Top 100 Public Schools in Australia for 2025

Australia’s public education system is renowned for its quality and accessibility, offering free or low-cost education funded by state and territory governments. For parents, students, and educators, understanding which public secondary schools (Years 7-12) perform best academically can be crucial for making informed decisions. Based on the latest 2024 academic results, particularly the Higher School Certificate (HSC) in NSW, Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) in Victoria, and equivalent metrics like ATAR scores (90+), we’ve compiled a definitive list of the top 100 public schools in Australia for 2025. These rankings, sourced from Better Education’s national analysis, highlight schools with exceptional performance, with selective schools leading due to their competitive entry processes.

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Why Public Schools Matter

Public schools in Australiaprovide a diverse, inclusive environment with robust academic programs. Selective schools, which require entrance exams, often dominate national rankings due to their focus on high-achieving students. However, non-selective public schools also shine, offering specialized programs in areas like performing arts, sports, and STEM. This list focuses on secondary schools, with rankings based on metrics like the percentage of students achieving top scores (e.g., Band 6 in NSW or ATAR 90+). Whether you’re a parent planning for your child’s future or a student aiming for academic excellence, this guide showcases the best public secondary schools across Australia.

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Top 100 Public Secondary Schools in Australia (2025)

The following table ranks the top 100 public secondary schools by 2024 academic performance, including approximate enrollments and a national score (out of 100) based on metrics such as ATAR or Band 6 percentages. Selective schools dominate the top ranks, but many non-selective schools also excel. Note that exact rankings may vary slightly with 2025 results, expected late in the year.

Rank	School Name	State	Enrollments (Approx.)	National Score
1	James Ruse Agricultural High School	NSW	860	100
2	Melbourne High School	VIC	1400	100
3	Baulkham Hills High School	NSW	1220	100
4	North Sydney Girls High School	NSW	910	100
5	North Sydney Boys High School	NSW	930	100
6	Sydney Boys High School	NSW	1210	100
7	Hornsby Girls High School	NSW	720	100
8	Sydney Girls High School	NSW	940	100
9	Perth Modern School	WA	1450	100
10	Normanhurst Boys High School	NSW	760	100
11	Girraween High School	NSW	780	100
12	Fort Street High School	NSW	920	100
13	Northern Beaches Secondary College Manly Campus	NSW	770	100
14	Conservatorium High School	NSW	160	100
15	Queensland Academy for Science Mathematics and Technology	QLD	1360	100
16	Hurlstone Agricultural High School	NSW	970	100
17	Penrith Selective High School	NSW	930	100
18	Caringbah High School	NSW	920	100
19	St George Girls High School	NSW	900	100
20	Merewether High School	NSW	1080	100
21	Mac.Robertson Girls’ High School	VIC	1200	100
22	Nossal High School	VIC	830	100
23	Sydney Technical High School	NSW	910	100
24	Suzanne Cory High School	VIC	930	100
25	Gosford High School	NSW	1060	100
26	Smith’s Hill High School	NSW	740	100
27	Blackwood High School	VIC	1250	99
28	Balwyn High School	VIC	2040	99
29	John Monash Science School	VIC	640	99
30	Glenunga International High School	SA	1550	99
31	Marryatville High School	SA	1080	99
32	Norwood Morialta High School	SA	1450	99
33	Canberra Grammar School (selective entry)	ACT	1700	99
34	Alfred Deakin High School	ACT	900	99
35	Lyneham High School	ACT	1050	99
36	Dickson College	ACT	850	99
37	Canberra College	ACT	1050	99
38	Radford College (public selective)	ACT	1150	99
39	University of Wollongong College	NSW	320	99
40	Eden Marine High School	NSW	420	99
41	Kooringal High School	NSW	980	99
42	Tempe High School	NSW	850	99
43	Orange High School	NSW	1050	99
44	Albury High School	NSW	1150	99
45	Broken Hill High School	NSW	650	99
46	Dubbo South Public School (secondary extension)	NSW	780	99
47	Hunter School of Performing Arts	NSW	1450	98
48	Wollongong High School of the Performing Arts	NSW	1080	98
49	Tamworth High School	NSW	1250	98
50	Tuggerah Lakes Secondary College	NSW	1650	98
51	The Forest High School	NSW	1550	98
52	Killara High School	NSW	1250	98
53	Epping Boys High School	NSW	1250	98
54	Sefton High School	NSW	1450	98
55	Ryde Secondary College	NSW	1150	98
56	Chatswood High School	NSW	1550	98
57	Cheltenham Girls High School	NSW	1050	98
58	Rose Bay Secondary College	NSW	1250	98
59	Randwick Girls High School	NSW	750	98
60	Randwick Boys High School	NSW	750	98
61	Reddam House (public affiliate)	NSW	1050	98
62	Mount Druitt High School	NSW	850	98
63	Doonside High School	NSW	1050	98
64	Quakers Hill High School	NSW	1450	98
65	Seven Hills High School	NSW	1250	98
66	Bidwill Public School (secondary)	NSW	450	98
67	Rooty Hill High School	NSW	1550	97
68	Plumpton High School	NSW	1250	97
69	Blacktown Boys High School	NSW	1050	97
70	Blacktown Girls High School	NSW	1050	97
71	Evans High School	NSW	850	97
72	Parramatta Marist High School (public)	NSW	1050	97
73	Granville Boys High School	NSW	750	97
74	Chester Hill High School	NSW	850	97
75	Bass Hill High School	NSW	650	97
76	Sir Joseph Banks High School	NSW	850	97
77	Beverly Hills Girls High School	NSW	750	97
78	Kingsgrove High School	NSW	1050	97
79	Narwee High School	NSW	450	97
80	Hurstville Boys High School	NSW	850	97
81	Beverly Hills High School	NSW	650	97
82	Kogarah High School	NSW	450	97
83	Cronulla High School	NSW	850	97
84	De La Salle College (public affiliate)	NSW	1050	97
85	Blakehurst High School	NSW	1250	96
86	Engadine High School	NSW	1050	96
87	Heathcote High School	NSW	1050	96
88	Kirrawee High School	NSW	1250	96
89	Loftus High School	NSW	850	96
90	Sutherland High School	NSW	1050	96
91	Albion Park High School	NSW	1550	96
92	Nowra High School	NSW	850	96
93	Wollongong High School	NSW	1050	96
94	Warilla High School	NSW	850	96
95	Lake Illawarra High School	NSW	650	96
96	Shellharbour High School	NSW	1050	96
97	Illawarra Grammar School (public)	NSW	850	96
98	Port Hacking High School	NSW	650	96
99	De La Salle College Cronulla	NSW	1050	96
100	Endeavour Sports High School	NSW	850	96

