School MattersHougang Secondary School vs North Vista 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 | North Vista 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 | 11 Rivervale Link |
| Nearest MRT | Hougang, Buangkok | Sengkang, Buangkok, Ranggung |
| Listed CCAs | 19 | 18 |
| DSA listings | 11 | 10 |
Differences to explore
- CCA
- The records share 7 CCA listings. 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. North Vista Secondary School also lists Basketball (Girls and Boys), Chinese Dance (Girls), Choir (Girls), Community Service (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. 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. North Vista Secondary School also lists Basketball (Girls and Boys), Chinese Dance (Girls), Choir (Girls), Concert Band (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 North Vista Secondary School: Sengkang, Buangkok, Ranggung. Compare the full journey from home, including transfers and the walk to school.
Recorded entry ranges
| Compare | Hougang Secondary School | North Vista Secondary School |
|---|---|---|
| PG3 · Non-affiliated | 2026 · 14–20 | 2026 · 11–18 |
| PG2 · Non-affiliated | 2026 · 21–24 | 2026 · 21–24 |
| PG1 · Non-affiliated | 2026 · 25–27 | 2026 · 25–28 |
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
North Vista Secondary School
The school began in 1956 as Gan Eng Seng Government Chinese Middle School, was renamed Thomson Government Chinese Middle School in 1958, and later merged with Thomson Vocational School to become Thomson Secondary. It moved to Sengkang on 15 December 2000 and adopted North Vista Secondary as its English name, retaining 德新中学 in Chinese. The current campus officially opened on 8 July 2003. Old Thomson accounts therefore belong to the school’s history, but may describe a different campus and structure from today’s secondary provision.
The ALP names Cities and Urban Landscapes as its 2026 context. All Secondary 1 pupils take high-tech-farming workshops and hands-on hydroponics to grow edibles. Further experiences with outside organisations depend on interest. BioBloom is a separate tier for selected Infocomm Club members: they work on food-waste conditions for worms and harvest compost for the school’s edible gardens. The page’s Secondary 3 examples include moisture sensors and probes. That club project is more specialised than the common Secondary 1 experience, and should not be assigned to the entire cohort.
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)
North Vista Secondary School
- Basketball (Girls and Boys)
- Chinese Dance (Girls)
- Choir (Girls)
- Community Service (Girls and Boys)
- Concert Band (Girls and Boys)
- English Drama (Girls and Boys)
- Football (Boys)
- Girl Guides (Girls)
- Golf (Girls and Boys)
- Infocomm Technology (Media Production) (Girls and Boys)
- Modern Dance (Girls and Boys)
- National Cadet Corps (NCC) (Land) (Boys)
- National Police Cadet Corps (NPCC) (Girls and Boys)
- Netball (Girls)
- Outdoor Adventure (Girls and Boys)
- St John Brigade (Girls and Boys)
- String Ensemble (Girls and Boys)
- Track and Field (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 North Vista Secondary School
- Basketball (Girls and Boys)
- Chinese Dance (Girls)
- Choir (Girls)
- Concert Band (Girls and Boys)
- Football (Boys)
- Golf (Girls and Boys)
- Modern Dance (Girls and Boys)
- Netball (Girls)
- String Ensemble (Girls and Boys)
- Track and Field (Girls and Boys)
Questions about these schools
How should I choose between Hougang Secondary School and North Vista 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; North Vista Secondary School 2026 · 11–18. PG2 · Non-affiliated: Hougang Secondary School 2026 · 21–24; North Vista Secondary School 2026 · 21–24. PG1 · Non-affiliated: Hougang Secondary School 2026 · 25–27; North Vista Secondary School 2026 · 25–28.
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.