School MattersHougang Secondary School vs Maris Stella High School
Compare recorded PSLE entry ranges, CCAs, DSA programmes and location, with intake years shown alongside the data.
At a glance
| Compare | Hougang Secondary School | Maris Stella High School |
|---|---|---|
| School type | Co-Ed School | Boys' School |
| Level | Secondary (S1-S4) | Secondary (S1-S4) |
| School tags | Not listed | SAP · Autonomous |
| Zone | North | North |
| Address | 2 Hougang Street 93 | 25 Mount Vernon Road |
| Nearest MRT | Hougang, Buangkok | Bartley |
| Listed CCAs | 19 | 18 |
| DSA listings | 11 | 18 |
Differences to explore
- CCA
- The records share 1 CCA listing. Hougang Secondary School also lists Angklung/kulintang Ensemble (Girls and Boys), Boys' Brigade (Boys), Choir (Girls and Boys), Concert Band (Girls and Boys) and more, which do not appear in the other school's records. Maris Stella High School also lists Badminton (Boys), Bowling (Boys), Chinese Language, Drama and Debating (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. Hougang Secondary School also lists Angklung/Kulintang Ensemble (Girls and Boys), Debating (Girls and Boys), English Drama (Girls and Boys), Floorball (Girls and Boys) and more, which do not appear in the other school's records. Maris Stella High School also lists Badminton (Boys), Basketball (Boys), Bowling (Boys), Chinese Language (Boys) and more, which do not appear in the other school's records. Listings may be incomplete; confirm availability with each school.
- Programme tags
- Hougang Secondary School: no IP or SAP tag listed; Maris Stella High School: SAP. Check the specific programme your child would enter.
- The daily journey
- Nearby MRT stations listed for Hougang Secondary School: Hougang, Buangkok; for Maris Stella High School: Bartley. Compare the full journey from home, including transfers and the walk to school.
Recorded entry ranges
| Compare | Hougang Secondary School | Maris Stella High School |
|---|---|---|
| PG3 · Non-affiliated | 2026 · 14–20 | 2026 · 7M–12 |
| PG3 · Affiliated | Not listed | 2026 · 4M–16 |
| PG2 · Non-affiliated | 2026 · 21–24 | Not listed |
| PG1 · Non-affiliated | 2026 · 25–27 | 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
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.
- School History
- STEM Applied Learning Programme (ALP)
- Learning For Life Programme (LLP)
- Hougang Secondary School Student Handbook 2026 — 15 May version
Maris Stella High School
Maris Stella plans to rebuild its Mount Vernon campuses from 2027 to 2029. Its secondary section will use the former Bedok North Secondary School site; the primary section uses a different site. The 2027 information page sets an 8am start for Sec 1–4 pupils, superseding the 7.30am routine in its general admission FAQ for that period. Return to Mount Vernon is tentatively in 2030. The secondary school remains all-boys: the move towards co-education is a primary-section change. Families should plan travel to the secondary holding campus.
Brother Chanel Soon founded Maris Stella in 1958 in borrowed classrooms at St Stephen’s, initially with both primary and secondary classes. It moved to Mount Vernon in 1967; the secondary section became a SAP school in 1979 and autonomous in 1996. The current FAQ welcomes pupils of all faiths. Some assembly activities introduce Catholic traditions to all students, while additional Catholic camps and masses are described as optional for non-Catholics. Families can discuss those arrangements directly instead of assuming either religious membership or complete absence of faith-related activities.
CCAs and programmes
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)
Maris Stella High School
- Badminton (Boys)
- Basketball (Boys)
- Bowling (Boys)
- Chinese Language, Drama and Debating (Boys)
- Chinese Orchestra (Boys)
- Concert Band (Boys)
- English Culture and Language (Boys)
- Infocomm Technology (Media Production) (Boys)
- National Cadet Corps (NCC) (Sea) (Boys)
- National Police Cadet Corps (NPCC) (Boys)
- Outdoor Adventure (Boys)
- Robotics (Boys)
- Scouts (Boys)
- Softball (Boys)
- St John Brigade (Boys)
- Table Tennis (Boys)
- Taekwondo (Boys)
- Wushu (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)
Listed DSA programmes at Maris Stella High School
- Badminton (Boys)
- Basketball (Boys)
- Bowling (Boys)
- Chinese Language (Boys)
- Chinese Language, Drama and Debating (Boys)
- Chinese Orchestra (Boys)
- Concert Band (Boys)
- English Literary - Debate and Scrabble (Boys)
- Leadership (Boys)
- Media Arts / Film / Photography (Boys)
- Robotics (Boys)
- Scouts (Boys)
- Softball (Boys)
- Sport Climbing (Boys)
- Stem (Boys)
- Table Tennis (Boys)
- Taekwondo (Boys)
- Wushu (Boys)
Questions about these schools
How should I choose between Hougang Secondary School and Maris Stella High 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: Hougang Secondary School 2026 · 14–20; Maris Stella High School 2026 · 7M–12. PG3 · Affiliated: Hougang Secondary School Not listed; Maris Stella High School 2026 · 4M–16. PG2 · Non-affiliated: Hougang Secondary School 2026 · 21–24; Maris Stella High School Not listed. PG1 · Non-affiliated: Hougang Secondary School 2026 · 25–27; Maris Stella High 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.