School MattersSt. Patrick's School vs Xinmin Secondary School
Compare recorded PSLE entry ranges, CCAs, DSA programmes and location, with intake years shown alongside the data.
At a glance
| Compare | St. Patrick's School | Xinmin Secondary School |
|---|---|---|
| School type | Boys' School | Co-Ed School |
| Level | Secondary (S1-S4) | Secondary (S1-S4) |
| School tags | Not listed | Autonomous |
| Zone | East | North |
| Address | 490 East Coast Road | 11 Hougang Avenue 8 |
| Nearest MRT | Marine Terrace | Hougang |
| Listed CCAs | 18 | 19 |
| DSA listings | 17 | 14 |
Differences to explore
- CCA
- The records share 2 CCA listings. 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. Xinmin Secondary School also lists Art and Crafts (Girls and Boys), Badminton (Girls), Boys' Brigade (Boys), Chinese Dance (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. 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. Xinmin Secondary School also lists Badminton (Girls), Boys' Brigade (Boys), Chinese Dance (Girls), 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.
- The daily journey
- Nearby MRT stations listed for St. Patrick's School: Marine Terrace; for Xinmin Secondary School: Hougang. Compare the full journey from home, including transfers and the walk to school.
Recorded entry ranges
| Compare | St. Patrick's School | Xinmin Secondary School |
|---|---|---|
| PG3 · Non-affiliated | 2026 · 11 | 2026 · 8–13 |
| PG3 · Affiliated | 2026 · 13–20 | Not listed |
| PG2 · Non-affiliated | 2026 · 21–22 | 2026 · 21–23 |
| PG2 · Affiliated | 2026 · 21–25 | Not listed |
| PG1 · Non-affiliated | 2026 · 25–27 | 2026 · 25–28 |
| 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. 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.
Xinmin Secondary School
Xinmin began as Sin Min School on 1 November 1945, initially teaching primary pupils. Its founders rented three bungalows after Yap Fun Hong sold five pigs to help fund education for the Hougang-Serangoon community. Secondary classes began in 1956, and performances helped raise money for facilities in 1958. MOE’s heritage record dates autonomous status to 2001 and the Creative Arts Complex to 2015. Its 80th anniversary was in 2025. These are historical milestones; earlier examination bands or rankings do not establish a current teaching-quality ranking.
MAKERS@Xinmin combines digital and analogue making across a specially designed two-year lower-secondary curriculum. All pupils in those years learn about AI applications and ethics, and design and prototype solutions to real problems. Examples include sustainability models using AI, eco-themed games and environmental-data analysis, with workshops, pop-up sessions and showcases. This is broader than a coding club for selected enthusiasts. Ask what the child will build, how teachers supervise tool use and how a pupil with little coding experience is helped to contribute within a group.
CCAs and programmes
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)
Xinmin Secondary School
- Art and Crafts (Girls and Boys)
- Badminton (Girls)
- Boys' Brigade (Boys)
- Chinese Dance (Girls)
- Choir (Girls and Boys)
- Concert Band (Girls and Boys)
- Cross Country (Girls and Boys)
- Debating and Public Speaking (Girls and Boys)
- English Drama (Girls and Boys)
- Floorball (Boys)
- Girls' Brigade (Girls)
- Guzheng Ensemble (Girls and Boys)
- Infocomm Technology (Media Production) (Girls and Boys)
- National Cadet Corps (NCC) (Land) (Boys)
- Rockwall Climbing (Girls and Boys)
- Shooting (Girls and Boys)
- St John Brigade (Girls and Boys)
- Students' Council (Girls and Boys)
- Volleyball (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)
Listed DSA programmes at Xinmin Secondary School
- Badminton (Girls)
- Boys' Brigade (Boys)
- Chinese Dance (Girls)
- Choir (Girls and Boys)
- Concert Band (Girls and Boys)
- Cross Country (Girls and Boys)
- English Drama (Girls and Boys)
- Floorball (Boys)
- Girls' Brigade (Girls)
- Guzheng Ensemble (Girls and Boys)
- Rockwall Climbing (Girls and Boys)
- Shooting (Girls and Boys)
- St John Brigade (Girls and Boys)
- Volleyball (Girls and Boys)
Questions about these schools
How should I choose between St. Patrick's School and Xinmin 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. Patrick's School 2026 · 11; Xinmin Secondary School 2026 · 8–13. PG3 · Affiliated: St. Patrick's School 2026 · 13–20; Xinmin Secondary School Not listed. PG2 · Non-affiliated: St. Patrick's School 2026 · 21–22; Xinmin Secondary School 2026 · 21–23. PG2 · Affiliated: St. Patrick's School 2026 · 21–25; Xinmin Secondary School Not listed. PG1 · Non-affiliated: St. Patrick's School 2026 · 25–27; Xinmin Secondary School 2026 · 25–28. PG1 · Affiliated: St. Patrick's School 2026 · 25–28; Xinmin 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.