Public high schools in New South Wales, ranked

Every list here comes from a published government dataset, and each one measures a different thing. Results track family advantage closely, so read every position next to its ICSEA, and treat small cohorts as indicative only.

Top 10% by HSC Band 6 / E4 results per Year 12 student, 2025

Band 6 / E4 results per Year 12 student. Section 18A of the Education Act 1990 (NSW) permits publishing only the top 10% of schools, based on NESA's merit lists. Each school's Band 6 / E4 count from NESA's 2025 Distinguished Achievers list is divided by its Year 12 enrolment (ACARA, August census; schools with fewer than 20 Year 12 students are excluded). The cut-off is 10% of all NSW schools, government and non-government, on that list; 23 public schools fall inside it. No other NSW results ranking is calculated; earlier years are shown for reference only and are not ranked.

#	School	Suburb	Band 6 / E4 results per Year 12 student, 2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	ICSEA	Students
1	James Ruse Agricultural High SchoolAgricultural	Carlingford	4.46	4.04	3.78	4.42	4.44	1,222	857
2	North Sydney Boys High SchoolFully	North Sydney	4.12	3.74	4.18	3.69	3.58	1,195	933
3	North Sydney Girls High SchoolFully	Crows Nest	3.47	2.92	3.25	3.14	2.84	1,203	911
4	Normanhurst Boys High SchoolFully	Normanhurst	3.38	3.23	2.68	2.86	2.95	1,207	752
5	Sydney Boys High SchoolFully	Moore Park	3.08	2.88	2.50	2.56	2.72	1,189	1,202
6	Hornsby Girls High SchoolFully	Hornsby	2.95	3.02	2.47	2.64	2.94	1,209	720
7	Baulkham Hills High SchoolFully	Baulkham Hills	2.92	3.11	3.28	3.35	3.34	1,203	1,222
8	Sydney Girls High SchoolFully	Surry Hills	2.65	2.60	2.36	2.53	3.31	1,193	929
9	Conservatorium High School	Sydney	2.50	2.90	3.09	3.14	2.86	1,194	153
10	Penrith High SchoolFully	Penrith	2.42	2.06	1.83	1.72	1.84	1,186	928
11	Northern Beaches Secondary College Manly CampusFully	North Curl Curl	2.33	2.52	2.26	2.28	3.01	1,217	765
12	Fort Street High SchoolFully	Petersham	2.28	2.13	2.07	2.03	2.29	1,176	916
13	Merewether High SchoolFully	Broadmeadow	2.24	2.14	1.63	1.72	1.54	1,206	1,071
14	Girraween High SchoolFully	Girraween	2.16	1.97	1.88	1.92	2.31	1,199	782
15	Gosford High SchoolFully	Gosford	2.02	1.70	1.30	1.42	1.04	1,157	1,058
16	Caringbah High SchoolFully	Caringbah	1.98	1.19	1.64	1.79	1.55	1,172	900
17	Hurlstone Agricultural High SchoolAgricultural	Glenfield	1.68	1.62	1.66	1.58	1.71	1,147	934
18	St George Girls High SchoolFully	Kogarah	1.60	1.82	1.33	1.44	1.54	1,148	908
19	Sydney Technical High SchoolFully	Bexley	1.56	1.47	1.34	1.27	1.58	1,136	906
20	Smiths Hill High SchoolFully	Wollongong	1.38	1.37	1.51	1.10	1.40	1,186	735
21	Willoughby Girls High SchoolGifted class: Gifted class	Willoughby	1.29	1.24	1.26	1.09	1.14	1,152	1,035
22	Chatswood High SchoolPartially	Chatswood	1.22	1.29	1.17	1.15	1.21	1,137	2,146
23	Cherrybrook Technology High SchoolGifted class: Gifted class	Cherrybrook	1.19	1.01	0.94	0.98	0.83	1,146	2,097

Attendance rate

Share of school days attended by enrolled students in the latest published year. Attendance tracks engagement and wellbeing, not academic results. Top 50 of 449 schools with data.

