School MattersPaya Lebar Methodist Girls' School (Secondary) vs St. Joseph's Institution
Compare recorded PSLE entry ranges, CCAs, DSA programmes and location, with intake years shown alongside the data.
At a glance
| Compare | Paya Lebar Methodist Girls' School (Secondary) | St. Joseph's Institution |
|---|---|---|
| School type | Girls' School | Boys' School |
| Level | Secondary (S1-S4) | Secondary (S1-S4) |
| School tags | Autonomous | IP |
| Zone | East | South |
| Address | 296 Lor Ah Soo | 38 Malcolm Road |
| Nearest MRT | Kovan, Serangoon | Stevens |
| Listed CCAs | 21 | 26 |
| DSA listings | 10 | 40 |
Differences to explore
- CCA
- The records share 0 CCA listings. 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. St. Joseph's Institution also lists Badminton (Boys), Basketball (Boys), CROSS COUNTRY, Canoeing (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. 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. St. Joseph's Institution also lists Badminton (Boys), Badminton (Boys) - IP, Basketball (Boys), Basketball (Boys) - IP and more, which do not appear in the other school's records. Listings may be incomplete; confirm availability with each school.
- Programme tags
- Paya Lebar Methodist Girls' School (Secondary): no IP or SAP tag listed; St. Joseph's Institution: IP. Check the specific programme your child would enter.
- The daily journey
- Nearby MRT stations listed for Paya Lebar Methodist Girls' School (Secondary): Kovan, Serangoon; for St. Joseph's Institution: Stevens. Compare the full journey from home, including transfers and the walk to school.
Recorded entry ranges
| Compare | Paya Lebar Methodist Girls' School (Secondary) | St. Joseph's Institution |
|---|---|---|
| IP · Non-affiliated | Not listed | 2026 · 4–7 |
| PG3 · Non-affiliated | 2026 · 7–10 | 2026 · 4–8 |
| PG3 · Affiliated | 2026 · 7–20 | 2026 · 7–12 |
| PG2 · Non-affiliated | 2026 · 21–23 | Not listed |
| PG2 · Affiliated | 2026 · 21–25 | Not listed |
| PG1 · Non-affiliated | 2026 · 25–30 | Not listed |
| PG1 · Affiliated | 2026 · 26–27 | Not listed |
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
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.
- Our Heritage
- PL21 2.0
- PL21 2.0 (Tier 1: Experience)
- PL21 2.0 (Tier 2: ACE (STEM))
- PL21 2.0 (Tier 2: Global Scholar Programme)
St. Joseph's Institution
SJI began as St John’s School in 1852, a free boys’ school on Bras Basah Road established by the De La Salle Brothers. It took the St Joseph’s Institution name in 1855. In 1988 it became independent and moved to Malcolm Road; after a temporary Bishan relocation for redevelopment, it returned in 2017. The dual secondary pathway and co-educational post-secondary IB Diploma began in 2013. SJI International, established separately in 2007, should not be confused with this institution when checking fees, admissions or reviews. Historical free schooling also does not describe today’s independent-school charges.
The current SEC Programme page describes a four-year route preparing boys for Secondary Education Certificate examinations, with seven- or eight-subject combinations at upper secondary. SJI’s IP is a six-year route leading to the IB Diploma. Both pages describe a lower-secondary foundation in languages, humanities, sciences and mathematics, with inquiry and research. At Years 3–4, SEC pupils have Curriculum+, including project work and career encounters; IP pupils have Year 3 ArtScience and Year 4 Signum Fidei projects with external organisations. Confirm which route an offer covers and its progression conditions, rather than assuming secondary entry guarantees any later course or subject choice.
CCAs and programmes
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)
St. Joseph's Institution
- Badminton (Boys)
- Basketball (Boys)
- CROSS COUNTRY
- Canoeing (Boys)
- Chinese Culture and Language (Boys)
- Choir (Boys)
- Concert Band (Boys)
- Design and Innovation (Boys)
- English Drama (Boys)
- Floorball (Boys)
- Football (Boys)
- Guitar Ensemble (Boys)
- Hockey (Boys)
- Indian Culture and Language (Boys)
- Malay Culture and Language (Boys)
- National Cadet Corps (NCC) (Air) (Boys)
- National Cadet Corps (NCC) (Land) (Boys)
- National Police Cadet Corps (NPCC) (Boys)
- Pipe Band (Boys)
- Rugby (Boys)
- Sailing (Boys)
- Scouts (Boys)
- St John Brigade (Boys)
- Table Tennis (Boys)
- Tennis (Boys)
- Track and Field (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)
Listed DSA programmes at St. Joseph's Institution
- Badminton (Boys)
- Badminton (Boys) - IP
- Basketball (Boys)
- Basketball (Boys) - IP
- Canoeing (Boys)
- Canoeing (Boys) - IP
- Coding (Boys)
- Coding (Boys) - IP
- Cross Country (Boys)
- Cross Country (Boys) - IP
- Floorball (Boys)
- Floorball (Boys) - IP
- Football (Boys)
- Football (Boys) - IP
- Hockey (Boys)
- Hockey (Boys) - IP
- International Chess (Boys)
- International Chess (Boys) - IP
- Judo (Boys)
- Judo (Boys) - IP
- Leadership (Boys)
- Leadership (Boys) - IP
- Programming and 3D Modelling (Boys)
- Programming and 3D Modelling (Boys) - IP
- Robotics (Boys)
- Robotics (Boys) - IP
- Rugby (Boys)
- Rugby (Boys) - IP
- Sailing (Boys)
- Sailing (Boys) - IP
- Table Tennis (Boys)
- Table Tennis (Boys) - IP
- Taekwondo (Boys)
- Taekwondo (Boys) - IP
- Tennis (Boys)
- Tennis (Boys) - IP
- Track and Field (Boys)
- Track and Field (Boys) - IP
- Visual Arts (Boys)
- Visual Arts (Boys) - IP
Questions about these schools
How should I choose between Paya Lebar Methodist Girls' School (Secondary) and St. Joseph's Institution?
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?
IP · Non-affiliated: Paya Lebar Methodist Girls' School (Secondary) Not listed; St. Joseph's Institution 2026 · 4–7. PG3 · Non-affiliated: Paya Lebar Methodist Girls' School (Secondary) 2026 · 7–10; St. Joseph's Institution 2026 · 4–8. PG3 · Affiliated: Paya Lebar Methodist Girls' School (Secondary) 2026 · 7–20; St. Joseph's Institution 2026 · 7–12. PG2 · Non-affiliated: Paya Lebar Methodist Girls' School (Secondary) 2026 · 21–23; St. Joseph's Institution Not listed. PG2 · Affiliated: Paya Lebar Methodist Girls' School (Secondary) 2026 · 21–25; St. Joseph's Institution Not listed. PG1 · Non-affiliated: Paya Lebar Methodist Girls' School (Secondary) 2026 · 25–30; St. Joseph's Institution Not listed. PG1 · Affiliated: Paya Lebar Methodist Girls' School (Secondary) 2026 · 26–27; St. Joseph's Institution Not listed.
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.