Sydney’s best selective, public & private high schools
- Selective schools dominate as the top 10 schools are almost entirely selective public schools with success rates reaching 65% Band 6 results.
- Strong Public options exist as schools like Chatswood High (#57), Epping Boys (#59), and Cheltenham Girls (#56) prove excellent outcomes.
- Choosing the right fit for your child's abilities and goals matters more than chasing rankings alone as academic performance varies widely.
Table Of Contents:
- What Are The Best Selective Schools In Sydney?
- What Are The Best Public Schools In Sydney?
- What Are The Best Private Schools In Sydney?
- How To Choose The Right High School In Sydney?
- Conclusion
Choosing the right high school is one of the most important decisions for any family. Whether you’re looking for a strong academic track record, values-based education, or elite selective entry, Sydney has a wide range of excellent options.
In this guide, we break down the top public (non-selective), private, and selective high schools in Sydney.
Top 100 High Schools In Sydney (Based on 2024 HSC Rankings)
The following list is based on academic performance data, such as Band 6 percentages from the 2024 HSC. It includes public, private, and selective schools.
Rank | School Name | Type | 2024 Success Rate (%) | Band 6 Count | Exam Entries |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | North Sydney Boys High School | Selective Public | 64.9 | 564 | 869 |
2 | James Ruse Agricultural High School | Selective Public | 62.9 | 647 | 1,029 |
3 | Sydney Grammar School | Private | 56.4 | 667 | 1,183 |
4 | Normanhurst Boys High School | Selective Public | 55.0 | 433 | 788 |
5 | Reddam House, Bondi | Private | 54.9 | 406 | 739 |
6 | Baulkham Hills High School | Selective Public | 54.1 | 661 | 1,221 |
7 | Hornsby Girls High School | Selective Public | 52.0 | 353 | 679 |
8 | North Sydney Girls High School | Selective Public | 50.1 | 450 | 899 |
9 | Sydney Boys High School | Selective Public | 49.4 | 604 | 1,223 |
10 | Abbotsleigh | Private | 48.9 | 514 | 1,052 |
11 | Meriden School | Private | 48.1 | 419 | 872 |
12 | Kambala | Private | 45.9 | 236 | 514 |
13 | St Aloysius’ College | Private | 44.7 | 438 | 979 |
14 | Northern Beaches Secondary College – Manly Campus | Public Comprehensive | 44.6 | 350 | 785 |
15 | SCEGGS Darlinghurst | Private | 44.3 | 300 | 678 |
16 | Sydney Girls High School | Selective Public | 43.1 | 444 | 1,030 |
17 | Knox Grammar School | Private | 42.9 | 890 | 2,077 |
18 | Alpha Omega Senior College | Private | 42.5 | 293 | 689 |
19 | Loreto Kirribilli | Private | 41.5 | 333 | 802 |
20 | Pymble Ladies’ College | Private | 41.5 | 663 | 1,597 |
21 | Al‑Faisal College – Auburn | Private | 41.4 | 285 | 688 |
22 | Ascham School | Private | 40.7 | 250 | 615 |
23 | St Catherine’s School – Waverley | Private | 39.5 | 288 | 729 |
24 | Roseville College | Private | 39.4 | 253 | 643 |
25 | SHORE – Sydney Church of England Grammar School | Private | 39.3 | 461 | 1,173 |
26 | Wenona School | Private | 39.3 | 336 | 856 |
27 | Fort Street High School | Selective Public | 38.2 | 334 | 875 |
28 | Merewether High School | Non‑Selective Public | 35.7 | 372 | 1,042 |
29 | Penrith Selective High School | Selective Public | 35.3 | 324 | 919 |
30 | Northholm Grammar School | Private | 35.1 | 78 | 222 |
31 | Girraween High School | Selective Public | 35.1 | 282 | 803 |
32 | Moriah College | Private | 34.6 | 244 | 705 |
33 | The King’s School | Private | 34.3 | 459 | 1,340 |
34 | Presbyterian Ladies’ College – Sydney | Private | 33.6 | 310 | 923 |
35 | Queenwood | Private | 33.6 | 153 | 456 |
36 | Masada College | Private | 32.6 | 59 | 181 |
37 | St George Girls High School | Selective Public | 32.2 | 258 | 801 |
38 | Al Noori Muslim School | Private | 30.4 | 164 | 540 |
39 | Ravenswood School for Girls | Private | 29.9 | 193 | 646 |
40 | The Scots College | Private | 29.2 | 306 | 1,049 |
41 | Emanuel School | Private | 28.6 | 134 | 468 |
42 | Cranbrook School | Private | 28.6 | 259 | 905 |