#	School	Suburb	Attendance rate	Year	ICSEA	Students
1	James Ruse Agricultural High SchoolAgricultural	Carlingford	96.3%	2024	1,222	857
2	Conservatorium High School	Sydney	95.6%	2024	1,194	153
3	North Sydney Girls High SchoolFully	Crows Nest	95.2%	2024	1,203	911
4	Penrith High SchoolFully	Penrith	95.2%	2024	1,186	928
5	Girraween High SchoolFully	Girraween	94.8%	2024	1,199	782
6	Hornsby Girls High SchoolFully	Hornsby	94.7%	2024	1,209	720
7	Sydney Boys High SchoolFully	Moore Park	94.5%	2024	1,189	1,202
8	Fort Street High SchoolFully	Petersham	94.3%	2024	1,176	916
9	Sydney Girls High SchoolFully	Surry Hills	94.1%	2024	1,193	929
10	Sydney Technical High SchoolFully	Bexley	94.1%	2024	1,136	906
11	Baulkham Hills High SchoolFully	Baulkham Hills	93.9%	2024	1,203	1,222
12	Normanhurst Boys High SchoolFully	Normanhurst	93.9%	2024	1,207	752
13	North Sydney Boys High SchoolFully	North Sydney	93.9%	2024	1,195	933
14	Caringbah High SchoolFully	Caringbah	93.6%	2024	1,172	900
15	Hurlstone Agricultural High SchoolAgricultural	Glenfield	93.5%	2024	1,147	934
16	St George Girls High SchoolFully	Kogarah	93.5%	2024	1,148	908
17	Gosford High SchoolFully	Gosford	93.4%	2024	1,157	1,058
18	Cheltenham Girls High SchoolGifted class: Gifted class	Beecroft	93.0%	2024	1,142	1,432
19	Willoughby Girls High SchoolGifted class: Gifted class	Willoughby	93.0%	2024	1,152	1,035
20	Carlingford High SchoolGifted class: Gifted class	Carlingford	92.8%	2024	1,111	1,772
21	Merewether High SchoolFully	Broadmeadow	92.8%	2024	1,206	1,071
22	Cherrybrook Technology High SchoolGifted class: Gifted class	Cherrybrook	92.6%	2024	1,146	2,097
23	Parramatta High SchoolPartially	Parramatta	92.6%	2024	1,132	1,128
24	Chatswood High SchoolPartially	Chatswood	92.3%	2024	1,137	2,146
25	Strathfield Girls High School	Strathfield	92.2%	2024	1,077	1,061
26	Canley Vale High SchoolGifted class: Gifted class	Canley Vale	91.7%	2024	954	1,651
27	Killara High SchoolGifted class: Gifted class	Killara	91.7%	2024	1,147	1,800
28	Tullibigeal Central School	Tullibigeal	91.7%	2024	958	33
29	Epping Boys High SchoolGifted class: Gifted class	Eastwood	91.6%	2024	1,117	1,491
30	Melonba High School	Marsden Park	91.5%	2024	1,073	704
31	Northern Beaches Secondary College Manly CampusFully	North Curl Curl	91.3%	2024	1,217	765
32	Smiths Hill High SchoolFully	Wollongong	91.0%	2024	1,186	735
33	Killarney Heights High School	Killarney Heights	90.9%	2024	1,132	969
34	Lindfield College	Lindfield	90.9%	2024	1,152	802
35	St Ives High School	St Ives	90.8%	2024	1,125	1,750
36	Yanco Agricultural High SchoolAgricultural	Yanco	90.8%	2024	1,009	319
37	Mosman High School	Mosman	90.4%	2024	1,126	1,086
38	Cammeraygal High School	Crows Nest	90.3%	2024	1,135	905
39	Kirrawee High SchoolGifted class: Gifted class	Kirrawee	90.2%	2024	1,092	1,185
40	Pennant Hills High SchoolGifted class: Gifted class	Pennant Hills	90.2%	2024	1,109	1,130
41	Burwood Girls High School	Croydon	89.9%	2024	1,086	1,080
42	Marsden High School	Meadowbank	89.9%	2024	1,050	1,295
43	Tempe High SchoolPartially	Tempe	89.9%	2024	1,096	984
44	Crestwood High SchoolGifted class: Gifted class (reported)	Baulkham Hills	89.8%	2024	1,103	1,021
45	Sefton High SchoolPartially	Sefton	89.7%	2024	1,033	1,121
46	Ariah Park Central School	Ariah Park	89.6%	2024	947	123
47	Cabramatta High SchoolGifted class: Gifted class	Cabramatta	89.5%	2024	934	1,622
48	Glenwood High School	Glenwood	89.5%	2024	1,090	1,506
49	Turramurra High School	South Turramurra	89.5%	2024	1,118	986
50	Castle Hill High SchoolGifted class: Gifted class	Castle Hill	89.4%	2024	1,121	1,842

