The 2025 Primary 1 (P1) registration exercise has made one thing crystal clear:
👉 Distance is now the key factor in securing a place at popular schools.
From Phase 2A through 2C, more schools than ever required balloting, and even families living within 1 km of their preferred school had to rely on luck. As parents prepare for 2026 registration (for the 2027 intake), here’s a comprehensive look at the latest trends — and a school-by-school watchlist to guide your strategy.
1. Key Registration Phases & 2026 Dates
Based on the 2025 schedule—which MOE typically maintains year to year—the 2026 registration cycle (for 2027 intake) is likely to follow this timing:
| Phase | Registration Period | Results Released |
|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 | ~1 July – ~3 July 2026 | ~9 July 2026 |
| Phase 2A | ~10 July – ~11 July 2026 | ~18 July 2026 |
| Phase 2B | ~21 July – ~22 July 2026 | ~28 July 2026 |
| Phase 2C | ~29 July – ~31 July 2026 | ~12 August 2026 |
| Phase 2C (Supp.) | ~18 August – ~19 August 2026 | ~28 August 2026 |
📈 What Happened in 2025: Key Trends
Phase 2A (for old boys/girls/alumni) : <1km Families in Ballot
- Pei Hwa Presbyterian, Temasek, South View, Yangzheng escalated into SC <1km balloting — the tightest category possible.
- Catholic High, Nan Hua, Rosyth, Rulang shifted from SC >2km to SC 1–2km balloting.
- Schools like Chongfu, Tao Nan, Fairfield Methodist, Yu Neng introduced balloting for the first time.
Takeaway: Alumni ties and affiliations no longer guarantee a spot without proximity.
Phase 2B: Shrinking Supply, Rising Demand
- Elite schools like Ai Tong, Nanyang, Rosyth, Nan Hua, Henry Park were capped at 20 slots in Phase 2B. Balloting among <1km applicants was almost certain.
- Popular names such as Maha Bodhi, Tao Nan, Kong Hwa, Pei Chun saw fewer vacancies than in 2024, worsening competition.
Takeaway: Volunteering or community links help, but distance trumps affiliation.
Phase 2C: Distance Rules Everything
- Top-tier schools like Henry Park, Red Swastika, Pei Chun, Temasek, Anglo-Chinese (Pri & Jun), Catholic High, Nan Chiau all ended up with SC <1km balloting.
- Example: Henry Park had 93 applicants for 62 places — balloting was required among <1km families.
Takeaway: If you are >1km away, your odds are slim. Even within 1km, balloting is now a reality at elite schools.
📊 P1 Registration 2026 Watchlist (for 2027 Intake)
The 2025 results showed that even traditional advantages (alumni, affiliation, volunteering) were not enough if you lived too far away. In 2026, the guiding rule is:
➡️ Be within 1 km, whether you are registering in Phase 2A, 2B, or 2C.
Here’s the phase-specific watchlist for parents:
🔴 Red Zone – <1 km Balloting Required
These schools required balloting even for families within 1 km in 2025.
Phase 2A:
- Pei Hwa Presbyterian
- Temasek
- South View
- Yangzheng
Phase 2B:
- Ai Tong
- Catholic High
- CHIJ St. Nicholas Girls’
- Nan Hua
- Nanyang
- Rosyth
- Rulang
- Pei Hwa Presbyterian
- Henry Park
Phase 2C:
- Henry Park
- Red Swastika
- Pei Chun Public
- Temasek
- Anglo-Chinese (Primary & Junior)
- Catholic High
- Nan Chiau
- Methodist Girls’
- Holy Innocents’
- CHIJ St. Nicholas
- Nan Hua
- Kong Hwa
- Ai Tong
🟠 Amber Zone – 1–2 km Balloting
These schools were safe within 1 km, but balloting was required for 1–2 km applicants.
Phase 2A:
- Catholic High
- Nan Hua
- Rosyth
- Rulang
Phase 2B:
- St. Joseph’s Institution (Junior)
- Methodist Girls’ (reduced to 20 slots, ballot risk)
Phase 2C:
- Wellington
- Westwood
- Others showing tightening at 1–2 km
🆕 Newly Competitive – First-Time Balloting (2025)
Once “safe bets,” these schools started balloting in 2025. Expect stronger demand in 2026.
Phase 2A:
- Chongfu
- Fairfield Methodist
- Jurong West
- Northland
- Pei Chun Public
- Tanjong Katong
- Tao Nan
- Yu Neng
- Wellington (1–2 km)
- Westwood (1–2 km)
🔑 Strategies for Parents in 2026
- Live within 1 km: Whether you’re applying in 2A (alumni/old boys & girls), 2B (affiliate/volunteer), or 2C (general community), distance now overrides almost everything else.
- Don’t Rely Solely on Affiliation
- Alumni, church, clan, or volunteer links help, but distance decides outcomes in balloting.
- Prepare Multiple Backups
- Shortlist at least 2–3 schools, including a safer “Green Zone” option.
- Track Balloting Trends Closely
- Schools that entered balloting for the first time in 2025 (like Tao Nan, Yu Neng, Pei Chun) are likely to remain competitive in 2026.
- Plan for the 30-Month Stay Rule
- If moving to secure proximity, remember MOE requires you to live at that address for at least 30 months.
✅ Final Word
The 2025 registration results mark a turning point: distance has overtaken affiliation as the decisive factor across all phases. For 2026, parents should assume that only those living within 1 km of elite schools stand a chance — and even then, balloting may be required.
By planning housing early, understanding balloting history, and preparing realistic backups, families can navigate the 2026 P1 registration exercise with greater confidence.