43 | Hurlstone Agricultural High School | Selective Public | 28.6 | 299 | 1,047 |
44 | St Luke’s Grammar School | Private | 28.2 | 210 | 744 |
45 | Central Coast Grammar School | Private | 28.1 | 184 | 654 |
46 | Barker College | Private | 27.6 | 529 | 1,920 |
47 | St Clare’s College | Private | 27.5 | 145 | 528 |
48 | Pittwater House Schools | Private | 27.0 | 131 | 485 |
49 | Frensham School | Private | 27.0 | 96 | 356 |
50 | Sydney Tech High School | Public Comprehensive | 26.8 | 220 | 821 |
51 | Danebank – An Anglican School for Girls | Private | 26.8 | 154 | 575 |
52 | Gosford High School | Selective Public | 26.0 | 299 | 1,149 |
53 | Smiths Hill High School | Selective Public | 25.5 | 179 | 702 |
54 | Willoughby Girls High School | Non‑Selective Public | 25.3 | 211 | 834 |
55 | Newtown High School of Performing Arts | Public Specialised | 25.3 | 233 | 922 |
56 | Cheltenham Girls High School | Non‑Selective Public | 25.2 | 313 | 1,242 |
57 | Chatswood High School | Non‑Selective Public | 25.1 | 364 | 1,452 |
58 | Parramatta Marist High School | Private | 25.1 | 182 | 726 |
59 | Epping Boys High School | Non‑Selective Public | 24.9 | 250 | 1,003 |
60 | St Augustine’s College Sydney | Private | 24.2 | 268 | 1,106 |
61 | Loreto Normanhurst | Private | 23.9 | 238 | 996 |
62 | Northern Beaches Secondary College – Balgowlah Boys Campus | Public Comprehensive | 23.8 | 169 | 710 |
63 | Monte Sant’ Angelo Mercy College | Private | 23.6 | 182 | 772 |
64 | Tara Anglican School for Girls | Private | 23.5 | 131 | 558 |
65 | Brigidine College Randwick | Private | 23.5 | 150 | 639 |
66 | Kincoppal – Rose Bay School of the Sacred Heart | Private | 23.4 | 142 | 606 |
67 | The Hills Grammar School | Private | 23.2 | 95 | 410 |
68 | Our Lady of Mercy College Parramatta | Private | 22.8 | 196 | 861 |
69 | Saint Ignatius’ College | Private | 22.7 | 299 | 1,318 |
70 | Carlingford High School | Non‑Selective Public | 22.3 | 265 | 1,183 |
71 | Arden Anglican School | Private | 22.3 | 117 | 525 |
72 | Marist Catholic College North Shore | Private | 21.4 | 110 | 515 |
73 | Mount St Benedict College | Private | 21.1 | 150 | 712 |
74 | Macarthur Anglican School | Private | 21.0 | 113 | 537 |
75 | International Grammar School | Private | 20.8 | 129 | 620 |
76 | Caringbah High School | Selective Public | 20.7 | 189 | 915 |
77 | St Spyridon College | Private | 20.7 | 82 | 397 |
78 | Bethany College | Private | 20.3 | 179 | 883 |
79 | Newcastle Grammar School | Private | 20.2 | 118 | 585 |
80 | St Vincent’s College | Private | 20.1 | 135 | 672 |
81 | Santa Sabina College | Private | 20.0 | 106 | 529 |
82 | Tangara School for Girls | Private | 20.0 | 54 | 270 |
83 | St Joseph’s College (Hunters Hill) | Private | 19.6 | 220 | 1,123 |
84 | St Patrick’s College, Strathfield | Private | 19.4 | 196 | 1,013 |
85 | Killara High School | Selective Public | 19.2 | 280 | 1,457 |
86 | All Saints Grammar | Private | 19.0 | 31 | 163 |
87 | St Ursula’s College | Private | 19.0 | 170 | 896 |
88 | Redfield College | Private | 18.9 | 34 | 180 |
89 | Cherrybrook Technology High School | Selective Public | 18.8 | 349 | 1,854 |
90 | Brigidine College St Ives | Private | 18.7 | 134 | 716 |
91 | Stella Maris College | Private | 18.6 | 139 | 749 |
92 | Marist Catholic College Penshurst | Private | 18.1 | 131 | 722 |
93 | Ryde Secondary College | Public Comprehensive | 18.1 | 161 | 891 |
94 | Parramatta High School | Selective Public | 18.0 | 179 | 994 |
95 | Strathfield Girls High School | Public Comprehensive | 17.2 | 163 | 948 |
96 | Burwood Girls High School | Public Comprehensive | 17.1 | 163 | 956 |
97 | St Columba Anglican School | Private | 16.8 | 95 | 567 |
98 | Castle Hill High School | Public Comprehensive | 16.7 | 275 | 1,648 |
99 | St George Christian School | Private | 16.6 | 59 | 356 |
100 | Rose Bay Secondary College | Public Comprehensive | 16.4 | 150 | 916 |
Summary & Insights
- Dominance of selective schools: The top 10 are all selective public schools and leading private institutions separating themselves academically.