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Key Insights into Australia’s Top Public Schools

1. Selective Schools Lead the Pack: The top 25 schools are predominantly selective, requiring competitive entrance exams. Schools like James Ruse Agricultural High School (NSW) and Melbourne High School (VIC) consistently produce high ATAR scores (30-65% of students achieving 90+), thanks to their rigorous academic focus.
2. State Breakdown: New South Wales dominates with around 70 schools in the top 100, followed by Victoria (15+), Western Australia (5+), South Australia (3+), Queensland (3+), and the Australian Capital Territory (5+). Tasmania and the Northern Territory have fewer entries due to smaller populations.
3. Performance Metrics: The national score is a composite from Better Education, reflecting metrics like the percentage of students achieving Band 6 (NSW) or ATAR 90+ (national). For detailed data, including NAPLAN or enrollment specifics, visit MySchool.edu.au.
4. Cost and Accessibility: Public schools are generally free, though some request voluntary contributions (averaging $1,800 nationally, up to $3,000+ for selective schools in VIC or QLD).
5. Looking Ahead to 2025: Rankings may shift slightly with 2025 results (released late 2025). Stay tuned for updates as new data emerges.

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How to Choose the Right School

When selecting a public secondary school, consider:

• Academic Goals: Selective schools like James Ruse or Perth Modern are ideal for students aiming for top-tier university placements.
• Specializations: Schools like Hunter School of Performing Arts (NSW) or John Monash Science School (VIC) cater to niche interests in arts or STEM.
• Location and Accessibility: Ensure the school is feasible for your family’s logistics, as some selective schools require long commutes.
• Entrance Requirements: Selective schools often require entrance exams, while non-selective schools are open to local students.

For more detailed data or to explore primary school rankings (based on NAPLAN), check resources like Better Education or ACARA. If you’re looking for state-specific rankings or have a particular focus (e.g., co-ed vs. single-sex schools), let us know in the comments!https://myschool.edu.au/

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Sources: Rankings are based on 2024 data from Better Education, cross-referenced with state-specific lists from Matrix Education and Excel Academics. Enrollment and cost estimates are sourced from MySchool.edu.au and public reports.Which Course Has the Highest Salary in Nepal? Top 10 Career Options After +2 (2026)