For families with a son, Baulkham Hills High School and Sydney Boys High School are often on the same shortlist, despite being 30 km apart. They ranked side by side in the 2025 HSC: Sydney Boys sixth and Baulkham Hills seventh. So the real choice is co-ed or boys-only, and the Hills or the city.
Side by side
| Baulkham Hills | Sydney Boys | |
|---|---|---|
| Suburb | Baulkham Hills | Surry Hills (Moore Park) |
| Students | Co-ed | Boys |
| Year 7 places (2027) | 180 (90 boys, 90 girls) | 180 boys |
| 2025 HSC rank | 7th | 6th |
| 2025 top-band results | 51.5% (623 results) | 54.2% (653 results) |
| 2024 HSC rank | 6th | 9th |
| 99.95 ATARs (2025) | 6 | Not in the top four schools |
| Sport | CHS (government schools' competition) | GPS (with Sydney's elite private schools) |
HSC results
The two schools are almost level. Sydney Boys edged ahead in 2025 after Baulkham Hills was ahead in 2024. Baulkham Hills had six 99.95 ATARs in 2025, among the most in NSW. On results alone, there's no strong reason to choose one over the other.
Co-ed or boys-only
This is usually the deciding question.
- Baulkham Hills is co-ed. Some families prefer this for social reasons or because siblings can attend the same school. From 2027 entry, it has 90 places for boys and 90 for girls.
- Sydney Boys is boys-only, with Sydney Girls next door for joint music, drama and social events.
There's no clear evidence that one type gets better results for high-ability students. Think about where your son would feel most comfortable.
Sport and culture
Sydney Boys is the only government school in the GPS association, with a strong rowing and rugby tradition against schools like Sydney Grammar and King's. Baulkham Hills plays in the government schools' competition and is known more for its academic and co-curricular breadth.
Location and travel
- Baulkham Hills suits families in the Hills, Parramatta and north-west.
- Sydney Boys suits the city, inner west, east and south, and anyone close to a train line into Central.
For a family in between, check both trips on the Transport NSW trip planner. An extra 30 minutes each way adds up to hundreds of hours over six years.
Which should you choose?
| Choose Baulkham Hills if your son... | Choose Sydney Boys if your son... |
|---|---|
| would prefer a co-ed school | would prefer a boys' school |
| lives in the Hills or north-west | lives closer to the city |
| wants a broad range of co-curricular activities | loves rowing, rugby or GPS sport |
Read our guides to Baulkham Hills and Sydney Boys. Also compare James Ruse vs Baulkham Hills and Sydney Boys vs North Sydney Boys.
Entry
Neither school publishes a cut-off. You can list both, along with a third school. Order them by where your son would most like to go. Putting a school first gives no extra chance.
Preparing for the test
For 2028 entry, applications close on 15 February 2027 and the test is on 13 and 14 May 2027. Our NSW Selective practice tests include 8 full timed mocks with worked explanations and human-marked writing.
Frequently asked questions
Is Baulkham Hills better than Sydney Boys? They ranked 7th and 6th in the 2025 HSC. Results are almost level, so co-ed vs boys-only and travel usually decide.
Is Baulkham Hills co-ed? Yes. From 2027 entry, it has 90 places for boys and 90 for girls.
Can girls apply to Sydney Boys? No. Sydney Girls High School, next door, is the girls' equivalent.
Sources: NSW Department of Education, selective school list and places for 2027 entry; 2025 HSC rankings compiled from the NESA Distinguished Achievers list; 99.95 ATAR counts as reported by schools. Not affiliated with either school.