If you’re unsure about which high school to send your child to, the NSW 2024 high school rankings may help guide your decision. But what do these rankings actually mean? The top-ranked high schools in NSW have become a significant factor in families’ choices about education. But are they the ultimate measure of a school’s success? What should you consider when reviewing these rankings, and how can you ensure that your child’s individual needs are being met regardless of where their school sits on the list?
In this one-stop blog post, we’ll discuss the top-ranking high schools in NSW and inform you of the important factors to consider in choosing the best fit for your child.
How are high schools ranked in NSW?
While the top-ranked high schools in NSW are primarily based on academic performance, measured by the Higher School Certificate (HSC) scores, this is not the only factor considered when ranking. High schools are ranked for the following factors:
- Overall HSC results — Schools are ranked according to the percentage of students achieving top-band results in their HSC exams, offering a snapshot of the academic strength of each school.
- Student success rate — The success rate is determined by the percentage of students who achieve success and qualify for university entry. This number indicates how well the school invests time and effort in preparing students for secondary education.
- Number of students — Simply put, this number indicates how many students are sitting their HSC exam. While a larger number of students can indicate more state-of-the-art academic resources and support, larger class sizes may also limit your child’s one-on-one interaction with their teacher. It’s important to consider your child’s individual needs to make the right decision. Or perhaps they would benefit from personalised 1-on-1 tutoring outside of class.
NSW high school rankings 2024
Without further ado, here are the 20 top-ranked high schools in NSW:
1. North Sydney Boys High School
- Success Rate — 69.0%
- High Score — 658
- HSC Students — 158
- Total HSC Exam Entries — 955
2. James Ruse Agricultural High School
- Success Rate — 60.0%
- High Score — 598
- HSC Students — 158
- Total HSC Exam Entries — 996
- Success Rate — 55.8%
- High Score — 675
- HSC Students — 200
- Total HSC Exam Entries — 1210
4. North Sydney Girls High School
- Success Rate — 54.7%
- High Score — 497
- HSC Students — 153
- Total HSC Exam Entries — 909
5. Reddam House
- Success Rate — 54.2%
- High Score — 371
- HSC Students — 122
- Total HSC Exam Entries — 684
- Success Rate — 52.5%
- High Score — 498
- HSC Students — 157
- Total HSC Exam Entries — 948
- Success Rate — 52.3%
- High Score — 618
- HSC Students — 134
- Total HSC Exam Entries — 786
8. Normanhurst Boys High School
- Success Rate — 46.4%
- High Score — 365
- HSC Students — 130
- Total HSC Exam Entries — 812
- Success Rate — 46.4%
- High Score — 307
- HSC Students — 110
- Total HSC Exam Entries — 682
10. Abbotsleigh
- Success Rate — 45.7%
- High Score — 499
- HSC Students — 179
- Total HSC Exam Entries — 1093
- Success Rate — 45.6%
- High Score — 979
- HSC Students — 397
- Total HSC Exam Entries — 2145
12. Meriden School
- Success Rate — 44.4%
- High Score — 410
- HSC Students — 161
- Total HSC Exam Entries — 924
- Success Rate — 42.7%
High Score — 536
HSC Students — 214
Total HSC Exam Entries — 1254
- High Score — 296
- HSC Students — 119
- Total HSC Exam Entries — 709
15. Al-Faisal College — Auburn
- High Score — 250
- HSC Students — 116
- Total HSC Exam Entries — 599
- Location — Auburn
- Success Rate — 40.5%
- High Score — 231
- HSC Students — 116
- Total HSC Exam Entries — 571
17. Ascham School
- Success Rate — 40.0%
- High Score — 261
- HSC Students — 117
- Total HSC Exam Entries — 652
18. Northern Beaches Secondary College Manly Campus
- Success Rate — 38.7%
- High Score — 287
- HSC Students — 126
- Total HSC Exam Entries — 741
- Success Rate: 38.1%
- High Score: 332
- HSC Students: 276
- Total HSC Exam Entries: 1538
- Success Rate — 38.0%
- High Score — 370
- HSC Students — 205
- Total HSC Exam Entries — 1365
While rankings do serve as a useful reference point for comparing academic outcomes for academically driven students, it’s important to remember that they don’t paint the full picture of a school’s overall quality. Factors such as extracurricular programs, student well-being, school culture and individual student support are equally critical but harder to quantify in a simple ranking system. We advise you to further research which high school ticks all the boxes for your child for a holistic learning experience.
Enrol your child at Tutoring For Excellence for extra support in getting into these top-ranking high schools in NSW
At Tutoring For Excellence, we understand every student has different needs and learning styles. With over 20 years of experience, we’ve empowered students by providing one-on-one tutoring tailored to their individual needs — something that’s often difficult to achieve in a traditional classroom setting.
Whether your child needs an online or in-person HSC tutor, or help with a particular subject, like economics, we’re here to help your child reach their full potential. Fill in our Find a Tutor online form and one of our expert consultants will be in touch with you within 24 hours.