Updated July 17, 2025 to clarify relocation concerns, sibling entry policies post-2030, and balloting rules.
The Anglo-Chinese School (ACS) family has long been a pillar of excellence in Singapore’s education system. But with recent developments — including a major revamp of the Gifted Education Programme (GEP), ACS Primary’s relocation to Tengah, and its transition to a co-educational (co-ed) model from 2030 onwards — the criteria for choosing between ACS Primary and ACS Junior have significantly shifted.
These changes impact everything from school location to gender eligibility, making it essential for parents to reassess which ACS option best suits their family’s needs.
🚫 The GEP Factor: No Longer Relevant
Previously, ACS Primary stood out because it hosted the GEP — a draw for high-ability learners. However, starting from 2025, ACS Primary will no longer be a GEP centre.
MOE is now rolling out school-based high-ability programmes across all primary schools, benefiting about 10% of students per cohort. These are supported by optional after-school enrichment modules — not just at traditional GEP schools, but across a wider network.
Bottom line: GEP is no longer a deciding factor between ACS Primary and ACS Junior.
🧭 Two Key Questions to Ask Yourself
Question 1. Are you comfortable with the new Tengah campus from 2030?
📌 Key Dates
- 2023: Relocation plan announced
- 2030: First Primary 1 cohort admitted to Tengah campus
- 2030–2032: Only younger brothers of existing ACS Primary (Barker Road) pupils can enter Barker Road campus
- 2033: All new Primary 1 admissions go to Tengah. Pupils at Barker consolidate with ACS Junior
- 2039: Both schools merge operations at Barker Road. ACS Junior moves over
📝 Note: These dates are tentative and depend on the readiness of new campuses.
If your son enters ACS Primary before 2030, he will complete all six years at Barker Road — no relocation required.
From 2030 to 2032, younger brothers of existing students may still enter Barker Road. These pupils will later continue as part of ACS Junior after the schools consolidate.
From 2033 onwards, new P1 intakes will start at Tengah. Families living in the west will benefit most from this change.
👉 If you’re open to enrolling in Tengah (or already living nearby), ACS Primary remains a strong option. If you prefer to remain near Barker Road, ACS Junior offers continuity.
Question 2. Do you have a daughter who may join in the future?
From 2030, ACS Primary (Tengah) will become co-educational.
- ACS Primary (Tengah): Boys & girls (from 2030)
- ACS Junior: Boys only
👉 If you want your daughter in the ACS family, ACS Primary (Tengah) is the only option.
🏫 A Quick Comparison
| Factor | ACS Primary | ACS Junior |
|---|---|---|
| Location (Post-2030) | Tengah | Barker Road (until 2039) |
| Gender | Boys & girls (from 2030) | Boys only |
| GEP Status | No longer applicable | No longer applicable |
📊 ACS (Primary) vs ACS (Junior): P1 Registration (2022–2024)
Format: Applicants / Vacancies → Balloting condition
(e.g. 55 / 28 → SC<1km means ballot required even for SCs living <1 km)
🔹 Phase 1 – Sibling Priority
| Year | ACS Primary | ACS Junior |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 62 / 180 → All in | 78 / 210 → All in |
| 2023 | 56 / 180 → All in | 76 / 210 → All in |
| 2024 | 73 / 180 → All in | 75 / 210 → All in |
Insight: Both schools admit all siblings; no balloting. ACS(J) usually has more sibling applicants, except in 2024 (possibly due to relocation plans).
🔹 Phase 2A – Alumni / Staff
| Year | ACS Primary | ACS Junior |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 95 / 118 → All in | 112 / 132 → All in |
| 2023 | 106 / 124 → All in | 101 / 134 → All in |
| 2024 | 80 / 108 → All in | 102 / 135 → All in |
Insight: No balloting in any year. ACS(J) consistently shows strong alumni demand.
🔹 Phase 2B – Volunteers, Church, Clan
| Year | ACS Primary | ACS Junior |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 55 / 28 → SC<1km | 57 / 27 → SC<1km |
| 2023 | 51 / 26 → SC<1km | 52 / 31 → SC<1km |
| 2024 | 34 / 29 → SC<1km | 50 / 31 → SC<1km |
Insight: Always oversubscribed, with balloting required for SC <1 km. Both schools are equally tough; ACS(P) demand dipped slightly in 2024 but still required balloting.
🔹 Phase 2C – General SC/PR Applicants
| Year | ACS Primary | ACS Junior |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 69 / 55 → SC<1km | 69 / 53 → SC<1km |
| 2023 | 68 / 53 → SC<1km | 79 / 62 → SC<1km |
| 2024 | 74 / 59 → SC>2km | 76 / 63 → SC 1–2km |
Corrected Insight:
- 2024 ACS Primary: Only SC >2 km needed to ballot. SCs <1 km and 1–2 km got in without balloting.
- 2024 ACS Junior: SC 1–2 km needed to ballot. SCs <1 km got in without balloting.
👉 Ballot at SC <1 km = tightest. Ballot at SC 1–2 km = slightly less tight. Ballot at SC >2 km = comparatively looser.
📌 Summary of Key Differences
| Feature | ACS Primary | ACS Junior |
|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 demand | Lower (except 2024) | Higher most years |
| Phase 2A demand | Lower in 2024 | More stable, higher |
| Phase 2B odds | Slightly better in 2024 | Tough every year |
| Phase 2C odds | 2024: Ballot at SC >2 km (families within 2 km safe) | 2024: Ballot at SC 1–2 km (tougher for 1–2 km; <1 km safe) |
🔮 Conclusion: Which Has Better Odds?
- Phases 1 & 2A: Safe at both, but ACS(J) shows stronger alumni/sibling demand.
- Phase 2B: Equally tough; very few vacancies.
- Phase 2C (2024): ACS Junior was tougher (ballot at SC 1–2 km). ACS Primary was less tight (ballot only for SC >2 km, with those <2 km safely admitted).
Net-Net:
- If you live within 2 km, ACS Primary had better odds in 2024.
- If you’re >2 km, both schools are very competitive, with ACS(J) traditionally steadier in demand.
✅ Final Takeaway
Choosing between ACS Primary and ACS Junior now comes down to just two factors:
- Location & Relocation: Are you willing to enrol at Tengah from 2030, or do you prefer to stay near Barker?
- Gender: Do you have a daughter you want in ACS? Only ACS Primary (Tengah) will admit girls.
Both schools are excellent. With GEP no longer a factor, your decision hinges on distance, relocation, and family planning.
📌 How to Read Balloting Labels
MOE allocates Phase 2B/2C vacancies in this order:
- SC < 1 km → Singapore Citizens living within 1 km get absolute priority. If oversubscribed, balloting happens here.
- SC 1–2 km → If places remain, they go to SCs living 1–2 km away. Balloting applies only if oversubscribed at this band.
- SC > 2 km → If places remain, they go to SCs living beyond 2 km. Balloting applies only if oversubscribed here.
- PRs → Considered only after all Singapore Citizens have been placed by distance.
👉 Rule of thumb: A ballot at SC < 1 km = tightest odds. SC 1–2 km = tough, but slightly better. SC > 2 km = comparatively looser, since those nearer already secured seats.