Bishan Education Options: Parent Guide

This neighbourhood is consistently ranked among Singapore's most family-friendly areas. Beyond parks and amenities, the area offers a rich ecosystem of educational options, from well-regarded primary and secondary schools to preschools, enrichment centres, and tuition providers.

Whether you have just moved here or you are planning your child's education journey, this guide covers what is available.

Primary Schools in the Area

District 20 includes several highly sought-after primary schools:

Kuo Chuan Presbyterian Primary School (KCPPS)

A mission school known for its values-driven culture and well-regarded English programme. KCPPS is the South 7 Cluster's Centre of Excellence for English Language. The school is affiliated with Kuo Chuan Presbyterian Secondary School, giving P6 students priority admission.

Ai Tong School

Located along Ang Mo Kio Ave 5, Ai Tong is popular for its co-curricular programmes. The school's Chinese Dance troupe achieved Distinction at SYF Arts Presentation 2024. Bishan MRT is the nearest station.

Catholic High School (Primary Section)

An all-boys SAP (Special Assistance Plan) school with rigorous academic standards and excellent bilingual education. Located along Bishan Street 22.

First Toa Payoh Primary

Within the broader Toa Payoh vicinity, offering a balanced curriculum with emphasis on character development.

Secondary Schools

Several secondary schools serve the area:

Kuo Chuan Presbyterian Secondary School

Affiliated with KCPPS, offering both IP (Integrated Programme) and O-Level tracks. Clear emphasis on holistic education.

Peirce Secondary School

Located at Sin Ming Walk, easily accessible by MRT. In 2024, 73.9% of Sec 4 Express students qualified for admission to JC/MI (based on the school's published results). Known for Applied Learning programmes.

Whitley Secondary School

Offers Applied Learning programmes with practical, industry-relevant skills alongside academic subjects.

Catholic High School (Secondary)

Highly competitive all-boys school with SAP status. Solid academic results and CCA achievements.

Raffles Institution

One of Singapore's top schools, located nearby. Offers the six-year Integrated Programme.

Preschools

For families with younger children, there are several preschool options:

MindChamps PreSchool

A large 21,000 sq ft centre in the Thomson/Sin Ming area. Offers programmes for children 18 months to 6 years old across playgroup, nursery, and kindergarten levels. Contact the centre directly for current fee schedules.

Star Learners @ Thomson

Part of the NTUC First Campus network, offering quality early childhood education at accessible price points.

My First Skool

Another NTUC-affiliated preschool with emphasis on holistic development and affordable childcare.

Chinese Enrichment & Tuition

Given Singapore's bilingual policy, Chinese enrichment is popular among families here:

HCL Education Centre @ Bishan

Established in 2006 at Blk 283 Bishan St 22. Specialises in Higher Chinese and Chinese tuition from Nursery to Secondary levels. Contact the centre directly for current fee schedules.

Berries

Located at 507 Street 11. One of Singapore's largest Chinese enrichment providers since 1993, with over 20 branches. Known for fun, multi-sensory teaching methods for nursery to primary students.

Le Xue Education

Uses the 3R Method (Recognise, Remember, Read) for Chinese tuition from Nursery 1 to Secondary 4, including O-Level and PSLE preparation.

English Tuition

Kumon

The well-known Japanese franchise offers English programmes covering literacy, reading, writing, and communication skills from preschool through secondary levels.

Student Care

PlayFACTO School

Integrates Positive Education with award-winning STEAM enrichment. Offers after-school care with structured activities in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics.

Academic Tuition (Multi-Subject)

For families seeking comprehensive academic support across multiple subjects, several tuition centres operate in the area:

Large Tuition Chains

Brands like The Learning Lab, Kumon, and Mind Stretcher have presence in the area. These typically offer standardised curricula with larger class sizes.

Small-Group Tuition Centres

Smaller centres like Ancourage Academy (152 Bishan St.11) offer personalised attention with class sizes of 3-6 students. These typically cost more per session but provide more individual attention.

When choosing between large chains and small centres, think about what your child needs. Do they need individual attention or do they thrive in larger groups? Do you want standardised materials or something customised to their gaps? How important is schedule flexibility? And of course, compare per-hour rates versus package deals.

Art & Creative Programmes

Beyond academics, several centres offer art and creative enrichment. Research from the National Arts Council shows arts education develops critical thinking and creativity alongside academic skills:

Art by Ancourage

Located at 152 Street 11, Art by Ancourage is the art arm of Ancourage Academy. Offers programmes from Crafty Corner (ages 3-5) to professional portfolio preparation for DSA applications. Unique for combining academic tuition and art under one roof.

Community Centres

The local community club offers various enrichment classes including art, music, and sports at subsidised rates.

How to Choose the Right Option

With so many choices, think through these questions before deciding:

For Preschool

• Visit during operating hours to observe classroom dynamics
• Ask about teacher-to-child ratios
• Consider proximity to home and pick-up logistics
• Check for ECDA accreditation

For Primary School

• Register within 1km of your preferred school if possible
• Consider affiliation benefits (KCPPS → KCPSS)
• Research CCA offerings that match your child's interests
• Attend school open houses

For Tuition & Enrichment

• Try before committing (most centres offer trial classes)
• Ask about class sizes and teaching methodology
• Check if tutors understand your child's school syllabus
• Avoid centres that require long-term contracts upfront
• Look for MOE registration (for tuition centres)

Our Perspective

At Ancourage Academy, we have taught students from many local schools: KCPPS, Ai Tong, Catholic High, Peirce Secondary, and others. Each school has different pacing and expectations, and we adapt our teaching accordingly.

What we have observed:

• SAP school students often need support balancing Higher Chinese with other subjects
• IP track students face different pressures than O-Level students
• Primary 6 students benefit from structured PSLE preparation starting in P5
• Many students struggle not because they cannot learn, but because they have lost confidence

If you are exploring tuition options in the area, we offer trial lessons with no obligation. Come see if our small-group approach works for your child.

Resources

For more information:

• MOE School Finder: Search schools by distance and programmes at moe.gov.sg/schoolfinder
• ECDA (SPARK): Check preschool accreditation via ECDA SPARK
• Our Bishan Location: 152 Bishan St.11, #01-215, 2nd Floor, Singapore 570152 (10 min from Bishan MRT)

What works for your P3 might not work in P5. Stay flexible, keep talking to your child, and do not hesitate to change course when something is not clicking.

Common Questions About Bishan Schools

Which primary schools have the best PSLE results in Bishan?

Catholic High (Primary) and Ai Tong consistently rank among top performers. However, "best" depends on your child's learning style — KCPPS excels in English, while Catholic High emphasises bilingual education.

How do I register for primary school in Bishan?

Registration follows MOE's Primary One Registration framework. Living within 1km of your preferred school significantly improves admission chances. Check MOE School Finder for distance calculations.

What is the difference between tuition chains and small centres?

Large chains offer standardised curricula with larger class sizes. Small centres like Ancourage Academy cap classes at 3-6 students for personalised attention. The trade-off is typically cost versus individual focus.

And if you are still unsure? Start with a trial class somewhere. You will learn more in one session than from any amount of research.