AU GuideAU Guide

NSW School Directory

AU Guide covers 793 NSW secondary schools, with 203 included in the overall ranking

Our rankings are based on HSC results, high-achiever ratios and other multi-dimensional data — focusing on overall performance, not just scores.Methodology →

40%DA Results
20%All Rounders
20%Top Achievers
10%First in Course
10%Chinese Amenity
793
Schools
203
Ranked
5
Dimensions
2025
Data Year

Key Findings

  • Top-ranked
    James Ruse Agricultural High School
    Score 97.8
  • 5-star schools
    22
    Score ≥ 90
  • 4-star schools
    51
    Score 80–89
  • Selective schools
    45
    incl. partially selective

Complete Ranking

793 schools total
1
James Ruse Agricultural High SchoolSelective
Carlingford Year 7-12
97.8
Score
705
DA Count
2
Sydney Grammar SchoolIndependent
Darlinghurst K-12
97.1
Score
768
DA Count
3
Baulkham Hills High SchoolSelective
Baulkham Hills Year 7-12
96.0
Score
623
DA Count
4
AbbotsleighIndependent
Wahroonga K-12
95.3
Score
495
DA Count
5
Meriden SchoolIndependent
Strathfield K-12
95.3
Score
452
DA Count
6
Pymble Ladies' CollegeIndependent
Pymble K-12
95.0
Score
644
DA Count
7
North Sydney Boys High SchoolSelective
Crows Nest Year 7-12
94.9
Score
663
DA Count
8
North Sydney Girls High SchoolSelective
Crows Nest Year 7-12
94.4
Score
549
DA Count
9
Presbyterian Ladies' College SydneyIndependent
Croydon K-12
94.2
Score
391
DA Count
10
Roseville CollegeIndependent
Roseville K-12
93.8
Score
280
DA Count
11
Hornsby Girls High SchoolSelective
Hornsby Year 7-12
93.4
Score
363
DA Count
12
Knox Grammar SchoolIndependent
Wahroonga K-12
93.0
Score
724
DA Count
13
Barker CollegeIndependent
Hornsby K-12
92.9
Score
551
DA Count
14
Sydney Girls High SchoolSelective
Surry Hills Year 7-12
92.4
Score
442
DA Count
15
St Aloysius' CollegeIndependent
Kirribilli Year 3-12
92.2
Score
553
DA Count
16
Normanhurst Boys High SchoolSelective
Normanhurst Year 7-12
91.9
Score
433
DA Count
17
Wenona SchoolIndependent
North Sydney K-12
91.7
Score
322
DA Count
18
Al-Faisal CollegeIndependent
Auburn K-12
91.1
Score
340
DA Count
19
SHORE - Sydney Church of England Grammar SchoolIndependent
North Sydney K-12
91.0
Score
465
DA Count
20
Ravenswood School for GirlsIndependent
Gordon K-12
90.7
Score
344
DA Count
21
The King's SchoolIndependent
North Parramatta K-12
90.6
Score
417
DA Count
22
Ascham SchoolIndependent
Edgecliff K-12
90.2
Score
288
DA Count
23
Loreto NormanhurstIndependent
Normanhurst Year 5-12
89.5
Score
316
DA Count
24
Cherrybrook Technology High SchoolPublic
Cherrybrook Year 7-12
88.9
Score
391
DA Count
25
Merewether High SchoolSelective
Broadmeadow Year 7-12
88.5
Score
403
DA Count
26
Fort Street High SchoolSelective
Petersham Year 7-12
88.3
Score
361
DA Count
27
Cheltenham Girls High SchoolPublic
Beecroft Year 7-12
88.3
Score
276
DA Count
28
Saint Ignatius' CollegeIndependent
Lane Cove Year 5-12
88.2
Score
333
DA Count
29
SCEGGS DarlinghurstIndependent
Darlinghurst K-12
88.0
Score
256
DA Count
30
Newington CollegeIndependent
Stanmore K-12
87.8
Score
281
DA Count
31
Alpha Omega Senior CollegeIndependent
Auburn Year 7-12
87.7
Score
242
DA Count
32
Loreto KirribilliIndependent
Kirribilli K-12
87.7
Score
291
DA Count
33
Penrith High SchoolSelective
Penrith Year 7-12
87.5
Score
382
DA Count
34
Gosford High SchoolSelective
Gosford Year 7-12
86.6
Score
336
DA Count
35
Chatswood High SchoolSelective
Chatswood Year 7-12
86.6
Score
368
DA Count
36
Bethany CollegeCatholic
Hurstville Year 7-12
86.5
Score
190
DA Count
37
St Patrick's College, StrathfieldIndependent
Strathfield Year 5-12
85.9
Score
248
DA Count
38
Brigidine College St IvesIndependent
St Ives Year 7-12
85.6
Score
228
DA Count
39
Girraween High SchoolSelective
Girraween Year 7-12
85.5
Score
303
DA Count
40
Caringbah High SchoolSelective
Caringbah Year 7-12
85.3
Score
301
DA Count
41
QueenwoodIndependent
Mosman K-12
84.6
Score
177
DA Count
42
Sydney Boys High SchoolSelective
Moore Park Year 7-12
84.2
Score
653
DA Count
43
Sydney Technical High SchoolSelective
Bexley Year 7-12
84.2
Score
234
DA Count
44
Kincoppal - Rose Bay School of the Sacred HeartIndependent
Rose Bay K-12
84.0
Score
212
DA Count
45
Oakhill CollegeIndependent
Castle Hill Year 7-12
83.7
Score
327
DA Count
46
The Scots CollegeIndependent
Bellevue Hill K-12
83.7
Score
250
DA Count
47
Hurlstone Agricultural High SchoolSelective
Glenfield Year 7-12
83.6
Score
306
DA Count
48
St Catherine's SchoolIndependent
Waverley K-12
83.6
Score
233
DA Count
49
St George Girls High SchoolSelective
Kogarah Year 7-12
83.4
Score
249
DA Count
50
Tara Anglican School for GirlsIndependent
North Parramatta K-12
83.3
Score
184
DA Count

