What were NSW's top performing schools in 2025?

General Statistics

This year, just over 57, 000 students received their ATAR, with the median ATAR being 71.55. This was a slight improvement from the 2023 median ATAR of 71.00. For males, the median ATAR was 70.40 whilst for females it was 72.40.

Of those students who received their ATAR:

• 1.8% received an ATAR of 99.00 or higher
• 8.9% received an ATAR of 95.00 or higher
• 17.8% received an ATAR of 90.00 or higher.
• 35.50% received an ATAR of at least 80.00.
• 52.6% received an ATAR of at least 70.00.
• 68.4% received an ATAR of at least 60.00.

51 students received the highest ATAR of 99.95, representing the top 0.1% of the cohort. These students came from a blend of both government and non-government schools. Of those 51 students, 9 were females and 42 were males.

There was a notable fall in the number of private schools making the top 10 ranked schools this year compared to last. In 2024, 3 private schools made it to the top 10, in contrast to last year, when private schools made up half of the list. Government-run selective schools comprised most of the list, with 7 occupying the top 10. 

In NSW, we rank schools based on the percentage of students that received either a band 6 or E4 result (marks of 90 or above) out of the total number of exams sat. This is known as the success rate.

Top Performing Schools in NSW

1. North Sydney Boys High School

• 4 students achieved the top ATAR of 99.95.
• 14 students achieved state ranks.
• 52 students were All-Round Achievers (received the highest HSC band (B6/E4) in 10 or more course units), representing 34.4% of their school cohort.
• Success rate of 64.9%.

2. James Ruse Agricultural High School

• 6 students achieved the top ATAR of 99.95.
• 20 students achieved state ranks.
• 2 students achieved first in the state for their course. 
• 61 students were All-Round Achievers (received the highest HSC band (B6/E4) in 10 or more course units), representing 38.4% of their school cohort.
• Success rate of 62.9%.

3. Sydney Grammar School

• 14 students achieved the top ATAR of 99.95.
• 52 students achieved state ranks.
• 7 students achieved first in state for their course.
• 64 students were All-Round Achievers (received the highest HSC band (B6/E4) in 10 or more course units), representing 34% of their school cohort.
• 30.3% of students received an ATAR of 99 and above, placing them in the top 1.8% of the state. 
• 39.9% of students received an ATAR of 98 and above, placing them in the top 3.6% of the state.
• 62.8% of students received an ATAR of 95 and above, placing them in the top 8.9% of the state.
• 81.9% of students received an ATAR of 90 and above, placing them in the top 17.8% of the state.
• 96.8% of students received an ATAR of 80 and above, placing them in the top 35.5% of the state.
• Success rate of 56.4%.

4. Normanhurst Boys High School

• 2 students achieved the top ATAR of 99.95
• 6 students achieved state ranks.
• 37 students were All-Round Achievers (received the highest HSC band (B6/E4) in 10 or more course units), representing 27.8% of their school cohort.
• Success rate of 55.0%.

5. Reddam House

• 4 students achieved state ranks.
• 29 students were All-Round Achievers (received the highest HSC band (B6/E4) in 10 or more course units), representing 22% of their school cohort.
• Success rate of 54.9%.

6. BaulkhamHills High School

• 2 students achieved the top ATAR of 99.95.
• 14 students achieved state ranks.
• 2 students achieved first in state for their course.
• 55 students were All-Round Achievers (received the highest HSC band (B6/E4) in 10 or more course units), representing 27.2% of their school cohort.
• Success rate of 54.1%.

7. Hornsby Girls High School

• 2 students achieved state ranks.
• 55 students were All-Round Achievers (received the highest HSC band (B6/E4) in 10 or more course units), representing 47.0% of their school cohort.
• Success rate of 52.0%.

8. North Sydney Girls High School

• 1 student achieved the top ATAR of 99.95
• 6 students achieved state ranks.
• 2 students achieved first in state for their course.
• 24 students were All-Round Achievers (received the highest HSC band (B6/E4) in 10 or more course units), representing 15.8% of their school cohort.
• Success rate of 50.1%.

9. Sydney Boys High School

• 7 students achieved state ranks.
• 34 students were All-Round Achievers (received the highest HSC band (B6/E4) in 10 or more course units),  representing 16.1% of their school cohort.
• Success rate of 49.4%.

10. Abbotsleigh

• 14 students achieved state ranks.
• 28 students were All-Round Achievers (received the highest HSC band (B6/E4) in 10 or more course units), representing 16% of their school cohort.
• The median ATAR was 94.45.
• The highest ATAR was 99.90.
• 14% of students received an ATAR of 99 and above, placing them in the top 1.8% of the state. 
• 44% of students received an ATAR of 95 and above, placing them in the top 8.9% of the state.
• 70% of students received an ATAR of 90 and above, placing them in the top 17.8% of the state.
• 87% of students received an ATAR of 80 and above, placing them in the top 35.5% of the state.
• Success rate of 48.9%.

Extra Resources

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