Our History
Explore how Cedar Girls' Secondary School grew from humble beginnings in 1957 into one of Singapore's top all-girls schools, known for academic excellence, sports and holistic development.
Foundations and Early Years
Cedar Girls’ Secondary School was established in 1957 at its current premises in the Sennett Estate, beginning its journey with a single three-storey classroom block and a pioneering team of just 18 teachers. From these humble beginnings, Cedar quickly gained a reputation for excellence.
A Tradition of Holistic Excellence and Sports Development
By the 1960s, Cedar had already distinguished itself through its strong tradition in track and field. The school produced several outstanding athletes who went on to represent Singapore at the national level, establishing Cedar as a force in school sports.
This commitment to physical excellence and holistic development was further strengthened in 1972, when athletic facilities were constructed within the school compound. Cedar thus became the first school in Singapore to house dedicated sports amenities on campus.
A defining feature of this tradition is Cedar’s iconic track. In 2026, this cherished facility will be rebuilt, made possible through the generous contributions of the Cedar Alumni, parents and other stakeholders. This collective effort reflects the strong bonds within the Cedar community and the enduring support across generations.
Academic Growth and Institutional Milestones
In 1992, Cedar became a single-session school, allowing for a more focused and enriched learning environment. This was followed in 1996 by the award of autonomous status, in recognition of the school’s strong academic outcomes, distinctive programmes and proven ability to design innovative learning experiences. These milestones marked Cedar’s emergence as one of the top all-girls schools in Singapore, known for developing balanced yet brilliant students who excel across multiple domains.
Expanding Pathways through Strategic Partnerships
In 2012, Cedar entered into an alliance with Victoria School and Victoria Junior College, further strengthening its academic pathways and student development opportunities. As a dual-track school offering both the GCE O-Level track and the Integrated Programme (IP), Cedar provides students with multiple pathways to thrive. This flexibility allows each Cedar girl to learn and grow within an educational programme that best suits her strengths, interests and aspirations, while benefiting from a coherent and well-supported six-year educational journey.
Talent Development and Future-Ready Learning
Talent development is a key pillar of Cedar’s educational philosophy. The school offers enriched Talent Development (TD) opportunities across a range of domains, including STEM, the Humanities, the Regional Studies Programme, and Social Innovation. These programmes are designed to stretch high-ability learners, deepen subject mastery, and cultivate intellectual curiosity, critical thinking and leadership.
In line with its commitment to a well-rounded education, Cedar will further expand its TD offerings with the introduction of Art Talent Development in 2026, providing students with structured opportunities to develop creative expression, aesthetic sensitivity and artistic excellence.
A Proud Legacy, A Clear Vision Ahead
Today, Cedar Girls’ Secondary School stands as a proud institution with a rich heritage and a clear future-focused vision. Known for its culture of care, academic excellence and commitment to holistic development, Cedar continues to develop confident, compassionate and capable young women - girls who are balanced yet brilliant, grounded in values, and ready to make a positive difference in Singapore and beyond.
Cedar has been a pioneer in school-based social innovation, incorporating it into the curriculum through the Imagineering Programme and interdisciplinary project work. In 2017, Cedar Girls’ Secondary School launched the Centre for Social Innovation, which served as a nexus for social innovation – to inspire, create and share practices that will nurture mindsets and dispositions towards innovative solutions for social causes.