Actually, if the school is attractive (as perceived by the studrnts choosing the schools) enough, he/she will choose to travel the extra distance to the school. I don’t think distance is a great factor nowaday especially when MRT is getting more and more developed. many students with very high scores, for example 270++, who stay in Jurong chose to travel the extra distance to RI in Bishan instead of going to RV instead. But students (I am refering to those that achieve very high score like 265 or 270 and above) staying in Bishan will say that RV is "too far". So actually, it all depends on how attractive the school is. The perception can slowly change. I believe that A level results is one factor that people watch closely.