Best High Schools in Sydney 2026: Public, Private and Selective Rankings

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2026-05-08

10 min read

As a parent, choosing the right high school for your child is one of the most important education decisions you will make. You'll likely be looking at a school’s academic results, HSC results, learning environment, subject options, school fees, travel time, school culture and support systems which can all have a lasting impact on your child’s confidence and future pathways. You may be comparing public selective schools, public Sydney schools and private schools.

Many parents use HSC rankings to compare top high schools and which has the highest ATAR outcomes or best university pathways. While these rankings are useful and we dive deep into different comparisons, we'd likely to note that they should not be the only factor in your decision. A strong ATAR pathway, a high number of Band 6 results or a school known for the highest ATAR results does not automatically make that school the best fit for your child. To help you make a more informed choice, we've updated our Sydney high school guide to compare the best high schools in Sydney, including public selective schools, public Sydney schools, private schools and independent schools. We'll also explain how to read the rankings and what else you should consider when choosing a high school for your child.

Quick Answer: What Are the Best High Schools in Sydney in 2026?

In 2026, Sydney’s top-performing high schools are mostly a mix of public selective schools and high-performing private Sydney schools. Top selective public schools include North Sydney Boys High School, James Ruse Agricultural High School, North Sydney Girls High School, Baulkham Hills High School, Hornsby Girls High School, Normanhurst Boys High School, Sydney Boys High School and Sydney Girls High School. Top private and independent schools include Sydney Grammar School, Abbotsleigh, Reddam House, St Aloysius’ College, Pymble Ladies’ College and Knox Grammar School.

students sitting at desks filling in test papers

Best High Schools in Sydney Based on 2025 HSC Results

What is a Band 6 result?

Top 100 High Schools in Sydney

What to Look For in a High School: Context, Consistency and Fit

Best Public High Schools in Sydney

Best Selective High Schools in Sydney

Are Selective Schools Worth It?

How to Get Into a Top Sydney High School with Selective Entry

Best Private High Schools in Sydney

What Private Schools Offer Beyond HSC Results

Best High Schools in Sydney by Area

Best High Schools in North Sydney and the North Shore

Best High Schools in Western Sydney

Best High Schools in the Inner West

Best High Schools in the Eastern Suburbs

Best High Schools in the Northern Beaches

Public vs Public Selective vs Private Sydney School

How to Choose the Best Sydney High School for Your Child

Frequently Asked Questions

Best High Schools in Sydney Based on 2025 HSC Results

The table below compares the best high schools in Sydney based on 2025 HSC rankings data. These rankings are based on the percentage of HSC exams sat that achieved a Distinguished Achievers (DA) result in 2025. In this article, we refer to this as the HSC Band 6 Rate (%) because it shows the percentage of HSC exam entries that achieved a top-band result and we've included comparison columns for 2024 and 2023 to help you see whether each school’s results have been consistent over time.

What is a Band 6 result?

A Band 6 result is the highest performance band a student can achieve in a New South Wales HSC subject. It usually means a student has achieved a mark between 90 and 100 in that subject.

How do we calculate Band 6 Rates (%)?

2025 Band 6 Count (HSC) ÷ 2025 HSC Exams Sat × 100
For example, in 2025, North Sydney Boys High School had 663 Band 6 results out of 926 HSC exams sat, giving it a 2025 HSC Band 6 Rate of 71.6%.

Top 100 High Schools in Sydney

Please kindly note that the table below includes a mix of co-ed schools, girls schools and boys schools across Sydney, so you should consider both academic results and the type of school environment your child is most likely to thrive in.

