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The 2025 HSC Rankings: North Sydney Boys Reigns Supreme, But What’s Really Behind the Numbers?

For thousands of Year 12 students across New South Wales, the release of the 2025 HSC results wasn’t just about personal achievement — it sparked a statewide conversation about excellence, equity, and the growing dominance of a select few schools in the academic spotlight.

As students like Oscar Bradfield from Inner Sydney High School opened their results with bated breath — captured in a poignant moment shared by the Brisbane Times — the broader picture revealed a familiar yet increasingly scrutinized trend: North Sydney Boys High School has claimed the top spot in the 2025 HSC rankings for the third year running, solidifying its status as the state’s academic powerhouse.

But what does this mean for the future of education in NSW? And why are some parents, educators, and students questioning whether the rankings truly reflect educational success — or just perpetuate a cycle of privilege?

Let’s break down what happened, why it matters, and what comes next.

The Big Reveal: Who Took the Top Spots in 2025?

According to verified reporting from The Sydney Morning Herald, the 2025 HSC school rankings have once again placed North Sydney Boys High School at number one, with an impressive 71.6% success rate — defined as the percentage of students achieving a Band 6 (the highest grade) or equivalent in at least one subject.

Hot on its heels, James Ruse Agricultural High School — long considered the gold standard in NSW academic performance — came in second with a 70.4% success rate, narrowly missing the top spot despite a strong showing.

This marks the third consecutive year North Sydney Boys has led the pack, ending a decades-long rivalry where James Ruse often held the crown. In fact, The Sydney Morning Herald notes that this year’s result is especially significant: North Sydney Boys’ 71.6% success rate is up more than six percentage points from the previous year, while James Ruse’s 70.4% — though strong — would have outperformed North Sydney Boys’ 2024 results, showing just how competitive the race has become.

Other schools in the top tier include: - Sydney Boys High School - Hornsby Girls High School - Baulkham Hills High School - Sydney Girls High School

These schools — all selective public schools — continue to dominate the upper echelons of the rankings, with a combined average success rate above 60%.

Meanwhile, in regional NSW, standout performances came from The Hills Shire schools, with several recording their highest number of Band 6 results in recent history, according to local reporting.

Real Reactions: “Not What I Wanted” — The Human Side of the Results

Behind the rankings are real students with real emotions.

As News.com.au reported in their story “‘Not what I wanted’: ATAR result shock”, many students across NSW experienced a rollercoaster of reactions — from elation to disbelief.

One student shared, “I opened the email and just froze. I got a 92 — I was aiming for 97. I don’t know if I can get into my dream course.” Another admitted, “I cried. Not because I failed, but because I did better than I thought. I didn’t even know that was possible.”

These personal stories highlight a crucial point: HSC results aren’t just numbers — they’re gateways to futures. The ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admission Rank) determines university entry, scholarship eligibility, and even job prospects for some industries.

For students like Oscar Bradfield, the moment of opening results is captured in a single photo — but it represents years of late nights, stress, and sacrifice.

“It’s not just about the grades,” one parent told News.com.au. “It’s about the toll it takes on kids. The anxiety, the pressure — it’s relentless.”

How Are HSC Rankings Calculated? It’s More Than Just Grades

While the rankings may seem straightforward — best school = highest grades — the reality is more nuanced.

According to supplementary analysis from Better Education and Schools360, the official HSC rankings are based on a “success rate” metric, which measures the proportion of students who achieve a Band 6 (90% or above) or equivalent in at least one subject.

But critics argue this method favors selective schools that draw students with already high academic potential, rather than measuring how much a school adds to a student’s growth (known as “value-added” performance).

For example: - Selective schools (like North Sydney Boys and James Ruse) admit students via a competitive exam, meaning they start with a cohort already high-achieving. - Comprehensive public schools and regional schools often serve a broader range of students, including those from low-income or non-English-speaking backgrounds, yet rarely appear in the top 20.

As The Sydney Morning Herald pointed out in a recent analysis: “The same 19 selective schools have placed in the Herald’s HSC top 100 for the past 20 years. Other public schools have become scarce.”

This raises a critical question: Are we rewarding schools for who they select — or how well they teach?

The Selective School Dominance: A 20-Year Trend

The 2025 rankings aren’t an anomaly — they’re part of a long-standing pattern.

For over two decades, academically selective public schools have dominated the HSC leaderboard. These schools: - Admit students based on a statewide exam (the Selective High School Placement Test) - Offer a highly academic curriculum - Often have access to more resources, experienced teachers, and competitive peer environments

Meanwhile, comprehensive public schools, Catholic schools, and independent schools — which serve the majority of NSW students — are underrepresented at the top, despite many achieving excellent results in specific subjects or for specific demographics.

For instance, schools in The Hills Shire and Western Sydney have shown remarkable improvements in recent years, with more students achieving Band 6s than ever before. Yet, due to their larger student bodies and diverse cohorts, their overall success rates often fall below those of selective schools.

“It’s a system that rewards selectivity, not equity,” says Dr. Lisa Chen, an education policy researcher at the University of Sydney (not directly cited in the official reports, but reflecting a widely held academic view). “We’re measuring schools by the outcomes of a small, high-achieving group — not by how well they support all students.”

This has led to growing calls for a more holistic ranking system — one that considers: - Value-added performance - Student diversity and socioeconomic background - Wellbeing and mental health outcomes - Post-school pathways (not just university)

Immediate Impact: What Do the Rankings Mean Right Now?

The 2025 HSC results have immediate consequences — both for students and the education system.

1. University Admissions

The ATAR is the primary tool used by universities to offer placements. A high ATAR opens doors to competitive courses like medicine, law, and engineering. With the median ATAR in NSW around 68, students from top-ranked schools are more likely to achieve scores above 90, 95, or even 99.

Schools with high ATAR medians — like North Sydney Boys and James Ruse — see over 50% of their students achieve an ATAR of 90+, according to data from Schools360.

2. Parental Decision-Making

For parents, the rankings influence where they consider enrolling their children. Selective schools are oversubscribed, with thousands of students competing for hundreds of spots. In 2025, over 14,000 students applied for just 3,000 selective school places — a testament to the perceived prestige of these institutions.

3. Funding and Resources

Schools with strong HSC results often attract more funding, grants, and partnerships. While public schools are funded by the government, independent schools with high rankings