- Non-selective standouts: Carlingford High (rank 70), Chatswood High (57), Epping Boys (59), and Cheltenham Girls (56) are the highest-ranking non-selective public schools.
- Private school performance: Prestigious private schools like Reddam House (#5), Abbotsleigh (#10), Knox Grammar (#17), and SHORE (#25) maintain strong academic results.
- Regional growth: Western Sydney schools like Penrith Selective High (#29) are noted for rapid improvements in HSC performance
What Are The Best Selective Schools In Sydney?
Selective high schools admit students based on their academic performance, usually through the Selective Schools Test. These schools often dominate HSC performance rankings.
If you'd like to learn everything about the selective school entry exam, make sure to check out our comprehensive breakdown! Currently 7 of the top 10 schools are selective - they are:
- North Sydney Boys High School
- James Ruse Agricultural High School
- Normanhurst Boys High School
- Baulkham Hills High School
- Hornsby Girls High School
- North Sydney Girls High School
- Sydney Boys High School
Browse our top Sydney Tutor Specialists who've done it before and take your results to another level! 👇
What Are The Best Public Schools In Sydney?
School | Description |
---|---|
Willoughby Girls High School | Strong HSC results and well-rounded programs. |
Cherrybrook Technology High School | A large, high-performing school with a STEM focus. |
Epping Boys High School | Excellent academic and sporting programs. |
Chatswood High School | Consistently good NAPLAN and HSC outcomes. |
Caringbah High School (Partially Selective) | Offers a mix of selective and local enrolments. |
What Are The Best Private Schools In Sydney?
School | Description |
---|---|
Reddam House, Bondi | Ranked #1 in HSC results multiple years. |
Sydney Grammar School | Renowned for its academic focus and classical education. |
Pymble Ladies’ College | One of the top-performing girls’ schools in NSW. |
The King’s School | Historic school with a strong academic and leadership program. |
Abbotsleigh, Wahroonga | Frequently among the top 5 girls' schools in Sydney. |
How To Choose The Right High School In Sydney?
While academic results are important, also consider:
- School culture and values
- Distance from home
- Co-curricular opportunities
- Teaching quality
- Support services
Want To Ensure Selective School Success?
Get your first FREE Lesson with a NSW Tutor Specialist and discover the power of KIS personalised tutoring.
Find A NSW Tutor Specialist →What Our Students & Parents Say
Real reviews from students and parents across all our tutoring programs — collected from Google, Trustpilot, and more.
Conclusion
Sydney's education landscape offers exceptional opportunities across selective, private, and public schools, but success isn't determined by school type alone. While selective schools like James Ruse and North Sydney Boys consistently top the rankings, strong public schools like Chatswood High and Epping Boys prove that excellent outcomes are achievable everywhere.
The key is matching your child's learning style, academic goals, and family circumstances with the right educational environment. Whether you're preparing for competitive selective school entry, considering private school options, or maximising success at your local high school, what matters most is providing the right support for your child to thrive.
If you're after more resources, check these out! 👇
FAQs
1. How can tutoring help my child get into a selective school?
- Selective School Test preparation - Our tutors provide targeted practice for the specific reasoning and academic skills tested
- Academic foundation building - Strengthen core subjects early so your child performs confidently under test conditions
2. What subjects does KIS tutor for high school students?
- All HSC subjects including advanced mathematics, sciences, English, and humanities with specialised tutors for each area
- Entrance exam preparation for selective schools, private school scholarships, and university admissions
3. How quickly can tutoring improve my child's academic performance?
- Most students see improvement within 4-6 weeks with consistent sessions and targeted study plans
- HSC students typically achieve 10-20% grade improvements when starting tutoring at least one term before major assessments