Rank	School Name	Type	Location	2025 HSC Exams Sat	2025 Band 6 Count (HSC)	2025 HSC Band 6 Rate (%)	2024 HSC Band 6 Rate (%)	2023 HSC Band 6 Rate (%)
1	North Sydney Boys High School	Public selective	Crows Nest, NSW 2065	926	663	71.6%	64.9%	69.0%
2	James Ruse Agricultural High School	Public selective	Carlingford, NSW 2118	1001	705	70.4%	62.9%	60.0%
3	Sydney Grammar School	Private	Darlinghurst, NSW 2010	1251	763	61.0%	56.4%	52.3%
4	North Sydney Girls High School	Public selective	Crows Nest, NSW 2065	908	549	60.5%	50.1%	54.7%
5	Normanhurst Boys High School	Public selective	Normanhurst, NSW 2076	750	433	57.7%	55.0%	46.4%
6	Sydney Boys High School	Public selective	Surry Hills, NSW 2010	1205	653	54.2%	49.4%	42.7%
7	Baulkham Hills High School	Public selective	Baulkham Hills, NSW 2153	1209	623	51.5%	54.1%	55.8%
8	Hornsby Girls High School	Public selective	Hornsby, NSW 2077	711	363	51.1%	52.0%	41.8%
9	St Aloysius’ College	Private	Milsons Point, NSW 2061	1016	488	48.0%	44.7%	52.5%
10	Reddam House	Private	Woollahra, NSW 2025	830	390	47.0%	54.9%	54.2%
11	Abbotsleigh	Private	Wahroonga, NSW 2076	1086	495	45.6%	48.9%	45.7%
12	Ascham School	Private	Edgecliff, NSW 2027	634	288	45.4%	40.7%	40.0%
13	Sydney Girls High School	Public selective	Surry Hills, NSW 2010	999	442	44.2%	43.1%	38.0%
14	Ravenswood School for Girls	Private	Gordon, NSW 2072	806	344	42.7%	29.9%	31.5%
15	Conservatorium High School	Public	Sydney, NSW 2000	235	100	42.6%	45.4%	—
16	Presbyterian Ladies’ College Sydney	Private	Croydon, NSW 2132	922	391	42.4%	33.6%	34.6%
17	Penrith Selective High School	Public selective	Penrith, NSW 2750	917	382	41.7%	35.3%	31.1%
18	Pymble Ladies’ College	Private	Pymble, NSW 2073	1585	644	40.6%	41.5%	38.1%
19	Roseville College	Private	Roseville, NSW 2069	690	280	40.6%	39.4%	31.7%
20	Fort Street High School	Public selective	Petersham, NSW 2049	898	361	40.2%	38.2%	37.5%
21	SCEGGS Darlinghurst	Private	Darlinghurst, NSW 2010	656	256	39.0%	44.3%	46.4%
22	Merewether High School	Public selective	Broadmeadow, NSW 2292	1041	403	38.7%	35.7%	27.2%
23	Al-Faisal College	Private	Minto, NSW 2566	710	274	38.6%	—	—
24	Al-Faisal College Auburn	Private	Auburn, NSW 2144	710	274	38.6%	41.4%	41.7%
25	Meriden School	Private	Strathfield, NSW 2135	1186	452	38.1%	48.1%	44.4%
26	Northern Beaches Secondary College Manly Campus	Public selective	North Curl Curl, NSW 2099	784	298	38.0%	44.6%	38.7%
27	Girraween High School	Public selective	Girraween, NSW 2145	801	303	37.8%	35.1%	32.5%
28	SHORE – Sydney Church of England Grammar School	Private	North Sydney, NSW 2060	1237	465	37.6%	39.3%	37.4%
29	Alpha Omega Senior College	Private	Auburn, NSW 2144	671	242	36.1%	42.5%	35.4%
30	Knox Grammar School	Private	Wahroonga, NSW 2076	2013	724	36.0%	42.9%	45.6%
31	Loreto Kirribilli	Private	Kirribilli, NSW 2061	821	291	35.4%	41.5%	37.8%
32	Caringbah High School	Public selective	Caringbah, NSW 2229	876	301	34.4%	20.7%	28.0%
33	Queenwood	Private	Mosman, NSW 2088	519	177	34.1%	33.6%	27.8%
34	Gosford High School	Public selective	Gosford, NSW 2250	993	336	33.8%	26.0%	22.9%
35	Kincoppal-Rose Bay School of the Sacred Heart	Private	Rose Bay, NSW 2029	628	212	33.8%	23.4%	26.3%
36	Wenona School	Private	North Sydney, NSW 2060	954	322	33.8%	39.3%	34.1%
37	Kambala	Private	Rose Bay, NSW 2029	451	152	33.7%	45.9%	35.7%
38	Northholm Grammar School	Private	Arcadia, NSW 2159	244	81	33.2%	35.1%	27.1%
39	St Catherine’s School	Private	Waverley, NSW 2024	703	233	33.1%	39.5%	38.0%
40	Tara Anglican School for Girls	Private	North Parramatta, NSW 2151	567	184	32.5%	23.5%	34.1%
41	Loreto Normanhurst	Private	Normanhurst, NSW 2076	1008	316	31.4%	23.9%	26.8%
42	Al Noori Muslim School	Private	Greenacre, NSW 2190	674	208	30.9%	30.4%	40.5%
43	The King’s School	Private	North Parramatta, NSW 2151	1353	417	30.8%	34.3%	35.5%
44	Hurlstone Agricultural High School	Public selective	Glenfield, NSW 2167	1041	306	29.4%	28.6%	29.2%
45	Parramatta Marist High School	Private	Westmead, NSW 2145	724	212	29.3%	25.1%	21.7%
46	St George Girls High School	Public selective	Kogarah, NSW 2217	858	249	29.0%	32.2%	24.0%
47	Sydney Technical High School	Public selective	Bexley, NSW 2207	817	234	28.6%	26.8%	24.6%
48	Cranbrook School	Private	Bellevue Hill, NSW 2023	981	279	28.4%	28.6%	29.0%