Most improved attendance

Change in attendance rate over three years, in percentage points. Top 25 of 443 schools with data.

#	School	Suburb	Most improved attendance	ICSEA	Students
1	Boggabilla Central School	Boggabilla	+18.2 pts	670	79
2	Woodenbong Central School	Woodenbong	+14.8 pts	848	159
3	Five Islands Secondary College	Port Kembla	+10.1 pts	983	272
4	Mungindi Central School	Mungindi	+6.9 pts	795	62
5	Lake Cargelligo Central School	Lake Cargelligo	+3.7 pts	858	227
6	Oaklands Central School	Oaklands	+2.9 pts	962	36
7	Richmond High SchoolPartiallyGifted class: Gifted class	Richmond	+2.2 pts	987	750
8	Moree Secondary College	Moree	+2.0 pts	771	359
9	Coonamble High School	Coonamble	+1.8 pts	733	161
10	Bankstown Girls High SchoolGifted class: Gifted class	Bankstown	+1.3 pts	964	551
11	Punchbowl Boys High SchoolGifted class: Gifted class	Punchbowl	+1.2 pts	923	472
12	Airds High School	Campbelltown	+1.0 pts	875	542
13	Galston High School	Galston	+0.6 pts	1,044	570
14	Gulargambone Central School	Gulargambone	+0.5 pts	693	104
15	Tullibigeal Central School	Tullibigeal	+0.5 pts	958	33
16	Bowraville Central School	Bowraville	+0.4 pts	861	206
17	Holsworthy High SchoolGifted class: Gifted class	Holsworthy	+0.4 pts	1,000	693
18	Bankstown Senior College	Bankstown	+0.3 pts	847	544
19	Northmead Creative and Performing Arts High SchoolGifted class: Gifted class	Northmead	+0.2 pts	1,069	1,239
20	The Rivers Secondary College, Lismore High Campus	Lismore	+0.2 pts	934	438
21	Emmaville Central School	Emmaville	+0.1 pts	886	94
22	J J Cahill Memorial High School	Mascot	+0.1 pts	987	298
23	Hastings Secondary College, Westport Campus	Port Macquarie	0.0 pts	919	611
24	Canterbury Boys High SchoolGifted class: Gifted class	Canterbury	-0.1 pts	1,018	422
25	Eden Marine High School	Eden	-0.1 pts	956	536

Fastest growing enrolments

Change in total enrolments over the last five years. Growth usually follows new housing or a change in reputation; check the profile's history. Top 30 of 432 schools with data.

