Concert Band (Girls and Boys)
- English Drama (Girls and Boys)
- Football (Boys)
- Infocomm Technology (Media Production) (Girls and Boys)
- Media Resource Library (Girls and Boys)
- Modern Dance (Girls and Boys)
- National Cadet Corps (NCC) (Land) (Boys)
- National Police Cadet Corps (NPCC) (Girls and Boys)
- Scouts (Boys)
- St John Brigade (Girls and Boys)
- Table Tennis (Girls and Boys)
St. Patrick's School
- Badminton (Boys)
- Basketball (Boys)
- Concert Band (Boys)
- Cricket (Boys)
- English Drama (Boys)
- Floorball (Boys)
- Football (Boys)
- Golf (Boys)
- Guitar Ensemble (Boys)
- Media Resource Library (Boys)
- Modern Dance (Boys)
- National Cadet Corps (NCC) (Air) (Boys)
- National Cadet Corps (NCC) (Land) (Boys)
- National Police Cadet Corps (NPCC) (Boys)
- Scouts (Boys)
- Singapore Youth Flying Club (Boys)
- Tennis (Boys)
- Track and Field (Boys)
Listed DSA programmes at Dunearn Secondary School
- Community Youth Leadership (Girls and Boys)
Listed DSA programmes at St. Patrick's School
- Badminton (Boys)
- Basketball (Boys)
- Community Youth Leadership (Boys)
- Computational Thinking Skills (Boys)
- Concert Band (Boys)
- Cricket (Boys)
- English Drama (Boys)
- Floorball (Boys)
- Football (Boys)
- Golf (Boys)
- Guitar Ensemble (Boys)
- Media/Journalism (Boys)
- Modern Dance (Boys)
- National Police Cadet Corps (NPCC) (Boys)
- Scouts (Boys)
- Tennis (Boys)
- Track and Field (Boys)
Questions about these schools
How should I choose between Dunearn Secondary School and St. Patrick's 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: Dunearn Secondary School 2026 · 11–22; St. Patrick's School 2026 · 11. PG3 · Affiliated: Dunearn Secondary School Not listed; St. Patrick's School 2026 · 13–20. PG2 · Non-affiliated: Dunearn Secondary School 2026 · 22–25; St. Patrick's School 2026 · 21–22. PG2 · Affiliated: Dunearn Secondary School Not listed; St. Patrick's School 2026 · 21–25. PG1 · Non-affiliated: Dunearn Secondary School 2026 · 25–29; St. Patrick's School 2026 · 25–27. PG1 · Affiliated: Dunearn Secondary School Not listed; St. Patrick's 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.