49	Brigidine College St Ives	Private	St Ives, NSW 2075	818	228	27.9%	18.7%	19.7%
50	Monte Sant’ Angelo Mercy College	Private	North Sydney, NSW 2060	944	260	27.5%	23.6%	20.6%
51	Barker College	Private	Hornsby, NSW 2077	1963	540	27.5%	27.6%	29.7%
52	Emanuel School	Private	Randwick, NSW 2031	480	130	27.1%	28.6%	22.8%
53	Newington College	Private	Stanmore, NSW 2048	1046	281	26.9%	—	—
54	Brigidine College Randwick	Private	Randwick, NSW 2031	668	178	26.7%	23.5%	26.3%
55	Tangara School for Girls	Private	Cherrybrook, NSW 2126	234	60	25.6%	20.0%	23.0%
56	The Illawarra Grammar School	Private	West Wollongong, NSW 2500	472	120	25.4%	21.9%	—
57	Frensham School	Private	Mittagong, NSW 2575	382	96	25.1%	27.0%	27.0%
58	Willoughby Girls High School	Public	Willoughby, NSW 2068	757	189	25.0%	25.3%	24.3%
59	MLC School	Private	Burwood, NSW 2134	477	119	25.0%	—	23.8%
60	St Ignatius’ College	Private	Lane Cove, NSW 2066	1335	333	24.9%	22.7%	21.7%
61	Moriah College	Private	Bondi Junction, NSW 2022	552	137	24.8%	34.6%	34.3%
62	Newcastle Grammar School	Private	Newcastle, NSW 2300	668	165	24.7%	20.2%	25.8%
63	Smith’s Hill High School	Public	Wollongong, NSW 2500	751	185	24.6%	25.5%	26.8%
64	Northern Beaches Secondary College Balgowlah Boys Campus	Public	Balgowlah, NSW 2093	796	195	24.5%	23.8%	25.3%
65	Chatswood High School	Public selective	Chatswood, NSW 2067	1526	368	24.1%	25.1%	23.0%
66	St Luke’s Grammar School	Private	Dee Why, NSW 2099	735	173	23.5%	28.2%	29.7%
67	St Vincent’s College	Private	Potts Point, NSW 2011	786	185	23.5%	20.1%	24.2%
68	St Patrick’s College Strathfield	Private	Strathfield, NSW 2135	1056	248	23.5%	19.4%	—
69	Masada College	Private	St Ives, NSW 2075	244	57	23.4%	32.6%	22.6%
70	Marist Catholic College North Shore	Private	North Sydney, NSW 2060	531	123	23.2%	21.4%	—
71	Danebank – An Anglican School for Girls	Private	Hurstville, NSW 2220	419	95	22.7%	26.8%	21.9%
72	St Augustine’s College	Private	Brookvale, NSW 2100	1038	235	22.6%	24.2%	17.7%
73	St Joseph’s College	Private	Hunters Hill, NSW 2110	1037	233	22.5%	19.6%	19.8%
74	Cherrybrook Technology High School	Public	Cherrybrook, NSW 2126	1764	391	22.2%	—	—
75	St Andrew’s Cathedral School	Private	Sydney, NSW 2000	669	148	22.1%	—	18.6%
76	Cheltenham Girls High School	Public	Beecroft, NSW 2119	1251	276	22.1%	25.2%	18.3%
77	Mount St Benedict College	Private	Pennant Hills, NSW 2120	839	185	22.1%	21.1%	18.9%
78	St Clare’s College	Private	Waverley, NSW 2024	611	133	21.8%	27.5%	21.2%
79	Sefton High School	Public selective	Sefton, NSW 2162	957	206	21.5%	—	—
80	Santa Sabina College	Private	Strathfield, NSW 2135	684	147	21.5%	20.0%	30.2%
81	Bethany College	Private	Hurstville, NSW 2220	858	184	21.5%	20.3%	17.3%
82	The Scots College	Private	Bellevue Hill, NSW 2023	1172	250	21.3%	29.2%	26.1%
83	Pittwater House Schools	Private	Collaroy, NSW 2097	564	118	20.9%	27.0%	17.7%
84	Waverley College	Private	Waverley, NSW 2024	929	190	20.5%	—	—
85	International Grammar School	Private	Ultimo, NSW 2007	590	120	20.3%	20.8%	—
86	Georges River Grammar	Private	Georges Hall, NSW 2198	434	88	20.3%	—	17.4%
87	Lindfield Learning Village	Public	Lindfield, NSW 2070	222	45	20.3%	17.1%	—
88	Oxley College	Private	Burradoo, NSW 2576	403	81	20.1%	17.9%	—
89	St Mark’s Coptic Orthodox College	Private	Wattle Grove, NSW 2173	283	56	19.8%	—	—
90	Killarney Heights High School	Public	Killarney Heights, NSW 2087	827	162	19.6%	—	—
91	St Spyridon College	Private	Maroubra, NSW 2035	363	71	19.6%	20.7%	19.1%
92	Central Coast Grammar School	Private	Erina Heights, NSW 2260	653	127	19.5%	28.1%	25.6%
93	Rose Bay Secondary College	Public	Dover Heights, NSW 2030	979	190	19.4%	—	—
94	Parramatta High School	Public	Parramatta, NSW 2150	1023	198	19.4%	18.0%	—
95	Stella Maris College	Private	Manly, NSW 2095	589	114	19.4%	18.6%	23.2%
96	Our Lady of Mercy College Parramatta	Private	Parramatta, NSW 2150	865	167	19.3%	22.8%	20.9%
97	Cammeraygal High School	Public	Crows Nest, NSW 2065	750	142	18.9%	—	18.5%
98	Marist College Penshurst	Private	Mortdale, NSW 2223	804	146	18.2%	18.1%	—
99	Epping Boys High School	Public	Eastwood, NSW 2122	1230	218	17.7%	24.9%	18.8%
100	Mercy Catholic College	Private	Chatswood, NSW 2067	713	126	17.7%	—	—