#	School	Suburb	Fastest growing enrolments	ICSEA	Students
1	Inner Sydney High School	Surry Hills	+690%	1,104	1,160
2	Oran Park High SchoolGifted class: Gifted class	Oran Park	+466%	1,002	1,579
3	Lindfield College	Lindfield	+120%	1,152	802
4	Riverstone High SchoolGifted class: HPGE extension class	Riverstone	+114%	979	861
5	Moree Secondary College	Moree	+98%	771	359
6	Pendle Hill High SchoolGifted class: Gifted class	Wentworthville	+75%	1,001	692
7	Granville Boys High SchoolPartiallyGifted class: Gifted class	Granville	+68%	961	832
8	Corrimal High SchoolGifted class: Gifted class	Corrimal	+61%	940	569
9	St Ives High School	St Ives	+58%	1,125	1,750
10	Portland Central School	Portland	+57%	845	203
11	Chifley College Dunheved CampusGifted class: HPGE extension class	North St Marys	+55%	870	586
12	Northern Beaches Secondary College Cromer Campus	Cromer	+55%	1,056	1,156
13	Gulargambone Central School	Gulargambone	+55%	693	104
14	Seven Hills High School	Seven Hills	+51%	969	480
15	Cumberland High School	Carlingford	+51%	1,060	1,172
16	Marsden High School	Meadowbank	+48%	1,050	1,295
17	Arthur Phillip High SchoolGifted class: Gifted class	Parramatta	+47%	994	1,636
18	Alexandria Park Community SchoolPartiallyOC	Alexandria	+44%	1,052	1,312
19	Belmore Boys High School	Belmore	+43%	953	614
20	Rouse Hill High School	Rouse Hill	+42%	1,067	1,314
21	Matraville Sports High School	Chifley	+41%	930	486
22	Bass High School	Bass Hill	+41%	927	871
23	Chatswood High SchoolPartially	Chatswood	+37%	1,137	2,146
24	Blacktown Girls High SchoolPartially	Blacktown	+35%	1,046	1,079
25	Boorowa Central School	Boorowa	+35%	934	240
26	Yanco Agricultural High SchoolAgricultural	Yanco	+35%	1,009	319
27	Marrickville High School	Marrickville	+33%	1,052	624
28	Orara High SchoolGifted class: Gifted class	Coffs Harbour	+32%	896	856
29	Sir Joseph Banks High School	Revesby	+32%	949	945
30	Eagle Vale Sports High School	Eagle Vale	+31%	932	662

Largest schools

Total enrolments in the latest published year. Top 30 of 468 schools with data.

#	School	Suburb	Largest schools	ICSEA	Students
1	The Ponds High SchoolGifted class: Gifted class	The Ponds	2,318	1,118	2,318
2	Chatswood High SchoolPartially	Chatswood	2,146	1,137	2,146
3	Cherrybrook Technology High SchoolGifted class: Gifted class	Cherrybrook	2,097	1,146	2,097
4	Castle Hill High SchoolGifted class: Gifted class	Castle Hill	1,842	1,121	1,842
5	Killara High SchoolGifted class: Gifted class	Killara	1,800	1,147	1,800
6	Carlingford High SchoolGifted class: Gifted class	Carlingford	1,772	1,111	1,772
7	St Ives High School	St Ives	1,750	1,125	1,750
8	Canley Vale High SchoolGifted class: Gifted class	Canley Vale	1,651	954	1,651
9	Bonnyrigg High SchoolPartiallyGifted class: Gifted class	Bonnyrigg	1,641	962	1,641
10	Arthur Phillip High SchoolGifted class: Gifted class	Parramatta	1,636	994	1,636
11	Cabramatta High SchoolGifted class: Gifted class	Cabramatta	1,622	934	1,622
12	Oran Park High SchoolGifted class: Gifted class	Oran Park	1,579	1,002	1,579
13	Westfields Sports High School	Fairfield West	1,538	967	1,538
14	Glenwood High School	Glenwood	1,506	1,090	1,506
15	Epping Boys High SchoolGifted class: Gifted class	Eastwood	1,491	1,117	1,491
16	Ryde Secondary CollegePartially	Ryde	1,486	1,102	1,486
17	Randwick High SchoolGifted class: Gifted class	Randwick	1,460	1,071	1,460
18	Cheltenham Girls High SchoolGifted class: Gifted class	Beecroft	1,432	1,142	1,432
19	Wadalba Community School	Wadalba	1,412	941	1,412
20	Rutherford Technology High School	Rutherford	1,405	922	1,405
21	Elizabeth Macarthur High SchoolPartially	Narellan	1,399	1,014	1,399
22	Endeavour Sports High SchoolGifted class: Gifted class	Caringbah	1,378	1,040	1,378
23	Cecil Hills High School	Cecil Hills	1,340	986	1,340
24	Fairvale High School	Fairfield West	1,320	912	1,320
25	Rouse Hill High School	Rouse Hill	1,314	1,067	1,314
26	Alexandria Park Community SchoolPartiallyOC	Alexandria	1,312	1,052	1,312
27	Marsden High School	Meadowbank	1,295	1,050	1,295
28	Prairiewood High SchoolPartially	Prairiewood	1,284	978	1,284
29	Casula High School	Casula	1,280	957	1,280
30	Northmead Creative and Performing Arts High SchoolGifted class: Gifted class	Northmead	1,239	1,069	1,239

