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

NSW highest ranking school has been knocked off the top spot after being beaten by another selective public school, ending a reign of almost 30 years. 

North Sydney Boys High has claimed the number one slot in the Higher School Certificate rankings for the first time, ousting James Ruse Agricultural High which held the title of the state's best-performing school for 27 years. 

North Sydney Boys outscored James Ruse after an increase in its advanced and extension English results as well as improving maths scores over seven years. 

The Crows Nest school's success rate went up from 62.84 per in 2022 to 69 per cent this year. 

The results are based on a comprehensive analysis by the Sydney Morning Herald. 

Selective public high schools make up the top four places, while private schools now accommodate half of the top 10. 

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

Reddam House in Bondi was the top-placed private school, coming in at fifth place. 

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

James Ruse, which was originally set up as a boys farming school in Carlingford, first topped the HSC rankings in 1996 after it stole the title from Sydney Grammar.

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

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

'The students cheered and were jumping for joy once they heard the news.'

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

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

'It pleases me that another public school, North Sydney Boys, has the title for 2023 and I've contacted Mr Ferguson to congratulate him, his staff and students.'

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

Willoughby Girls followed closely in 56th spot, up 10 places, and Killara High was 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 leapt 200 spots to 125th.

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

There are 55,523 students eligible for an ATAR this year, with the median ATAR for girls at 71.9, while for boys it was 70. 

The top ATAR mark of 99.95 was achieved by 37 males and 12 females.

The Herald calculates its rankings by using success rates, which are the ratio of band 6 or E4 results – marks of 90 and above – compared to the number of students who sat exams.

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

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