Key takeaways

The strongest public schools in Sydney are mostly public selective schools
North Sydney Boys High School, James Ruse Agricultural High School and North Sydney Girls High School led the public school rankings in 2025.

What to Look For in a High School: Context, Consistency and Fit

Although a school’s HSC ranking in one year can be useful, it should not be the only factor you rely on. HSC results can also change from year to year depending on the size of the Year 12 cohort, subject choices, student strengths and the number of exam entries. A school may have one very strong year because of a particularly high-achieving cohort. Another school may rank slightly lower in 2025 but show steady results across three years.

When reviewing the table, look for:

School type: This helps you compare public selective, public and private schools.
Location: This helps you assess travel time, school catchments, public transport and whether the daily commute is realistic for your child.
2025 HSC Exams Sat: This gives context. A school with more exam entries achieved its result across a larger number of subject attempts.
2025 Band 6 Count (HSC): This shows the total number of high-scoring HSC subject results.
2025, 2024 and 2023 HSC Band 6 Rate (%): This helps you compare academic consistency across multiple years.

It is also worth considering whether a school’s results match the type of learning environment your child needs. A highly ranked school may be a strong option if your child enjoys academic challenge. However, it may not be the best fit if your child needs more support, balance or confidence-building.

Should I also consider a high school's NAPLAN results and ICSEA score?

If you want to look at the 2025 NAPLAN results and ICSEA score of a specific high school in Sydney, as well as other data like student attendance, cohort size and general profile information, look at the My School website.

ICSEA stands for the Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage. It gives context about the socio-educational background of students at a school.

While ICSEA is not a measure of school quality, teaching quality or school performance, it can help you make fairer comparisons between schools as academic results are often influenced by the background of the student population.

Best Public High Schools in Sydney

If you're looking at a Sydney public high school for your child, many of the top public high schools are public selective schools. These schools enrol academically high-potential students through a competitive placement process, often requiring strong results in a selective entrance exam.

The top public high schools in Sydney include:

Public School Rank	School	School Type	Location	2025 HSC Band 6 Rate (%)	2024 HSC Band 6 Rate (%)	2023 HSC Band 6 Rate (%)
1	North Sydney Boys High School	Public selective	Crows Nest, NSW 2065	71.6%	64.9%	69.0%
2	James Ruse Agricultural High School	Public selective	Carlingford, NSW 2118	70.4%	62.9%	60.0%
3	North Sydney Girls High School	Public selective	Crows Nest, NSW 2065	60.5%	50.1%	54.7%
4	Normanhurst Boys High School	Public selective	Normanhurst, NSW 2076	57.7%	55.0%	46.4%
5	Sydney Boys High School	Public selective	Surry Hills, NSW 2010	54.2%	49.4%	42.7%
6	Baulkham Hills High School	Public selective	Baulkham Hills, NSW 2153	51.5%	54.1%	55.8%
7	Hornsby Girls High School	Public selective	Hornsby, NSW 2077	51.1%	52.0%	41.8%
8	Sydney Girls High School	Public selective	Surry Hills, NSW 2010	44.2%	43.1%	38.0%
9	Conservatorium High School	Public	Sydney, NSW 2000	42.6%	45.4%	—
10	Penrith Selective High School	Public selective	Penrith, NSW 2750	41.7%	35.3%	31.1%
11	Fort Street High School	Public selective	Petersham, NSW 2049	40.2%	38.2%	37.5%
12	Northern Beaches Secondary College Manly Campus	Public selective	North Curl Curl, NSW 2099	38.0%	44.6%	38.7%
13	Girraween High School	Public selective	Girraween, NSW 2145	37.8%	35.1%	32.5%
14	Caringbah High School	Public selective	Caringbah, NSW 2229	34.4%	20.7%	28.0%
15	Hurlstone Agricultural High School	Public selective	Glenfield, NSW 2167	29.4%	28.6%	29.2%

Key takeaways

The strongest public schools in Sydney are mostly public selective schools, with North Sydney Boys High School, James Ruse Agricultural High School and North Sydney Girls High School leading the 2025 rankings.
From 2023-2025, North Sydney Boys High School remained one of the top-performing schools , while James Ruse Agricultural High School increased from 60.0% in 2023 to 62.9% in 2024 and 70.4% in 2025.