Highest ICSEA

ICSEA measures the educational advantage of the families a school serves. It is not a performance measure; it explains much of what results lists show. Top 50 of 468 schools with data.

#	School	Suburb	Highest ICSEA	Students
1	James Ruse Agricultural High SchoolAgricultural	Carlingford	1,222	857
2	Northern Beaches Secondary College Manly CampusFully	North Curl Curl	1,217	765
3	Hornsby Girls High SchoolFully	Hornsby	1,209	720
4	Normanhurst Boys High SchoolFully	Normanhurst	1,207	752
5	Merewether High SchoolFully	Broadmeadow	1,206	1,071
6	Baulkham Hills High SchoolFully	Baulkham Hills	1,203	1,222
7	North Sydney Girls High SchoolFully	Crows Nest	1,203	911
8	Girraween High SchoolFully	Girraween	1,199	782
9	North Sydney Boys High SchoolFully	North Sydney	1,195	933
10	Conservatorium High School	Sydney	1,194	153
11	Sydney Girls High SchoolFully	Surry Hills	1,193	929
12	Sydney Boys High SchoolFully	Moore Park	1,189	1,202
13	Penrith High SchoolFully	Penrith	1,186	928
14	Smiths Hill High SchoolFully	Wollongong	1,186	735
15	Fort Street High SchoolFully	Petersham	1,176	916
16	Caringbah High SchoolFully	Caringbah	1,172	900
17	Gosford High SchoolFully	Gosford	1,157	1,058
18	Lindfield College	Lindfield	1,152	802
19	Willoughby Girls High SchoolGifted class: Gifted class	Willoughby	1,152	1,035
20	St George Girls High SchoolFully	Kogarah	1,148	908
21	Hurlstone Agricultural High SchoolAgricultural	Glenfield	1,147	934
22	Killara High SchoolGifted class: Gifted class	Killara	1,147	1,800
23	Cherrybrook Technology High SchoolGifted class: Gifted class	Cherrybrook	1,146	2,097
24	Cheltenham Girls High SchoolGifted class: Gifted class	Beecroft	1,142	1,432
25	Chatswood High SchoolPartially	Chatswood	1,137	2,146
26	Sydney Technical High SchoolFully	Bexley	1,136	906
27	Cammeraygal High School	Crows Nest	1,135	905
28	Killarney Heights High School	Killarney Heights	1,132	969
29	Parramatta High SchoolPartially	Parramatta	1,132	1,128
30	Newtown High School of Performing Arts	Newtown	1,127	1,144
31	Mosman High School	Mosman	1,126	1,086
32	St Ives High School	St Ives	1,125	1,750
33	Castle Hill High SchoolGifted class: Gifted class	Castle Hill	1,121	1,842
34	The Ponds High SchoolGifted class: Gifted class	The Ponds	1,118	2,318
35	Turramurra High School	South Turramurra	1,118	986
36	Epping Boys High SchoolGifted class: Gifted class	Eastwood	1,117	1,491
37	Northern Beaches Secondary College Balgowlah Boys Campus	Balgowlah	1,115	1,099
38	Northern Beaches Secondary College Mackellar Girls Campus	Manly Vale	1,115	1,021
39	Riverside Girls High School	Gladesville	1,114	660
40	Sydney Secondary College Balmain CampusPartiallyGifted class: Gifted class	Rozelle	1,112	854
41	Carlingford High SchoolGifted class: Gifted class	Carlingford	1,111	1,772
42	Pennant Hills High SchoolGifted class: Gifted class	Pennant Hills	1,109	1,130
43	Bradfield College	St Leonards	1,108	292
44	Rose Bay Secondary CollegePartiallyGifted class: Gifted class	Dover Heights	1,107	1,125
45	Hunters Hill High SchoolGifted class: HPGE extension class	Hunters Hill	1,104	789
46	Inner Sydney High School	Surry Hills	1,104	1,160
47	Sydney Secondary College Leichhardt CampusPartiallyGifted class: Gifted class	Leichhardt	1,104	784
48	Crestwood High SchoolGifted class: Gifted class (reported)	Baulkham Hills	1,103	1,021
49	Ryde Secondary CollegePartially	Ryde	1,102	1,486
50	Northern Beaches Secondary College Freshwater Senior Campus	Freshwater	1,098	646