FAQ

How is AU Guide's NSW school ranking calculated?▾
We combine HSC academic results, high-achiever ratios, All Rounder/Top Achiever/First in Course performance, school stability and Chinese-community amenity into a single 0–100 composite score. Rankings focus on overall performance, not a single metric. See the HSC methodology page for the full formula.
Why do some NSW schools show "Listed" instead of a star rating?▾
Out of 793 NSW secondary schools with HSC data, only 203 have a composite score of 60 or above and are included in the overall ranking. The remaining 590 schools are recorded (with HSC data on file) but not assigned a star rating because their high-achiever counts (All Rounders, Top Achievers) are below the threshold. This does not mean they are "bad" schools — many excel in vocational education, community engagement or specific subject areas.
Public, private, catholic, selective — how do I choose?▾
Public schools are free with catchment-based enrolment; selective schools require entrance exams and have strong academic pressure; private schools have higher fees but rich resources; catholic schools sit in the middle on cost and emphasise values education. Start with the child's personality and family budget, then compare specific schools on results, commute and school culture.
Where are the best schools for Chinese families in NSW?▾
Looking at the top 30 schools, NSW's top schools cluster in the North Shore (Killara, Pymble, St Ives), Eastern Suburbs (around Sydney CBD) and the Western Sydney selective belt. The right school depends on the child's exam pathway and family commute — use the AU Guide suburb pages to compare nearby property prices, Chinese percentage and safety index.
Does the #1 ranked school mean it's the best fit?▾
Not necessarily. The #1 rank only reflects the highest composite score. The "best fit" depends on the child's ability match, commute distance, school culture, family budget and long-term planning. Highly competitive top schools may not suit children with lower stress tolerance. Visit open days, talk to current parents and let the child trial-attend.
How often is the data updated?▾
School composite scores are updated annually after HSC results are released (typically December–January). Suburb data (property prices, crime rate, Chinese percentage) is reviewed quarterly. Sources include ACARA, NESA, ABS Census, Domain and CSA/BOCSAR.