Best Selective High Schools in Sydney

Selective high schools can be a strong option if your child enjoys academic challenge, independent learning and being surrounded by other high-achieving students. However, selective schools can also be competitive and academically demanding, so it is important to consider whether the environment will motivate or overwhelm your child.

The top selective high schools in Sydney include:

Selective School Rank	School	School Type	Location	2025 HSC Band 6 Rate (%)	2024 HSC Band 6 Rate (%)	2023 HSC Band 6 Rate (%)
1	North Sydney Boys High School	Public selective	Crows Nest, NSW 2065	71.6%	64.9%	69.0%
2	James Ruse Agricultural High School	Public selective	Carlingford, NSW 2118	70.4%	62.9%	60.0%
3	North Sydney Girls High School	Public selective	Crows Nest, NSW 2065	60.5%	50.1%	54.7%
4	Normanhurst Boys High School	Public selective	Normanhurst, NSW 2076	57.7%	55.0%	46.4%
5	Sydney Boys High School	Public selective	Surry Hills, NSW 2010	54.2%	49.4%	42.7%
6	Baulkham Hills High School	Public selective	Baulkham Hills, NSW 2153	51.5%	54.1%	55.8%
7	Hornsby Girls High School	Public selective	Hornsby, NSW 2077	51.1%	52.0%	41.8%
8	Sydney Girls High School	Public selective	Surry Hills, NSW 2010	44.2%	43.1%	38.0%
9	Penrith Selective High School	Public selective	Penrith, NSW 2750	41.7%	35.3%	31.1%
10	Fort Street High School	Public selective	Petersham, NSW 2049	40.2%	38.2%	37.5%
11	Merewether High School	Public selective	Broadmeadow, NSW 2292	38.7%	35.7%	27.2%
12	Northern Beaches Secondary College Manly Campus	Public selective	North Curl Curl, NSW 2099	38.0%	44.6%	38.7%
13	Girraween High School	Public selective	Girraween, NSW 2145	37.8%	35.1%	32.5%
14	Caringbah High School	Public selective	Caringbah, NSW 2229	34.4%	20.7%	28.0%
15	Gosford High School	Public selective	Gosford, NSW 2250	33.8%	26.0%	22.9%
16	Hurlstone Agricultural High School	Public selective	Glenfield, NSW 2167	29.4%	28.6%	29.2%
17	St George Girls High School	Public selective	Kogarah, NSW 2217	29.0%	32.2%	24.0%
18	Sydney Technical High School	Public selective	Bexley, NSW 2207	28.6%	26.8%	24.6%
19	Chatswood High School	Public selective	Chatswood, NSW 2067	24.1%	25.1%	23.0%
20	Sefton High School	Public selective	Sefton, NSW 2162	21.5%	—	—

Key takeaways

North Sydney Boys High School and James Ruse Agricultural High School were the top two selective schools in Sydney based on 2025 HSC Band 6 Rate.
Several selective schools showed strong three-year performance, including North Sydney Boys High School, Baulkham Hills High School, Fort Street High School and Northern Beaches Secondary College Manly Campus.
Some selective schools improved significantly in 2025 compared with earlier years. For example, Caringbah High School increased from 20.7% in 2024 to 34.4% in 2025.

Are Selective Schools Worth It?

Selective high schools can be worth it if your child is academically ready, emotionally resilient and motivated by challenge as these schools often provide a fast-paced learning environment, strong academic expectations and a peer group of high-achieving students.

A selective school may be a strong fit if your child:

enjoys academic challenge
is self-motivated
manages pressure well
responds positively to competition
enjoys being around high-achieving peers
can cope with not always being at the top of the class
has strong foundations in reading, writing, maths and problem-solving

A selective school may not be the best fit if your child:

becomes overwhelmed by pressure
loses confidence when comparing themselves to others
needs a slower or more nurturing learning environment
is already anxious about tests and school performance
would have a long and tiring commute
is choosing the school mainly because of pressure or prestige

Is it hard to get into a selective high school in Sydney?

Getting into a selective high school mostly require strong results in report cards, a selective school entry test and sometimes your child's recent NAPLAN results. To go down the selective high school pathway in NSW, your child needs to prepare for their selective tests early.

To get strong results in these selective entrance exams, your child needs strong fundamental knowledge, reading comprehension, problem-solving, writing skills and exam-confidence skills. These skills can support their learning well beyond the Selective High School Placement Test.

What about partially selective high schools?

In these schools, some students are enrolled through selective entry while the rest of the school operates as a local public school. This can be a useful option if your child may benefit from an academically extended stream while still being part of a broader school community.

