School MattersBukit Merah Secondary School vs Raffles Institution
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 | Raffles Institution |
|---|---|---|
| School type | Co-Ed School | Co-Ed School |
| Level | Secondary (S1-S4) | Secondary (S1-S4) |
| School tags | Not listed | IP |
| Zone | South | South |
| Address | 10 Lengkok Bahru | 1 Raffles Institution Lane |
| Nearest MRT | Redhill | Bishan, Marymount |
| Listed CCAs | 13 | 39 |
| DSA listings | 4 | 25 |
Differences to explore
- CCA
- The records share 0 CCA listings. Bukit Merah Secondary School also lists Audio Visual Aid (Girls and Boys), Basketball (Girls and Boys), Concert Band (Girls and Boys), English Drama (Girls and Boys) and more, which do not appear in the other school's records. Raffles Institution also lists Badminton (Boys), Basketball (Boys), Boys' Brigade (Boys), Chinese Orchestra (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 0 DSA programme listings. Bukit Merah Secondary School also lists Basketball (Girls and Boys), Floorball (Girls and Boys), Stem (Girls and Boys), Tchoukball (Girls and Boys), which do not appear in the other school's records. Raffles Institution also lists Badminton (Boys) - IP, Basketball (Boys) - IP, Chinese Orchestra (Boys) - IP, Choir (Boys) - IP and more, which do not appear in the other school's records. Listings may be incomplete; confirm availability with each school.
- Programme tags
- Bukit Merah Secondary School: no IP or SAP tag listed; Raffles Institution: IP. Check the specific programme your child would enter.
- The daily journey
- Nearby MRT stations listed for Bukit Merah Secondary School: Redhill; for Raffles Institution: Bishan, Marymount. Compare the full journey from home, including transfers and the walk to school.
Recorded entry ranges
| Compare | Bukit Merah Secondary School | Raffles Institution |
|---|---|---|
| IP · Non-affiliated | Not listed | 2026 · 4–6 |
| PG3 · Non-affiliated | 2026 · 8–22 | Not listed |
| PG2 · Non-affiliated | 2026 · 22–25 | Not listed |
| PG1 · Non-affiliated | 2026 · 25–28 | Not listed |
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.
Raffles Institution
RI was founded as Singapore Institution in 1823. Its move from Bras Basah to Grange Road came in 1972, followed by Bishan and independent status in 1990. Raffles Junior College was established in 1982 to take over pre-university enrolment and reintegrated with RI in 2009. MOE’s history dates the six-year Raffles Programme, leading to A Levels, to 2004. Families researching Year 1 should distinguish Years 1–4 provision from Years 5–6 activities and accounts; both now appear under the RI name.
The Years 1–4 history page describes historical inquiry, projects, learning journeys and engagement with experts and the wider community, alongside learning how historians construct arguments. Character and Leadership Education uses lessons and assemblies to develop values and social-emotional skills, with cohort and class community projects. These describe approaches and platforms rather than a fixed list of trips for every pupil. Families can ask what inquiry assignments require, how independent work is scaffolded and how community projects fit the ordinary academic timetable.
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)
Raffles Institution
- Badminton (Boys)
- Basketball (Boys)
- Boys' Brigade (Boys)
- Chinese Orchestra (Boys)
- Choir (Boys)
- Community Service (Rotary-Sponsored) (Boys)
- Concert Band (Boys)
- Cricket (Boys)
- Cross Country (Boys)
- Debating and Public Speaking (Boys)
- English Drama (Boys)
- Environmental Science (Boys)
- Fencing (Boys)
- Floorball (Boys)
- Football (Boys)
- Heritage (Boys)
- Hockey (Boys)
- Infocomm Technology (Computing) (Boys)
- International Chess (Boys)
- Judo (Boys)
- Mathematics (Boys)
- National Cadet Corps (NCC) (Land) (Boys)
- National Police Cadet Corps (NPCC) (Boys)
- Photography (Boys)
- Physical Science (Boys)
- Publication (Boys)
- Red Cross Youth (Boys)
- Rugby (Boys)
- Sailing (Boys)
- Scouts (Boys)
- Shooting (Boys)
- Softball (Boys)
- Squash (Boys)
- String Ensemble (Boys)
- Swimming (Boys)
- Table Tennis (Boys)
- Tennis (Boys)
- Track and Field (Boys)
- Water Polo (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 Raffles Institution
- Badminton (Boys) - IP
- Basketball (Boys) - IP
- Chinese Orchestra (Boys) - IP
- Choir (Boys) - IP
- Communication (Boys) - IP
- Concert Band (Boys) - IP
- Cricket (Boys) - IP
- Cross Country (Boys) - IP
- Hockey (Boys) - IP
- Leadership and Character (Boys) - IP
- Malay Language (Boys) - IP
- Mathematics (Boys) - IP
- Music (Boys) - IP
- Rugby (Boys) - IP
- Sailing (Boys) - IP
- Science (Boys) - IP
- Shooting (Boys) - IP
- Softball (Boys) - IP
- String Ensemble (Boys) - IP
- Swimming (Boys) - IP
- Table Tennis (Boys) - IP
- Tennis (Boys) - IP
- Track and Field (Boys) - IP
- Visual Arts (Boys) - IP
- Water Polo (Boys) - IP
Questions about these schools
How should I choose between Bukit Merah Secondary School and Raffles Institution?
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?
IP · Non-affiliated: Bukit Merah Secondary School Not listed; Raffles Institution 2026 · 4–6. PG3 · Non-affiliated: Bukit Merah Secondary School 2026 · 8–22; Raffles Institution Not listed. PG2 · Non-affiliated: Bukit Merah Secondary School 2026 · 22–25; Raffles Institution Not listed. PG1 · Non-affiliated: Bukit Merah Secondary School 2026 · 25–28; Raffles Institution Not listed.
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.