Most language diversity

Share of students with a language background other than English. Top 30 of 440 schools with data.

#	School	Suburb	Most language diversity	ICSEA	Students
1	Bankstown Senior College	Bankstown	100%	847	544
2	Belmore Boys High School	Belmore	98%	953	614
3	Auburn Girls High SchoolPartiallyGifted class: Gifted class	Auburn	97%	966	853
4	Girraween High SchoolFully	Girraween	97%	1,199	782
5	James Ruse Agricultural High SchoolAgricultural	Carlingford	97%	1,222	857
6	Parramatta High SchoolPartially	Parramatta	97%	1,132	1,128
7	Canley Vale High SchoolGifted class: Gifted class	Canley Vale	96%	954	1,651
8	Granville Boys High SchoolPartiallyGifted class: Gifted class	Granville	96%	961	832
9	Granville South Creative and Performing Arts High SchoolGifted class: Gifted class	Guildford	96%	855	733
10	Punchbowl Boys High SchoolGifted class: Gifted class	Punchbowl	96%	923	472
11	Wiley Park Girls High School	Punchbowl	96%	954	588
12	Beverly Hills Girls High School	Beverly Hills	95%	1,003	1,003
13	Birrong Boys High School	Birrong	95%	937	366
14	Cabramatta High SchoolGifted class: Gifted class	Cabramatta	95%	934	1,622
15	North Sydney Boys High SchoolFully	North Sydney	95%	1,195	933
16	Sydney Technical High SchoolFully	Bexley	95%	1,136	906
17	Bankstown Girls High SchoolGifted class: Gifted class	Bankstown	94%	964	551
18	Baulkham Hills High SchoolFully	Baulkham Hills	94%	1,203	1,222
19	Fairfield High SchoolGifted class: Gifted class	Fairfield	94%	878	1,123
20	Hornsby Girls High SchoolFully	Hornsby	94%	1,209	720
21	North Sydney Girls High SchoolFully	Crows Nest	94%	1,203	911
22	Penrith High SchoolFully	Penrith	94%	1,186	928
23	Sefton High SchoolPartially	Sefton	94%	1,033	1,121
24	St George Girls High SchoolFully	Kogarah	94%	1,148	908
25	Chester Hill High School	Chester Hill	93%	912	1,056
26	Fairvale High School	Fairfield West	93%	912	1,320
27	Sydney Boys High SchoolFully	Moore Park	93%	1,189	1,202
28	Condell Park High School	Condell Park	92%	936	876
29	Homebush Boys High School	Homebush	92%	1,043	891
30	Macarthur Girls High School	Parramatta	92%	1,071	997