School MattersDunearn Secondary School vs Tanjong Katong Secondary School
Compare recorded PSLE entry ranges, CCAs, DSA programmes and location, with intake years shown alongside the data.
At a glance
| Compare | Dunearn Secondary School | Tanjong Katong Secondary School |
|---|---|---|
| School type | Co-Ed School | Co-Ed School |
| Level | Secondary (S1-S4) | Secondary (S1-S4) |
| School tags | Not listed | Autonomous |
| Zone | West | East |
| Address | 21 Bukit Batok West Avenue 2 | 130 Haig Road |
| Nearest MRT | Bukit Batok, Bukit Gombak | Paya Lebar, Dakota |
| Listed CCAs | 13 | 17 |
| DSA listings | 1 | 5 |
Differences to explore
- CCA
- The records share 6 CCA listings. Dunearn Secondary School also lists Basketball (Girls and Boys), Concert Band (Girls and Boys), Infocomm Technology (Media Production) (Girls and Boys), Media Resource Library (Girls and Boys) and more, which do not appear in the other school's records. Tanjong Katong Secondary School also lists Art and Crafts (Girls and Boys), Audio Visual Aid (Girls and Boys), Basketball (Boys), Floorball (Girls) 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. Dunearn Secondary School also lists Community Youth Leadership (Girls and Boys), which do not appear in the other school's records. Tanjong Katong Secondary School also lists Basketball (Boys), Floorball (Girls), Football (Boys), Malay Language (Girls and 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 Dunearn Secondary School: Bukit Batok, Bukit Gombak; for Tanjong Katong Secondary School: Paya Lebar, Dakota. Compare the full journey from home, including transfers and the walk to school.
Recorded entry ranges
| Compare | Dunearn Secondary School | Tanjong Katong Secondary School |
|---|---|---|
| PG3 · Non-affiliated | 2026 · 11–22 | 2026 · 7–13 |
| PG2 · Non-affiliated | 2026 · 22–25 | 2026 · 21–23 |
| PG1 · Non-affiliated | 2026 · 25–29 | 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
Dunearn Secondary School
Dunearn began as Dunearn Government Chinese Middle School at Hillcrest Avenue in 1962. It merged with Dunearn Vocational School in 1969, bringing Chinese- and English-medium education and academic and technical courses together. The school moved to Bukit Batok West Avenue 2 in 1993. Its former pre-university course was phased out in 1994. PRIME rebuilding involved a temporary Jalan Boon Lay site in 2016 and a return to Bukit Batok in 2018; older campus and pre-university memories need that context.
The current ApLM page says pupils have an opportunity to take an Applied Learning Module in Secondary 3. Its 2025 examples include Singapore Polytechnic food innovation, Python and machine-learning work that recognises food items, and game-character design using Wacom tablets and Photoshop. Food activities involved sensory analysis and recipes such as ice cream and croissants. These are dated examples of different modules, not a promise that one pupil takes all three. Families should ask which modules will be offered and how preferences are allocated for their cohort.
Tanjong Katong Secondary School
TK began as Tanjong Katong Secondary Technical School in 1956, initially serving boys. It admitted girls and introduced pre-university classes in the 1960s, dropped Technical from its name in 1993 and moved to Haig Road in 1998. It gained autonomous status in 2004. The band traces one branch to a 26-member brass band in 1965, later combined with TKGS before separating in 1989. The band page’s display awards and overseas competition examples are dated historical achievements, not a current ranking or a promise of opportunities for each new member.
The EMAS page describes a four-year programme linked to Higher Malay, with language and cultural workshops by level. TK pupils taking Higher Malay are included in EMAS; outside pupils attend the school’s Higher Malay lessons under a separate arrangement. MLEP-Sec is a different two-year upper-secondary pathway involving Malay literature. The school describes a choice for EMAS pupils to continue or switch, and entry criteria for other applicants. Its MLEP page still refers to O-Level subjects and JC incentives, so confirm current cohort requirements directly. Camps, immersion, scholarships and progression should not be assumed merely from enrolment at TK.
CCAs and programmes
Dunearn Secondary School
- Basketball (Girls and Boys)
- Choir (Girls and Boys)
- Concert Band (Girls and Boys)
- English Drama (Girls and Boys)
- Football (Boys)
- Infocomm Technology (Media Production) (Girls and Boys)
- Media Resource Library (Girls and Boys)
- Modern Dance (Girls and Boys)
- National Cadet Corps (NCC) (Land) (Boys)
- National Police Cadet Corps (NPCC) (Girls and Boys)
- Scouts (Boys)
- St John Brigade (Girls and Boys)
- Table Tennis (Girls and Boys)
Tanjong Katong Secondary School
- Art and Crafts (Girls and Boys)
- Audio Visual Aid (Girls and Boys)
- Basketball (Boys)
- Choir (Girls and Boys)
- English Drama (Girls and Boys)
- Floorball (Girls)
- Football (Boys)
- Girl Guides (Girls)
- Marching Band (Girls and Boys)
- Modern Dance (Girls)
- National Cadet Corps (NCC) (Land) (Boys)
- National Cadet Corps (NCC) (Sea) (Boys)
- National Police Cadet Corps (NPCC) (Girls and Boys)
- Netball (Girls)
- Scouts (Boys)
- Shooting (Girls and Boys)
- Track and Field (Girls and Boys)
Listed DSA programmes at Dunearn Secondary School
- Community Youth Leadership (Girls and Boys)
Listed DSA programmes at Tanjong Katong Secondary School
- Basketball (Boys)
- Floorball (Girls)
- Football (Boys)
- Malay Language (Girls and Boys)
- Netball (Girls)
Questions about these schools
How should I choose between Dunearn Secondary School and Tanjong Katong 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: Dunearn Secondary School 2026 · 11–22; Tanjong Katong Secondary School 2026 · 7–13. PG2 · Non-affiliated: Dunearn Secondary School 2026 · 22–25; Tanjong Katong Secondary School 2026 · 21–23. PG1 · Non-affiliated: Dunearn Secondary School 2026 · 25–29; Tanjong Katong Secondary School 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.