Kids Learning HubNSW selective high schools: the full list
New South Wales has three kinds of academically selective government school — fully selective high schools, partially selective high schools, and agricultural selective high schools — plus Aurora College for rural and remote students. Entry to all of them is through the one Selective High School Placement Test, sat in Year 6 for entry into Year 7. Below is a working list of the schools, grouped by type, with a note on where to find the official, current version.
What a selective high school is
A selective high school is a government school that enrols academically high-achieving students on the basis of the Selective High School Placement Test rather than by where a family lives. A fully selective school is selective right through — every student has won a place through the test. A partially selective school runs one or more selective classes inside an otherwise ordinary local high school, so only part of the enrolment is selective. Agricultural selective schools combine academic selection with a working-farm program and usually take boarders from across the state. All of them are free government schools.
Fully selective high schools
These schools are selective across the whole school. Many are clustered around greater Sydney, with several more in regional centres.
| Region | Schools |
|---|---|
| Sydney metro | Sydney Boys, Sydney Girls, Sydney Technical, Fort Street, North Sydney Boys, North Sydney Girls, Normanhurst Boys, Hornsby Girls, St George Girls, Caringbah, Baulkham Hills, Girraween, Penrith Selective, Manly Selective Campus (Northern Beaches Secondary College), Conservatorium High School (specialist music, selective entry) |
| Regional NSW | Gosford, Merewether (Newcastle), Smith’s Hill (Wollongong) |
The two fully selective agricultural schools (below) are sometimes counted here too. Conservatorium High School selects for musical ability and is grouped differently by some sources — always check the official list for how a specific school is classified.
Partially selective high schools
These schools have selective classes inside a regular high school. Commonly listed examples include:
- Alexandria Park Community School
- Auburn Girls High School
- Blacktown Boys High School
- Blacktown Girls High School
- Bonnyrigg High School
- Chatswood High School
- Gorokan High School
- Grafton High School
- Granville Boys High School
- Karabar High School
- Kooringal High School
- Macquarie Fields High School
- Moorebank High School
- Parramatta High School
- Peel High School
- Prairiewood High School
- Rose Bay Secondary College
- Ryde Secondary College
- Sefton High School
- Sydney Secondary College
- Tempe High School
There are roughly 25 to 27 partially selective schools, and the set changes as the Department opens or closes selective classes — so treat this as a strong guide rather than a frozen, final roll.
Agricultural selective schools
Four agricultural high schools combine academic selection with farming programs and boarding:
- James Ruse Agricultural High School (Carlingford) — fully selective
- Hurlstone Agricultural High School (Glenfield) — fully selective
- Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School (Tamworth)
- Yanco Agricultural High School (Yanco)
Aurora College is a separate, virtual selective school for students in rural and remote NSW, taught online so children can stay at their local school.
How to apply & how placement works
Children apply in Year 6 and sit the Selective High School Placement Test for entry into Year 7 the following year. When you apply you nominate your preferred schools, in order. Each child receives one combined score, and places are then offered school by school according to demand: a popular school fills from the top scores down, so its entry cut-off ends up higher than a less in-demand school. That means the same score can win a place at one school and miss at another, and cut-offs shift year to year.
The official list can change
The authoritative, current list of selective high schools is maintained by the NSW Department of Education, and the exact number of schools and the fully/partially split are adjusted over time. For the definitive list, the current year’s application dates, and each school’s details, visit NSW Department of Education and search for “selective high schools”. Use this page to get oriented, and the Department’s site to confirm specifics before you apply.
Practise free on Kids Learning Hub
Kids Learning Hub’s free Selective Prep course covers Reading, Mathematical Reasoning, Thinking Skills and Writing, with full-length timed mock exams in the real test format — so your child walks into the placement test already familiar with it.
Start free Selective test practiceFrequently asked questions
How many selective high schools are in NSW?
There are around 50 schools with a selective stream in total: roughly 17 to 19 fully selective high schools, about 25 to 27 partially selective high schools, and 4 agricultural selective high schools, plus Aurora College for rural and remote students. The exact count changes from year to year, so check the NSW Department of Education for the authoritative current list.
What's the difference between fully and partially selective?
A fully selective high school enrols only students who gain a place through the Selective High School Placement Test. A partially selective high school has one or more selective classes alongside its regular local-enrolment classes, so only part of the school is selective.
How do you get into a selective high school?
Students apply in Year 6 and sit the Selective High School Placement Test for entry into Year 7. You list your preferred schools when you apply, and places are offered based on the test score against each school’s demand, so entry cut-offs differ between schools.
Which is the best selective school in NSW?
There is no single best school. Entry cut-offs and reputations vary, and the right choice depends on your child, travel, and the school environment that suits them. A higher cut-off reflects demand, not a guarantee of a better fit.
When is the selective test?
The Selective High School Placement Test is sat in Year 6 for entry into Year 7 the following year. Applications open the year before the test, so check the NSW Department of Education for the current year’s application and test dates.