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  4. Top New South Wales schools in 2014

Top New South Wales schools in 2014

With the release of HSC scores comes the annual list of top schools in New South Wales. This year's list was dominated by the state's selective schools but also features a number from the independent and Catholic sectors. James Ruse Agricultural College has retained its top spot, with close to 70 per cent of students ranked in the highest band for at least one HSC subject.

The top schools are ranked according to the number of distinguished achievers in each school, which is represented by the percentage of students who achieved marks in the top band of their subject (90 per cent or higher).

For parents in the midst of the school research process, HSC marks provide a useful means of comparison. It is important to remember, however, that there are many other factors to consider when selecting a school. Each school has its strengths and it is not always the most academically strong school that will be the best choice for your child. To find a school for your child, visit the profiles in the table below or see our Find a school search.

For 2015 results, see Your state's top schools for 2015.

Rank

School name

Suburb

Proportion of distinguished achievers (90% or higher in an HSC subject or ˜Band 6')

School characteristics

1

James Ruse Agricultural High School

Carlingford

69.13

Government, selective, coeducational

2

North Sydney Boys High School

Crows Nest

58.51

Government, selective, coeducational

3

North Sydney Girls High School

Crows Nest

56.07

Government, selective, female

4

Sydney Girls High School

Surry Hills

55.96

Government, selective, female

5

Baulkham Hills High School

Baulkham Hills

54.58

Government, coeducational

6

Sydney Boys High School

Moore Park

52.98

Government, selective, male

7

Hornsby Girls High School

Hornsby

50.88

Government, female

8

Northern Beaches Secondary College

Manly

50.7

Government, coeducational

9

Conservatorium High School

Sydney

50.63

Government, selective, coeducational

10

Abbotsleigh

Wahroonga

48.15

Independent, female

11

Sydney Grammar School

Darlinghurst

45.39

Independent, male

12

Reddam House

Woollahra

42.77

Independent, coeducational

13

Fort Street High School

Petersham

42.19

Government, selective, coeducational

14

Ascham School

Edgecliff

41.76

Independent, selective, female

15

Girraween High School

Girraween

40.36

Government, selective, coeducational

16

Loreto Normanhurst

Normanhurst

40.35

Catholic, female

17

Moriah College

Queens Park

39.44

Independent, coeducational

18

Emanuel School

Randwick

39.02

Independent, coeducational

19

St George Girls High School

Kogarah

38.56

Government, coeducational

20

SCEGGS

Darlinghurst

38.35

Independent, female

For more information about the HSC and how it is assessed, see Understanding the school curriculum in New South Wales HSC.

Useful links:

  • Top schools in New South Wales revealed (2013 results)
  • Top VCE schools 2014
School results HSC
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