Ai Tong School is the only primary school within 1km of Thomson Reserve: about 480–520 metres from the blocks at Bright Hill Drive. Three more primary schools fall in the 1–2km band: Catholic High School (Primary), Ang Mo Kio Primary and CHIJ St. Nicholas Girls' School. Ai Tong is not among the 12 schools losing 1km priority under the Primary 1 changes MOE announced in September 2026.
For many families, the school map decides the address. Here is what the distances look like for each block, how the 1km and 2km rules work, and what the 2027 registration changes mean for buyers. Schools are one reason Upper Thomson has become so popular with families, a story we trace in Upper Thomson's 100-year transformation.
Which primary schools are near Thomson Reserve?
We measured the straight-line distance from each of the six block addresses (1, 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11 Bright Hill Drive) to each school using coordinates from OneMap, Singapore's official map. The range shows the nearest and farthest block.
| Primary school | Distance from blocks | Band |
|---|---|---|
| Ai Tong School | ~480–520 m | Within 1km |
| Catholic High School (Primary) | ~1.5–1.8 km | 1–2km |
| Ang Mo Kio Primary School | ~1.7 km | 1–2km |
| CHIJ St. Nicholas Girls' School | ~1.8–1.9 km | 1–2km |
| Marymount Convent School | ~2.0–2.3 km | Around 2km, check by block |
| Teck Ghee Primary School | ~2.4–2.6 km | Beyond 2km |
| Townsville Primary School | ~2.5–2.7 km | Beyond 2km |
| Mayflower Primary School | ~2.6 km | Beyond 2km |
| Kuo Chuan Presbyterian Primary School | ~2.7–2.9 km | Beyond 2km |
Indicative straight-line distances from OneMap coordinates, measured 7 October 2026. MOE uses its own official home-school distance for registration, so always confirm the band for your exact address on MOE's School Finder before you buy.
The Ai Tong result is consistent across the site: even the farthest block (3 Bright Hill Drive) is roughly half a kilometre away, leaving a wide margin inside 1km. Blocks 9 and 11 are the closest. Marymount Convent is the one to check carefully. Every block measures just over 2km by our calculation (about 2.0km from Block 1 to 2.3km from Block 7), so the official figure for each address matters.
For older children, Peirce Secondary School is about 1.0–1.2km away, and Catholic High's secondary section is in the same Bishan campus as its primary school.
How do the 1km and 2km rules work?
In Primary 1 registration, distance only matters when a phase is oversubscribed. When it is, the Ministry of Education gives priority in this order:
- Singapore Citizens living within 1km
- Singapore Citizens living 1–2km away
- Singapore Citizens living beyond 2km
- Permanent Residents in the same three distance bands
So a Citizen family at Thomson Reserve would sit in the top priority group for Ai Tong School in Phase 2C, and in the second group for the three schools in the 1–2km band.
What changes from the 2027 P1 registration exercise?
On 10 September 2026, MOE announced two changes taking effect from the 2027 exercise, as reported by Mothership:
- More places in Phase 2C. The places reserved for children with no prior connection to a school rise from 40 to 60 at most schools (except those with a P1 intake under 180).
- A two-track Phase 2C at 12 schools. At schools such as Nanyang Primary, Raffles Girls' Primary, Methodist Girls' (Primary) and both ACS primary schools, Phase 2C places are split equally between families within 2km and beyond 2km, with no 1km priority in either track.
Ai Tong School is not on that list of 12. On the published rules, living within 1km of Ai Tong keeps its value. Combined with more Phase 2C places overall, that is good news for families who move in without alumni or sibling links.
The 30-month rule and timing for a new launch
Distance priority comes with a condition. Families must live at the address used for registration for at least 30 months. For a newly built home, MOE counts the 30 months from when the family moves in. If you fail to meet the requirement, MOE may transfer your child to another school with vacancies.
Thomson Reserve's completion is expected around 2032. That fits families whose children are young today. A child born in 2026 would usually register for Primary 1 in 2032 and start school in 2033. Before relying on any address, check that your expected move-in date fits the registration year. Developers can only give estimated completion dates.
Beyond school: what families get at Bright Hill Drive
- Transport: Upper Thomson MRT (TE8) is a short walk from the blocks, with Bright Hill (TE7) also nearby, giving direct Thomson-East Coast Line trips to Orchard and the city. Our article on the TEL effect covers what the line changed.
- Everyday amenities: Thomson Plaza is a few minutes' walk away, and Junction 8 in Bishan is about 2km away.
- Green space: MacRitchie Reservoir and the Central Catchment Nature Reserve are on the doorstep, and Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park is about 1km away.
- Room to grow: 3BR Premium (1,055 sqft) and 3BR Premium + Study (1,152 sqft) layouts suit growing families. See the full range on our floor plans page.
Schools, MRT and greenery together are why we think Upper Thomson is one of the strongest family addresses in Singapore, as we argue in why Upper Thomson stands out for the next decade.
Frequently asked questions
Is Thomson Reserve within 1km of Ai Tong School?
Yes. By straight-line distance on OneMap, all six blocks are about 480 to 520 metres from Ai Tong School. Confirm the official home-school distance for your exact address on MOE's School Finder.
Which primary schools are within 2km of Thomson Reserve?
Ai Tong School is within 1km. Catholic High School (Primary), Ang Mo Kio Primary School and CHIJ St. Nicholas Girls' School are about 1.5 to 1.9km away. Marymount Convent School is just over 2km.
Does the 2027 P1 change remove the 1km priority for Ai Tong School?
No. The two-track Phase 2C scheme without 1km priority applies to 12 named schools, and Ai Tong School is not one of them.
How long must I live at Thomson Reserve to use it for P1 priority?
At least 30 months. For a new property, MOE counts the 30 months from when your family moves in.
Planning around a school? Get priority access to Thomson Reserve.
Register for priority floor plans, the estimated price list and the VVIP preview invitation.
REGISTER INTEREST →