19 July 2026
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Public high schools across NSW have been recognised for driving academic improvement, delivering outstanding results in the 2025 Higher School Certificate (HSC).

Letters jointly written by Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car and NSW Department of Education Secretary Murat Dizdar went out to 45 schools congratulating them on their achievement.

Image Source (Dulwich High School of Visual Arts and Design: Wikipedia)

This year’s results almost doubles the number of schools honoured for their 2024 HSC results, including Dulwich High School of Visual Arts and Design, South Sydney High School and Hunter Sports High School being recognised for the second year in a row.

The schools were identified from across 452 public high schools that each year guide the estimated 40,000 Year 12 students through to the HSC.  

Schools were identified for demonstrating consistent growth over seven years, for showing an increase in the number of students who achieved higher bands of the HSC, and for demonstrating strong progress for students across other bands.

Each school developed targeted improvement strategies to lift performance based on what works best, supported by system-wide evidence-based teaching practices with the explicit teaching of content and skills through the new NSW syllabuses, high expectations for every student, and a sustained focus on student wellbeing.

The identification of the 45 schools that have shown the greatest improvement in results in the top bands comes a year after the Minns Government set system-wide academic, HSC attainment and school attendance targets for all NSW public schools.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car said:

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“These results show what can be achieved when teachers can focus their time and expertise in the classroom, providing high-impact teaching for their students.

“We are unwavering in our commitment to academic excellence, and we will continue to challenge our students to reach their full potential.

“This commitment is backed by the largest school building program in our state’s history, more teachers in the classrooms and more opportunities for high potential and gifted students.”

NSW Department of Education Secretary Murat Dizdar said:

“These HSC results show exactly what our Plan for NSW Public Education is all about – excellent teaching and high expectations for every student. These schools demonstrate that with the right support and quality teaching, our students achieve strong outcomes.  

“This is public education at its best: lifting outcomes and delivering on the promise of opportunity for every child in every community.

“These schools are proof that great teaching changes lives. They are quietly and consistently turning potential into achievement – and that’s a story that deserves to be shared.”

2025 most improved HSC schools – metro

  • Arthur Phillip High School
  • Asquith High School
  • Auburn Girls High School
  • Aurora College
  • Blakehurst High School
  • Cammeraygal High School
  • Canterbury Boys High School
  • Chatswood High School
  • Colyton High School
  • Crestwood High School
  • Dulwich High School of Visual Arts and Design
  • Glenwood High School
  • Homebush Boys High School
  • Hornsby High School
  • Kingsgrove North High School
  • Kingswood High School
  • Ku-ring-gai High School
  • Lurnea High School
  • Muirfield High School
  • Nepean Creative and Performing Arts High School
  • Pendle Hill High School
  • Rose Bay Secondary College
  • South Sydney High School
  • St Marys Senior High School
  • Strathfield South High School
  • Sydney Secondary College, Blackwattle Bay Campus
  • Wiley Park Girls High School

2025 most improved HSC schools – regional and rural

  • Brisbane Water Secondary College, Woy Woy Campus
  • Coolamon Central School
  • Evans River Community School
  • Finigan School of Distance Education
  • Hunter River High School
  • Hunter Sports High School
  • Kempsey High School
  • Kincumber High School
  • Lake Macquarie High School
  • Lisarow High School
  • Maclean High School
  • Maitland High School
  • Nimbin Central School
  • Orange High School
  • Tuggerah Lakes Secondary College, The Entrance Campus
  • Wauchope High School
  • Wingham High School
  • Yass High School