How to Get Into a Top Sydney High School with Selective Entry

Selective school entrance tests can be highly competitive, so preparation should focus on long-term skill-building rather than last-minute practice tests. Practice papers can be useful, but they are most effective when your child already has strong reading, writing, maths and problem-solving foundations.

Build Strong Foundations Before Year 7

Many students struggle in high school not because they are not capable, but because gaps from earlier years become more obvious. If you are wondering how to support your child before high school, the most helpful step is to build core skills early.

Before Year 7, we'd recommend that your child focuses on:

reading regularly and building vocabulary
writing clearly and with structure
strengthening core maths skills
solving multi-step problems
explaining their reasoning
building confidence with unfamiliar questions

Prepare Early for Selective School Entry

For selective school entry, your child will need to develop the thinking skills behind the selective test, including:

reading complex texts
identifying key details quickly
solving logic-based maths questions
writing under time limits
managing exam nerves
reviewing mistakes properly

Selective entry practice tests

Practice tests can usually be obtained from companies who are responsible for making the selective school exam your child will sit (like the HAST test from ACER).

Get Tutoring Support If Your Child Is Falling Behind

Whether your child is in primary school or already in high school and falling behind, it is usually better to act early. Waiting until Year 11 or Year 12 can also make gaps harder to close.

Tutoring can help your child:

rebuild confidence
catch up on missed foundations
prepare for exams
improve writing and problem-solving
develop better study habits
feel more in control at school

Over the years, we've helped many students successfully get into selective high schools in Sydney. Book a free 1-hour online lesson with a private tutor today.

Best Private High Schools in Sydney

The best private high schools in Sydney often combine strong HSC results with extensive extracurricular opportunities, leadership programs, facilities, pastoral care and subject choice.

The top private high schools in Sydney include:

Private School Rank	School	School Type	Location	2025 HSC Band 6 Rate (%)	2024 HSC Band 6 Rate (%)	2023 HSC Band 6 Rate (%)
1	Sydney Grammar School	Private	Darlinghurst, NSW 2010	61.0%	56.4%	52.3%
2	St Aloysius’ College	Private	Milsons Point, NSW 2061	48.0%	44.7%	52.5%
3	Reddam House	Private	Woollahra, NSW 2025	47.0%	54.9%	54.2%
4	Abbotsleigh	Private	Wahroonga, NSW 2076	45.6%	48.9%	45.7%
5	Ascham School	Private	Edgecliff, NSW 2027	45.4%	40.7%	40.0%
6	Ravenswood School for Girls	Private	Gordon, NSW 2072	42.7%	29.9%	31.5%
7	Presbyterian Ladies’ College Sydney	Private	Croydon, NSW 2132	42.4%	33.6%	34.6%
8	Pymble Ladies’ College	Private	Pymble, NSW 2073	40.6%	41.5%	38.1%
9	Roseville College	Private	Roseville, NSW 2069	40.6%	39.4%	31.7%
10	SCEGGS Darlinghurst	Private	Darlinghurst, NSW 2010	39.0%	44.3%	46.4%
11	Meriden School	Private	Strathfield, NSW 2135	38.1%	48.1%	44.4%
12	SHORE – Sydney Church of England Grammar School	Private	North Sydney, NSW 2060	37.6%	39.3%	37.4%
13	Knox Grammar School	Private	Wahroonga, NSW 2076	36.0%	42.9%	45.6%
14	Loreto Kirribilli	Private	Kirribilli, NSW 2061	35.4%	41.5%	37.8%
15	Queenwood	Private	Mosman, NSW 2088	34.1%	33.6%	27.8%

Key takeaways

Sydney Grammar School was the highest-ranked private school in Sydney based on 2025 HSC Band 6 Rate.
Several private schools performed strongly across multiple years, including Sydney Grammar School, Abbotsleigh, Reddam House, Pymble Ladies’ College and SHORE.
Some private schools had a noticeable increase in 2025. For example, Ravenswood School for Girls increased from 29.9% in 2024 to 42.7% in 2025.

What Private Schools Offer Beyond HSC Results

Private schools are often chosen for more than academic rankings. Depending on the school, you may value:

smaller class sizes
extensive sport programs
music, drama and debating opportunities
leadership development
strong pastoral care and student support
modern facilities
broader subject choice
accelerated learning or academic extension opportunities
alumni networks
structured communication with parents

If you're wondering how to choose a private high school in Sydney,we'd recommend to look closely at private school fees, school values, student support, subject choice, co-curricular programs, university pathway guidance and whether the school environment suits your child’s personality. A private school may be worth it if you are paying for something your child will genuinely use and benefit from, such as music, sport, leadership, pastoral care, subject choice or a particular school culture. However, if your child is already thriving in a public school, has strong study habits and feels supported, a private school is not automatically the better option.

Best High Schools in Sydney by Area

When looking at Sydney high school options, you may want to compare schools by location, especially when travel time, public transport and school catchments are important. A school might also look excellent on paper, but if your child has a long commute every day, this can affect their sleep, homework, sport, wellbeing and family routine.

