Top ranking high school is dethroned after leading HSC results for almost 30 years in NSW
NSW’s top-rated school has been knocked out of top spot after being overtaken by another selective public school, ending a nearly 30-year reign.
North Sydney Boys’ School has taken the top spot in the Matriculation Certificate rankings for the first time, displacing James Roos Agricultural School, which held the title of the state’s top-performing school for 27 years.
North Sydney Boys have surpassed James Ruse after improving their Advanced and Extended English results and improving their Maths results over seven years.
Crow’s Nest School’s pass rate has increased from 62.84 percent in 2022 to 69 percent this year.
North Sydney Boys’ School (pictured) has achieved first place in the Higher Certificate rankings for the first time.
The results are based on a comprehensive analysis conducted Sydney Morning Herald.
Individual public high schools occupy the top four spots, and private schools now occupy half of the top 10.
Analysis of the 2023 HSC results also shows Baulkham Hills High came third and North Sydney Girls fourth.
Reddam House in Bondi came out on top among private schools, coming in fifth place.
St Aloysius in Kirribilli jumped from 15th to 6th, Normanhurst Boys took 8th place and SCEGGS girls’ schools Darlinghurst and Abbotsleigh rounded out the top 10.
James Ruse, which was originally established as a boys’ farm school in Carlingford, first topped the HSC rankings in 1996 after stealing the title from Sydney Grammar.
North Sydney Boys’ principal Brian Ferguson said he was pleased with the school’s results.
“I don’t think students could ask for more from teachers,” he said.
“The students applauded and jumped for joy when they heard the news.”
James Roos Agricultural School (pictured) held the title of NSW’s top-performing school for 27 years before it was ousted this year.
North Sydney Boys’ School said it was pleased with the school’s historic result.
James Ruse School principal Rachel Powell said she was “extremely proud” of the student’s achievements.
“The HSC’s achievement at such a truly outstanding level is remarkable and I congratulate all our students who did so well,” she said.
“I am pleased that another public school, North Sydney Boys, has been awarded the title for 2023 and I have contacted Mr Ferguson to congratulate him, his staff and students.”
This year’s top-rated state comprehensive school was Balgowlah Boys Secondary College Northern Beaches, rising almost 40 places from last year to 54th.
Willoughby Girls followed in 56th place, up 10 places, while Killara School was in 77th place.
Blacktown girls, Pennant Hills School, Parkes School and Menai School recorded some of the biggest jumps, rising more than 70 places, while Moss Vale School jumped 200 places to 125th place.
The Herald notes that the data is not adjusted for socio-economic advantage and almost all of the top 150 schools have pupils from the most privileged backgrounds.
ATAR results were released to about 69,000 NSW students on Thursday morning.
There are 55,523 students eligible for an ATAR this year, with the average ATAR for girls being 71.9 and for boys 70.
The highest ATAR score of 99.95 was achieved by 37 men and 12 women.
The Herald calculates its rankings using pass rates, which are the ratio of Band 6 or E4 results (grades 90 and above) compared to the number of students sitting the exams.
Only schools with at least 150 HSC subject results recorded are included.
In 2023, there were 1,420 all-round students, those who achieved a 6 in 10 or more subjects, with James Roose and North Sydney Boys High each making the list with 66 students.
ATAR results were provided to about 69,000 NSW students on Thursday morning, while Victorian students received their results on Monday.