When Singaporean parents think of elite primary schools, names like ACS, Nanyang, St. Nicholas Girls’, MGS, and Catholic High immediately come to mind. These schools have brand prestige, Special Assistance Plan (SAP) status, and strong affiliations.
But there’s one non-SAP, non-affiliated school quietly making waves in the west: Princess Elizabeth Primary School (PEPS).
Despite lacking the elite labels, PEPS has been ranked #1 Oversubscribed every year in 2024, 2023 and 2022 in Phase 2C, requiring balloting even for Singapore Citizens (SC) living within 1km. That’s a big deal—and here’s the data to prove it:
⚖️ Balloting History (Phase 2C)
| Year | Vacancies | Applicants | Ballot Required | SC <1km Success Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 41 | 270 | ✅ SC <1km | 1 in 6.6 |
| 2023 | 48 | 283 | ✅ SC <1km | 1 in 5.9 |
| 2022 | 55 | 278 | ✅ SC <1km | 1 in 5.1 |
This means even families living across the street may not get a place—PEPS is as competitive as some of the most prestigious schools in Singapore.
Why Princess Elizabeth Primary School (PEPS) Is Booming: The BTO & Young Family Effect
The key driver? BTO projects and young parents prioritizing proximity over prestige.
The BTO Boom = A Surge in Young Families
The Jurong West-Bukit Batok-Tengah corridor has become a hotspot for new BTO developments, attracting thousands of young couples starting families. With these projects come hundreds of Primary 1 applicants competing for limited school slots.
🏢 BTO Projects Near PEPS
| BTO Project | <1km to PEPS | Est. Units | Other Nearby Schools (within 2km) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plantation Acres | ✅ Yes | ~1,193 | Jurong Primary, St. Anthony’s, Dazhong |
| Plantation Grove | ⚠️ Some blocks | ~1,140 | Jurong Primary, St. Anthony’s, Dazhong, Bukit View |
| West Edge @ B. Batok | ⚠️ Some blocks | ~1,400 | Bukit View, Lianhua, St. Anthony’s |
| Sky Vista @ B. Batok | ✅ Yes | ~700 | Bukit View, Jurong Primary, St. Anthony’s |
With over 4,000 new homes in proximity, it’s no surprise that PEPS is oversubscribed.
How about other Schools Are Nearby for these residences (within 1km)?
Answer : None!
| BTO Project | Distance to PEPS | Est. Units | Competing Schools Within 1km? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plantation Acres (Tengah) | ✅ <1km | ~1,193 | ❌ (Only PEPS & Bukit View for some blocks) |
| Sky Vista @ Bukit Batok | ✅ <1km | ~700 | ❌ |
| West Edge @ Bukit Batok | ⚠️ Some blocks <1km | ~1,400 | ❌ (Bukit View for some) |
| Plantation Grove (Tengah) | ⚠️ Partial <1km | ~1,140 | ❌ |
Many parents consider nearby schools as alternatives, but PEPS is the only one in this cluster within 1km of itself. Here’s how others compare:
| School | Distance from PEPS | Within 1km of PEPS? |
|---|---|---|
| Jurong Primary | ~1.2 km | ❌ No |
| St. Anthony’s | ~1.4 km | ❌ No |
| Dazhong Primary | ~1.6 km | ❌ No |
| Bukit View | ~0.9 km | ✅ Yes |
So even if you’re considering alternative schools, PEPS remains the only highly rated school within the golden 1km circle for most of these BTOs.
How to Increase Your Chances: The Parent Volunteer (PV) Route (Phase 2B)
Since Phase 2C is becoming a lottery, many parents are turning to Phase 2B by becoming Parent Volunteers (PVs).
PEPS PV Statistics (2022-2024)
| Year | PV Slots | Applicants | Ballot Needed? |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 20 | 22 | ✅ Yes (SC > 2) |
| 2023 | 20 | 12 | ❌ No |
| 2022 | 20 | 5 | ❌ No |
Demand for PV slots is rising fast (from 5 to 22 applicants in 3 years).
Final Thoughts: The “Neighbourhood School” That’s No Longer Just That
Princess Elizabeth Primary School is proof that academic reputation, school culture, and parent trust are as powerful—if not more—than elite status or affiliation. It’s no wonder PEPS has become a top contender in the west despite being a “normal” government school.
If you’re considering settling near PEPS, plan early—and consider your BTO and distance carefully. Balloting isn’t just for elite schools anymore.