School MattersBukit Merah Secondary School vs Hougang Secondary School
Compare recorded PSLE entry ranges, CCAs, DSA programmes and location, with intake years shown alongside the data.
At a glance
| Compare | Bukit Merah Secondary School | Hougang Secondary School |
|---|---|---|
| School type | Co-Ed School | Co-Ed School |
| Level | Secondary (S1-S4) | Secondary (S1-S4) |
| School tags | Not listed | Not listed |
| Zone | South | North |
| Address | 10 Lengkok Bahru | 2 Hougang Street 93 |
| Nearest MRT | Redhill | Hougang, Buangkok |
| Listed CCAs | 13 | 19 |
| DSA listings | 4 | 11 |
Differences to explore
- CCA
- The records share 3 CCA listings. Bukit Merah Secondary School also lists Audio Visual Aid (Girls and Boys), Basketball (Girls and Boys), English Drama (Girls and Boys), Entrepreneurship (Girls and Boys) and more, which do not appear in the other school's records. Hougang Secondary School also lists Angklung/kulintang Ensemble (Girls and Boys), Basketball (Boys), Boys' Brigade (Boys), Choir (Girls and Boys) and more, which do not appear in the other school's records. Listings may be incomplete; confirm availability with each school.
- DSA programme
- The records share 2 DSA programme listings. Bukit Merah Secondary School also lists Basketball (Girls and Boys), Tchoukball (Girls and Boys), which do not appear in the other school's records. Hougang Secondary School also lists Angklung/Kulintang Ensemble (Girls and Boys), Debating (Girls and Boys), English Drama (Girls and Boys), Football (Boys) and more, which do not appear in the other school's records. Listings may be incomplete; confirm availability with each school.
- The daily journey
- Nearby MRT stations listed for Bukit Merah Secondary School: Redhill; for Hougang Secondary School: Hougang, Buangkok. Compare the full journey from home, including transfers and the walk to school.
Recorded entry ranges
| Compare | Bukit Merah Secondary School | Hougang Secondary School |
|---|---|---|
| PG3 · Non-affiliated | 2026 · 8–22 | 2026 · 14–20 |
| PG2 · Non-affiliated | 2026 · 22–25 | 2026 · 21–24 |
| PG1 · Non-affiliated | 2026 · 25–28 | 2026 · 25–27 |
Each range belongs to the intake year and programme shown. Affiliated and non-affiliated ranges are separate. D, M and P are Higher Mother Tongue requirements. Past ranges do not guarantee admission.
Get to know each school
Bukit Merah Secondary School
Bukit Merah Secondary was established in 1968 at 10 Lengkok Bahru with English- and Chinese-medium classes. It became English-medium in 1984. MOE’s heritage history records mergers with Saint Thomas in 2001, Delta in 2004 and Henderson in 2017, and a temporary stay at Raeburn Park before returning in March 2003. The school marked its 50th anniversary in 2018. Its history therefore includes several former communities, alongside the floorball and robotics programmes now described on the school’s own pages.
Creative Robotics and Engineering is a two-year ALP for Secondary 1 and 2. The first year introduces AI and machine learning through Micro:bit coding tasks involving visual and vocal recognition. The second uses group design and prototypes to address simulated real-life problems. A separate tier, anchored by the Engineering and Innovation Club, serves pupils with greater interest or aptitude and offers competition opportunities. The common programme and that additional CCA tier are different commitments, even though both use coding and engineering.
Hougang Secondary School
Hougang Secondary began at Lowland Road in 2001, moved to Hougang Street 93 that December and was officially opened in 2003. Its history page still describes an earlier communication-focused ALP, including broadcasting and debate. The current programme page instead sets out the STEM ALP, HS Innovates, For Life! Likewise, the current LLP and 2026 handbook use the GREAT values framework. The older history account is useful for origins, but should not be treated as a complete description of today’s programmes.
All Secondary 1 pupils have Code for Fun and a design-thinking cohort programme. Secondary 2 adds AI for Fun and Internet of Things devices, while Computing is an upper-secondary subject option. STEM Leaders have additional activities, including sustainable growing from 2025. The page separately records a seven-month 2024 project involving 50 selected Secondary 2–3 pupils from several leadership groups, working with DesignSingapore Council and Bold@Work on neighbourhood health-related needs. That selected project is distinct from the core lessons and is not a universal annual entitlement.
CCAs and programmes
Bukit Merah Secondary School
- Audio Visual Aid (Girls and Boys)
- Basketball (Girls and Boys)
- Concert Band (Girls and Boys)
- English Drama (Girls and Boys)
- Entrepreneurship (Girls and Boys)
- Floorball (Girls and Boys)
- Infocomm Technology (Media Production) (Girls and Boys)
- Modern Dance (Girls and Boys)
- National Cadet Corps (NCC) (Land) (Girls and Boys)
- Robotics (Girls and Boys)
- Scouts (Girls and Boys)
- St John Brigade (Girls and Boys)
- Tchoukball (Girls and Boys)
Hougang Secondary School
- Angklung/kulintang Ensemble (Girls and Boys)
- Basketball (Boys)
- Boys' Brigade (Boys)
- Choir (Girls and Boys)
- Concert Band (Girls and Boys)
- Floorball (Girls and Boys)
- Football (Boys)
- Girl Guides (Girls)
- Girls' Brigade (Girls)
- Guzheng Ensemble (Girls and Boys)
- Infocomm Technology (Media Production) (Girls and Boys)
- Judo (Girls and Boys)
- Modern Dance (Girls)
- National Cadet Corps (NCC) (Land) (Boys)
- National Police Cadet Corps (NPCC) (Girls and Boys)
- Netball (Girls)
- Red Cross Youth (Girls and Boys)
- Speech and Drama (Girls and Boys)
- Wushu (Girls and Boys)
Listed DSA programmes at Bukit Merah Secondary School
- Basketball (Girls and Boys)
- Floorball (Girls and Boys)
- Stem (Girls and Boys)
- Tchoukball (Girls and Boys)
Listed DSA programmes at Hougang Secondary School
- Angklung/Kulintang Ensemble (Girls and Boys)
- Debating (Girls and Boys)
- English Drama (Girls and Boys)
- Floorball (Girls and Boys)
- Football (Boys)
- Guzheng Ensemble (Girls and Boys)
- Judo (Girls and Boys)
- Leadership (Girls and Boys)
- Modern Dance (Girls)
- Netball (Girls)
- Stem (Girls and Boys)
Questions about these schools
How should I choose between Bukit Merah Secondary School and Hougang Secondary School?
Start with programmes, the CCAs your child wants and the actual journey from home. Visit both schools to assess the daily environment. Counts and past results alone do not establish which school fits your child.
How do their recorded PSLE entry ranges compare?
PG3 · Non-affiliated: Bukit Merah Secondary School 2026 · 8–22; Hougang Secondary School 2026 · 14–20. PG2 · Non-affiliated: Bukit Merah Secondary School 2026 · 22–25; Hougang Secondary School 2026 · 21–24. PG1 · Non-affiliated: Bukit Merah Secondary School 2026 · 25–28; Hougang Secondary School 2026 · 25–27.
Do past admission records guarantee a place?
No. Ranges belong to the intake year and programme shown and can change. Keep affiliated and non-affiliated ranges separate and retain any D, M or P Higher Mother Tongue suffix.