Updated September 2026. Primary 1 rules, phases and vacancies change. Check the current MOE exercise before making a housing decision.
Distance can affect priority, but it does not guarantee admission
MOE conducts Primary 1 registration in phases. Where balloting is required within a phase, home-to-school distance can affect priority. The current categories and procedures are set out in MOE's registration guidance. A nearby address does not remove competition from other eligible applicants.
Verify the address and commitment
Use MOE's official distance checker and read the rules governing the address used for registration. Families relying on distance priority must understand the applicable residence requirements and should not use an address where the child does not live.
Do not price a home on one school alone
- Check the child's eligible registration phase and citizenship category.
- Review recent vacancies and balloting history without treating it as a forecast.
- Confirm the measured distance for the exact address.
- Keep alternative schools and routes in the plan.
- Assess the home on budget, commute, layout and long-term household fit.
School proximity may influence some buyers, but it does not create a fixed property premium. Registration policy, school demand and household needs can change during the holding period.