School MattersSt. Margaret's School (Secondary) vs Yishun Secondary School
Compare recorded PSLE entry ranges, CCAs, DSA programmes and location, with intake years shown alongside the data.
At a glance
| Compare | St. Margaret's School (Secondary) | Yishun Secondary School |
|---|---|---|
| School type | Girls' School | Co-Ed School |
| Level | Secondary (S1-S4) | Secondary (S1-S4) |
| School tags | Autonomous | Not listed |
| Zone | South | North |
| Address | 111 Farrer Road | 4 Yishun Street 71 |
| Nearest MRT | Farrer Road | Yishun, Khatib |
| Listed CCAs | 21 | 19 |
| DSA listings | 16 | 10 |
Differences to explore
- CCA
- The records share 2 CCA listings. St. Margaret's School (Secondary) also lists Art and Crafts (Girls), Badminton (Girls), Basketball (Girls), Bowling (Girls) and more, which do not appear in the other school's records. Yishun Secondary School also lists Badminton (Girls and Boys), Basketball (Girls and Boys), Boys' Brigade (Boys), Choir (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. St. Margaret's School (Secondary) also lists Badminton (Girls), Basketball (Girls), Bowling (Girls), Chinese Dance (Girls) and more, which do not appear in the other school's records. Yishun Secondary School also lists Badminton (Girls and Boys), Basketball (Girls and Boys), English Drama (Girls and Boys), Football (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 St. Margaret's School (Secondary): Farrer Road; for Yishun Secondary School: Yishun, Khatib. Compare the full journey from home, including transfers and the walk to school.
Recorded entry ranges
| Compare | St. Margaret's School (Secondary) | Yishun Secondary School |
|---|---|---|
| PG3 · Non-affiliated | 2026 · 8–11 | 2026 · 12–20 |
| PG3 · Affiliated | 2026 · 10–20 | Not listed |
| PG2 · Non-affiliated | 2026 · 21–23 | 2026 · 21–24 |
| PG2 · Affiliated | 2026 · 21–25 | Not listed |
| PG1 · Non-affiliated | 2026 · 25–26 | 2026 · 25–27 |
| PG1 · Affiliated | 2026 · 25–28 | 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
St. Margaret's School (Secondary)
St Margaret’s traces its roots to Maria Dyer’s 1842 home and school for homeless girls in North Bridge Road. The school moved to Sophia Road in 1861 and adopted the St Margaret’s name after the Second World War. A separate secondary campus was completed at Farrer Road in 1960 and officially opened in 1963. Redevelopment began in 1998, with a temporary move to Commonwealth Avenue before returning in December 2000; the rebuilt campus was officially opened in 2002. From January 2023, the primary and secondary schools adopted the St Margaret’s School names to reflect their shared heritage. The primary school’s recent Sophia Road return is a separate campus story.
The Arts Education Programme targets all students through assembly performances and post-examination workshops, with examples including gamelan, creative movement, manga art and storytelling. Enhanced Music is a separate two-year upper-secondary course for students with musical potential and interest. Sec 2 applicants are directed to their Music teacher in Term 3; selection includes aural tests and recordings of two contrasting pieces. The page also describes a written test and audition, so confirm the current procedure. It still names the O-Level examination: incoming cohorts should check their applicable examination and subject requirements. Choir, String Ensemble and Concert Band support Music opportunities but do not guarantee EMP admission.
Yishun Secondary School
MOE records establishment in January 1986 at 4 Yishun Street 71 and the official opening on 19 August 1988. Single-session schooling began in 1999, with PRIME upgrading in 2002 and a Heritage Walk launched for the 25th anniversary in 2011. Sonic Arts ALP recognition followed in 2014, and Community and Youth Leadership LLP in 2015. This is Yishun Secondary, not Yishun Town Secondary: the similar names do not make their histories, reviews or programmes interchangeable. Families should check the full school name when following community links or reading older accounts.