We've provided a short area-based summary below to help you narrow down schools based on travel time, school catchment areas, local intake area rules, private school fees and whether out-of-area enrolment is realistic.

Best High Schools in North Sydney and the North Shore

The North Shore is home to many of Sydney’s strongest-performing schools, including:

North Sydney Boys High School
North Sydney Girls High School
Normanhurst Boys High School
Hornsby Girls High School
Abbotsleigh
Ravenswood School for Girls
Pymble Ladies’ College
Knox Grammar School
Roseville College
SHORE

This area is especially strong if you are considering public selective schools and high-performing independent schools.

Best High Schools in Western Sydney

Western Sydney also includes several academically strong schools, particularly selective schools.

Top options include:

James Ruse Agricultural High School
Baulkham Hills High School
Penrith Selective High School
Girraween High School
Hurlstone Agricultural High School
Parramatta Marist High School
Tara Anglican School for Girls
The King’s School

James Ruse Agricultural High School and Baulkham Hills High School have consistently been among the strongest academic performers in NSW.

Best High Schools in the Inner West

If you are looking at the Inner West, you may consider schools such as:

Fort Street High School
Meriden School
Newington College
Presbyterian Ladies’ College Sydney
MLC School
Santa Sabina College
St Patrick’s College Strathfield

The Inner West can be a strong option if you are looking for a mix of selective, independent, Catholic and public Sydney school pathways.

Best High Schools in the Eastern Suburbs

The Eastern Suburbs includes several well-known private and independent schools, including:

Sydney Grammar School
Ascham School
SCEGGS Darlinghurst
Reddam House
Kincoppal-Rose Bay School
Kambala
Cranbrook School
Moriah College
Emanuel School
St Catherine’s School

If you are comparing schools in this area, consider HSC results alongside school culture, fees, subject choice and extracurricular programs.

Best High Schools in the Northern Beaches

The Northern Beaches includes strong public and independent options, including:

Northern Beaches Secondary College Manly Campus
Northern Beaches Secondary College Balgowlah Boys Campus
St Luke’s Grammar School
St Augustine’s College
Pittwater House
Stella Maris College

Northern Beaches Secondary College Manly Campus was one of the strongest-performing public options in the area, with a 2025 HSC Band 6 Rate of 38.0%.

Public vs Public Selective vs Private Sydney School

When comparing a public Sydney school, public selective Sydney school and private Sydney school, we've outlined some important factors to consider below:

Factor	Public Sydney School	Public Selective Sydney School	Private Sydney School
Cost	Low	Low	High
Entry	Usually catchment or local enrolment	Competitive test	Application, interview and fees
Academic environment	Varies by school	Usually very competitive	Varies by school
Extracurriculars	Varies by school	Varies by school	Often extensive
Best for	Students who benefit from local convenience, balance and community	High-achieving, self-motivated students	Families wanting facilities, networks and broader programs

How to Choose the Best Sydney High School for Your Child

The best Sydney high school for your child is not always the school with the highest HSC Band 6 Rate. A school can be academically impressive but still not suit your child’s personality, confidence, interests or wellbeing.

Your situation	What to prioritise	Schools to consider	Questions to ask
Your child is in Year 4–6	Foundations, fit and confidence	Public selective, local public Sydney schools, Catholic, independent and private Sydney schools	Does my child enjoy challenge? Are they ready for selective preparation?
Your child is aiming for selective entry	Reading, writing, maths reasoning and exam stamina	Fully selective and partially selective Sydney schools	Can my child manage pressure and unfamiliar questions?
Your child is already in high school	Subjects, support, wellbeing and social adjustment	Current school or alternative public/private Sydney schools	Would switching solve the issue, or would support at the current school be better?
Your child is bright but easily stressed	Confidence, support and manageable pressure	Schools with strong wellbeing support	Will this school challenge my child without overwhelming them?
Your child has strong extracurricular interests	Academics plus sport, arts, leadership or clubs	Private, specialist or well-resourced public Sydney schools	Does the school offer the activities my child cares about?
Should we go public selective or private?	Academic fit, wellbeing, cost and opportunities	Public selective and private Sydney schools	Do we want a highly academic peer group, broader programs or both?

Final Thoughts

In 2026, the best high schools in Sydney include a mix of public selective schools, private schools, independent schools and strong public Sydney schools. Based on 2025 HSC rankings data, North Sydney Boys High School, James Ruse Agricultural High School, Sydney Grammar School, North Sydney Girls High School and Normanhurst Boys High School were among the strongest academic performers.
The best school for your child is not always the highest-ranked school. A ranking can show academic performance, but it cannot show whether your child will feel confident, supported and motivated there.
When choosing a high school, consider academic fit, school culture, wellbeing support, travel time, subject choice, extracurricular opportunities, your child’s confidence and your family’s values.
If your child is preparing for selective school entry, starting high school, changing schools or working towards stronger HSC results, personalised tutoring can help them build the skills and confidence they need to succeed.
A school should help your child grow, not just compete.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top high schools in Sydney?

