School MattersHougang Secondary School vs Marsiling Secondary 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 | Marsiling Secondary School |
|---|---|---|
| School type | Co-Ed School | Co-Ed School |
| Level | Secondary (S1-S4) | Secondary (S1-S4) |
| School tags | Not listed | Not listed |
| Zone | North | North |
| Address | 2 Hougang Street 93 | 12 Marsiling Road |
| Nearest MRT | Hougang, Buangkok | Marsiling |
| Listed CCAs | 19 | 15 |
| DSA listings | 11 | 10 |
Differences to explore
- CCA
- The records share 6 CCA listings. Hougang Secondary School also lists Angklung/kulintang Ensemble (Girls and Boys), Basketball (Boys), Choir (Girls and Boys), Football (Boys) and more, which do not appear in the other school's records. Marsiling Secondary School also lists Art and Crafts (Girls and Boys), Badminton (Girls and Boys), Chinese Orchestra (Girls and Boys), English Drama (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 3 DSA programme listings. Hougang Secondary School also lists Angklung/Kulintang Ensemble (Girls and Boys), Debating (Girls and Boys), Football (Boys), Guzheng Ensemble (Girls and Boys) and more, which do not appear in the other school's records. Marsiling Secondary School also lists Badminton (Girls and Boys), Chinese Orchestra (Girls and Boys), Concert Band (Girls and Boys), Environmental Science (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 Hougang Secondary School: Hougang, Buangkok; for Marsiling Secondary School: Marsiling. Compare the full journey from home, including transfers and the walk to school.
Recorded entry ranges
| Compare | Hougang Secondary School | Marsiling Secondary School |
|---|---|---|
| PG3 · Non-affiliated | 2026 · 14–20 | 2026 · 14–22 |
| PG2 · Non-affiliated | 2026 · 21–24 | 2026 · 21–25 |
| PG1 · Non-affiliated | 2026 · 25–27 | 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
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
Marsiling Secondary School
Marsiling Secondary began in 2000 at Woodgrove Secondary’s premises, moved to Marsiling Road in 2002 and officially opened its campus in 2003. It merged with Si Ling Secondary in 2017. MOE’s history explains that the merged school’s Chinese name, 士林中学, combines elements from the two predecessors. Its environmental-learning centre opened in 2007, and the school received the President’s Award for the Environment in 2012. Older accounts need to be read with those campus and merger changes in mind.
Eco-Sustainability through Inquiry-Based Learning uses STEM to work on environmental problems. Secondary 1 pupils use Arduino and sensors for ideas such as a smart bin or waste sorter. Secondary 2 combines Arduino or micro:bit with an energy-conservation prototype, then pitches it to peers and teachers. The school also describes vertical farming, rainwater collection and solar panels as learning resources. Environment Councillors take additional ambassador roles; that leadership opportunity is separate from the level programme.
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)
Marsiling Secondary School
- Art and Crafts (Girls and Boys)
- Badminton (Girls and Boys)
- Boys' Brigade (Boys)
- Chinese Orchestra (Girls and Boys)
- Concert Band (Girls and Boys)
- English Drama (Girls and Boys)
- Floorball (Girls and Boys)
- Infocomm Technology (Media Production) (Girls and Boys)
- Malay Dance (Girls and Boys)
- Modern Dance (Girls and Boys)
- National Cadet Corps (NCC) (Sea) (Boys)
- National Police Cadet Corps (NPCC) (Girls and Boys)
- Red Cross Youth (Girls and Boys)
- Sepaktakraw (Boys)
- Strategy Games (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)
Listed DSA programmes at Marsiling Secondary School
- Badminton (Girls and Boys)
- Chinese Orchestra (Girls and Boys)
- Concert Band (Girls and Boys)
- English Drama (Girls and Boys)
- Environmental Science (Girls and Boys)
- Floorball (Girls and Boys)
- Leadership (Girls and Boys)
- Malay Dance (Girls and Boys)
- Modern Dance (Girls and Boys)
- Sepaktakraw (Boys)
Questions about these schools
How should I choose between Hougang Secondary School and Marsiling 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: Hougang Secondary School 2026 · 14–20; Marsiling Secondary School 2026 · 14–22. PG2 · Non-affiliated: Hougang Secondary School 2026 · 21–24; Marsiling Secondary School 2026 · 21–25. PG1 · Non-affiliated: Hougang Secondary School 2026 · 25–27; Marsiling 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.