The current distinctive programme brings music arrangement and technology together with community outreach. Tier 1 introduces all pupils through music lessons: Secondary 1 builds foundations and Secondary 2 explores music technology with industry professionals. Tier 2 offers deeper masterclasses and recording-studio work for pupils with stronger interest, plus Vocalistic and Arts Extravaganza showcase platforms. Tier 3 is for selected pupils representing the school in competitions and community performances. This is a clearer picture than simply calling the school musical: everyday learning and advanced representation carry different participation requirements.
CCAs and programmes
St. Margaret's School (Secondary)
- Art and Crafts (Girls)
- Badminton (Girls)
- Basketball (Girls)
- Bowling (Girls)
- Chinese Dance (Girls)
- Choir (Girls)
- Concert Band (Girls)
- English Drama (Girls)
- Fencing (Girls)
- Floorball (Girls)
- Girl Guides (Girls)
- Girls' Brigade (Girls)
- Indian Dance (Girls)
- Infocomm Technology (Media Production) (Girls)
- Malay Dance (Girls)
- Modern Dance (Girls)
- National Police Cadet Corps (NPCC) (Girls)
- Netball (Girls)
- Red Cross Youth (Girls)
- String Ensemble (Girls)
- Tennis (Girls)
Yishun Secondary School
- Badminton (Girls and Boys)
- Basketball (Girls and Boys)
- Boys' Brigade (Boys)
- Choir (Girls and Boys)
- Concert Band (Girls and Boys)
- English Drama (Girls and Boys)
- Football (Boys)
- Girl Guides (Girls)
- Guzheng Ensemble (Girls and Boys)
- Indian Dance (Girls and Boys)
- Infocomm Technology (Media Production) (Girls and Boys)
- Malay Dance (Girls and Boys)
- Modern Dance (Girls and Boys)
- National Cadet Corps (NCC) (Land) (Boys)
- National Civil Defence Cadet Corps (NCDCC) (Girls and Boys)
- National Police Cadet Corps (NPCC) (Girls and Boys)
- Netball (Girls)
- Robotics (Girls and Boys)
- Volleyball (Girls)
Listed DSA programmes at St. Margaret's School (Secondary)
- Badminton (Girls)
- Basketball (Girls)
- Bowling (Girls)
- Chinese Dance (Girls)
- Choir (Girls)
- Concert Band (Girls)
- English Drama (Girls)
- Fencing (Girls)
- Floorball (Girls)
- Indian Dance (Girls)
- Malay Dance (Girls)
- Modern Dance (Girls)
- Netball (Girls)
- String Ensemble (Girls)
- Tennis (Girls)
- Visual Arts (Girls)
Listed DSA programmes at Yishun Secondary School
- Badminton (Girls and Boys)
- Basketball (Girls and Boys)
- English Drama (Girls and Boys)
- Football (Boys)
- Indian Dance (Girls and Boys)
- Malay Dance (Girls and Boys)
- Modern Dance (Girls and Boys)
- Music (Girls and Boys)
- Netball (Girls)
- Volleyball (Girls)
Questions about these schools
How should I choose between St. Margaret's School (Secondary) and Yishun 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: St. Margaret's School (Secondary) 2026 · 8–11; Yishun Secondary School 2026 · 12–20. PG3 · Affiliated: St. Margaret's School (Secondary) 2026 · 10–20; Yishun Secondary School Not listed. PG2 · Non-affiliated: St. Margaret's School (Secondary) 2026 · 21–23; Yishun Secondary School 2026 · 21–24. PG2 · Affiliated: St. Margaret's School (Secondary) 2026 · 21–25; Yishun Secondary School Not listed. PG1 · Non-affiliated: St. Margaret's School (Secondary) 2026 · 25–26; Yishun Secondary School 2026 · 25–27. PG1 · Affiliated: St. Margaret's School (Secondary) 2026 · 25–28; Yishun Secondary School 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.