School MattersNational Junior College vs Raffles Institution
Compare recorded PSLE entry ranges, CCAs, DSA programmes and location, with intake years shown alongside the data.
At a glance
| Compare | National Junior College | Raffles Institution |
|---|---|---|
| School type | Co-Ed School | Co-Ed School |
| Level | Secondary (S1-S4) | Secondary (S1-S4) |
| School tags | IP | IP |
| Zone | South | South |
| Address | 37 Hillcrest Road | 1 Raffles Institution Lane |
| Nearest MRT | Botanic Gardens, Tan Kah Kee, Sixth Avenue | Bishan, Marymount |
| Listed CCAs | 32 | 39 |
| DSA listings | 23 | 25 |
Differences to explore
- CCA
- The records share 1 CCA listing. National Junior College also lists Audio Visual Aid (Girls and Boys), Badminton (Girls and Boys), Basketball (Girls and Boys), Canoeing (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. National Junior College also lists Art Elective Programme (AEP) (Girls and Boys), Basketball (Girls and Boys), Canoeing (Girls and Boys), Chinese Dance (Girls and Boys) and more, 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.
- The daily journey
- Nearby MRT stations listed for National Junior College: Botanic Gardens, Tan Kah Kee, Sixth Avenue; for Raffles Institution: Bishan, Marymount. Compare the full journey from home, including transfers and the walk to school.
Recorded entry ranges
| Compare | National Junior College | Raffles Institution |
|---|---|---|
| IP · Non-affiliated | 2026 · 5–8 | 2026 · 4–6 |
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
National Junior College
National Junior College opened in January 1969 with 570 students and was officially opened in May 1970. MOE records its move to Hillcrest Road in 1995, a four-year Integrated Programme from 2004, and expansion to six years with Sec 1 admission in 2009. This profile concerns Junior High, the four secondary-stage years within that six-year route. Its learning experiences and activity choices should be distinguished from the two Senior High years, even though both stages share the college name and some programmes.
The current Junior High page describes interdisciplinary SPIRE work and Perspectives Tasks alongside languages, mathematics, integrated sciences, humanities, PE, art and music. JH1–2 pupils can take one or more electives, subject to selection and timetable fit. JH3–4 pupils normally take at most two; those taking triple science can take at most one. Examples include coding, forensic science and advanced science or mathematics. This offers room to explore, but not an unrestricted menu. Families can ask how choices, project deadlines and subject progression fit together across the four years.
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
National Junior College
- Audio Visual Aid (Girls and Boys)
- Badminton (Girls and Boys)
- Basketball (Girls and Boys)
- Canoeing (Girls and Boys)
- Chinese Dance (Girls and Boys)
- Chinese Language, Drama and Debating (Girls and Boys)
- Chinese Orchestra (Girls and Boys)
- Choir (Girls and Boys)
- Community Service (Rotary-Sponsored) (Girls and Boys)
- Concert Band (Girls and Boys)
- Design and Innovation (Girls and Boys)
- English Language, Drama and Debating (Girls and Boys)
- Environmental Science (Girls and Boys)
- Floorball (Girls and Boys)
- Football (Boys)
- Guitar Ensemble (Girls and Boys)
- Guzheng Ensemble (Girls and Boys)
- Indian Dance (Girls and Boys)
- Indian Language, Drama and Debating (Girls and Boys)
- Infocomm Technology (Media Production) (Girls and Boys)
- Malay Dance (Girls and Boys)
- Malay Language, Drama and Debating (Girls and Boys)
- Modern Dance (Girls and Boys)
- Netball (Girls)
- Rockwall Climbing (Girls and Boys)
- Shooting (Girls and Boys)
- Softball (Girls and Boys)
- Squash (Girls and Boys)
- String Ensemble (Girls and Boys)
- Table Tennis (Girls and Boys)
- Touch Rugby (Girls)
- Track and Field (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 National Junior College
- Art Elective Programme (AEP) (Girls and Boys)
- Basketball (Girls and Boys)
- Canoeing (Girls and Boys)
- Chinese Dance (Girls and Boys)
- Chinese Orchestra (Girls and Boys)
- Choir (Girls and Boys)
- Community Youth Leadership (Girls and Boys)
- Concert Band (Girls and Boys)
- Cross Country (Girls and Boys)
- Dragon Boat (Girls and Boys)
- English Drama (Girls and Boys)
- Floorball (Boys)
- Indian Dance (Girls and Boys)
- Language Elective Programme - Malay (MLEP) (Girls and Boys)
- Language Elective Programme - Tamil (TLEP) (Girls and Boys)
- Malay Dance (Girls and Boys)
- Rockwall Climbing (Girls and Boys)
- Science Research (Girls and Boys)
- Shooting (Girls and Boys)
- Softball (Girls and Boys)
- String Ensemble (Girls and Boys)
- Track and Field (Girls and Boys)
- Western Dance (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 National Junior College 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: National Junior College 2026 · 5–8; Raffles Institution 2026 · 4–6.
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.