Top ranking high school is dethroned after leading HSC results for almost 30 years in NSW

The top-ranked school in NSW has been knocked out of the top spot after being defeated by another selective public school, ending a nearly 30-year reign.

North Sydney Boys High has claimed the number one spot in the Higher School Certificates rankings for the first time, displacing James Ruse Agricultural High, which held the title of the state's top performing school for 27 years.

North Sydney Boys defeated James Ruse after rising in Advanced and Extension English results and improving maths scores over seven years.

Crows Nest school's pass rate has risen from 62.84 per in 2022 to 69 per cent this year.

The results are based on an extensive analysis by the Sydney Morning Herald.

Selective public high schools make up the top four, while private schools now house half of the top ten.

The analysis of the 2023 HSC results also shows that Baulkham Hills High finished in third place and North Sydney Girls in fourth place.

Reddam House in Bondi was the best-placed private school, finishing in fifth place.

St Aloysius in Kirribilli jumped from 15th to 6th, while Normanhurst Boys finished in 8th and girls' schools SCEGGS Darlinghurst and Abbotsleigh completed the top 10.

Originally founded as a farm school for boys in Carlingford, James Ruse topped the HSC rankings for the first time in 1996 after stealing the title from Sydney Grammar.

North Sydney Boys principal Brian Ferguson said he was pleased with the school's performance.

“I don't think the students could have asked for more from the teachers,” he said.

“The students cheered and jumped for joy when they heard the news.”

James Ruse Agricultural High (pictured) held the title of New South Wales' top performing school for 27 years before being ousted this year

North Sydney Boys High said it was pleased with the school's historic result

James Ruse principal Rachel Powell said she was 'extremely proud' of the student's achievements.

“HSC performance at this truly outstanding level is remarkable, and I congratulate all our students who have done so well,” she said.

“I am pleased that another public school, North Sydney Boys, has won the title for 2023 and I have contacted Mr Ferguson to congratulate him, his staff and students.”

This year the highest ranked public school community was Northern Beaches Secondary College Balgowlah Boys Campus, which rose almost 40 places from last year to 54th.

Willoughby Girls followed closely in 56th, 10 places higher, and Killara High came 77th.

Blacktown Girls, Pennant Hills High, Parkes High and Menai High recorded some of the biggest jumps, climbing more than 70 places, while Moss Vale High jumped 200 places to 125th.

The Herald notes that the data is not adjusted for socio-economic advantage and that almost all of the top 150 schools have students who come from the most privileged backgrounds.

ATAR results were released to about 69,000 New South Wales students on Thursday morning

There are 55,523 students eligible for an ATAR this year, with the average ATAR for girls being 71.9, while for boys it is 70.

The highest ATAR score of 99.95 was achieved by 37 men and 12 women.

The Herald calculates its rankings based on success rates, which are the ratio of results in band 6 or E4 (grades of 90 and above) compared to the number of students who took exams.

Only schools where at least 150 HSC subject results have been registered are included.

In 2023 there were 1420 all-rounder students, that is those who achieved band 6s for 10 or more units, with James Ruse and North Sydney Boys High contributing 66 students each to the list.

ATAR results were released to about 69,000 New South Wales students on Thursday morning, while Victorian students received their results on Monday.