The top high schools in Sydney include North Sydney Boys High School, James Ruse Agricultural High School, Sydney Grammar School, North Sydney Girls High School, Normanhurst Boys High School, Sydney Boys High School, Baulkham Hills High School and Hornsby Girls High School.

What is the hardest high school to get into in Sydney?

James Ruse Agricultural High School is often considered one of the hardest high schools to get into in Sydney because it is a highly competitive selective school with a long history of strong academic results. Other highly competitive selective schools include North Sydney Boys High School, North Sydney Girls High School, Baulkham Hills High School, Sydney Boys High School and Sydney Girls High School.

What is the best public high school in Sydney?

The best public high school in Sydney for 2026 is North Sydney Boys High School, followed by James Ruse Agricultural High School and North Sydney Girls High School. Most of the highest-ranking public schools in Sydney are public selective schools.

What is the best private high school in Sydney?

The best private high school in Sydney for 2026 is Sydney Grammar School, with a 2025 HSC Band 6 Rate of 61.0%. Other high-performing private Sydney schools include St Aloysius’ College, Reddam House, Abbotsleigh, Ascham School, Pymble Ladies’ College and Knox Grammar School.

What is the best selective high school in Sydney?

The highest-ranked selective school in Sydney is North Sydney Boys High School, followed closely by James Ruse Agricultural High School and North Sydney Girls High School. Other strong selective schools include Normanhurst Boys High School, Sydney Boys High School, Baulkham Hills High School, Hornsby Girls High School and Sydney Girls High School.

How hard is it to get into a selective high school in Sydney?

Selective high school entry in Sydney is competitive because your child usually needs strong results in selective school entry tests. A good selective school score usually comes from strong reading comprehension, writing, maths reasoning, problem-solving and confidence under exam conditions.

Are selective schools better than private schools?

Selective schools are not automatically better than private schools. Selective schools can be excellent if your child is academically advanced and enjoys challenge, while private schools may offer broader extracurricular programs, facilities, pastoral care, school values and university pathway support. The best choice depends on your child’s personality, confidence, learning needs and wellbeing.

Are private schools worth it in Sydney?

Private schools may be worth it if your family values facilities, extracurricular programs, pastoral care, school values, subject choice, student support or university pathway guidance. However, your child can also achieve excellent academic results in a public Sydney school or public selective Sydney school, so the best choice depends on your child’s needs and your family’s priorities.

How do I choose a high school in Sydney?

To choose a high school in Sydney, compare academic results, school type, location, travel time, subject options, student support, school culture, school values, fees and whether your child would feel confident and supported there. The highest-ranked school is not always the best fit for your child.

When should I apply for a high school in Sydney?

Application timelines vary depending on the school type. Selective school entry, private school applications, scholarship testing and Year 7 enrolment can all have different dates, so you should check school and government deadlines early. If you are considering a public Sydney school, also check the school’s catchment area, local intake area and whether out-of-area enrolment is available.

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Best High Schools in Sydney 2026: Public, Private and Selective Rankings

Quick Answer: What Are the Best High Schools in Sydney in 2026?

Table of Contents

Best High Schools in Sydney Based on 2025 HSC Results

What is a Band 6 result?

How do we calculate Band 6 Rates (%)?

Top 100 High Schools in Sydney

Key takeaways

What to Look For in a High School: Context, Consistency and Fit

Should I also consider a high school's NAPLAN results and ICSEA score?

Best Public High Schools in Sydney

Key takeaways

Best Selective High Schools in Sydney

Key takeaways

Are Selective Schools Worth It?

Is it hard to get into a selective high school in Sydney?

What about partially selective high schools?

How to Get Into a Top Sydney High School with Selective Entry

Build Strong Foundations Before Year 7

Prepare Early for Selective School Entry

Selective entry practice tests

Get Tutoring Support If Your Child Is Falling Behind

Best Private High Schools in Sydney

Key takeaways

What Private Schools Offer Beyond HSC Results

Best High Schools in Sydney by Area

Best High Schools in North Sydney and the North Shore

Best High Schools in Western Sydney

Best High Schools in the Inner West

Best High Schools in the Eastern Suburbs

Best High Schools in the Northern Beaches

Public vs Public Selective vs Private Sydney School

How to Choose the Best Sydney High School for Your Child

Final Thoughts

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top high schools in Sydney?

What is the hardest high school to get into in Sydney?

What is the best public high school in Sydney?

What is the best private high school in Sydney?

What is the best selective high school in Sydney?

How hard is it to get into a selective high school in Sydney?

Are selective schools better than private schools?

Are private schools worth it in Sydney?

How do I choose a high school in Sydney?

When should I apply for a high school in Sydney?

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