The North Shore has the most concentrated group of high-performing selective schools in NSW. North Sydney Boys ranked first in the state in the 2025 HSC, and four of the top eight schools in NSW are on the North Shore. All of them are single-sex, which makes the Northern Beaches' co-ed NBSC Manly and the partially selective Chatswood and Ryde important options for families who want co-ed.
The schools at a glance
| School | Suburb | Students | Type | Year 7 places | 2025 HSC rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Sydney Boys High School | Crows Nest | Boys | Fully selective | 150 | 1 |
| North Sydney Girls High School | Crows Nest | Girls | Fully selective | 150 | 4 |
| Normanhurst Boys High School | Normanhurst | Boys | Fully selective | 120 | 5 |
| Hornsby Girls High School | Hornsby | Girls | Fully selective | 120 | 8 |
| Northern Beaches SC, Manly Campus | North Curl Curl | Co-ed | Fully selective | 120 | 25 |
| Chatswood High School | Chatswood | Co-ed | Partially selective | 60 | 64 |
| Ryde Secondary College | Ryde | Co-ed | Partially selective | 60 | n/a |
Lower North Shore
North Sydney Boys High School and North Sydney Girls High School sit side by side in Crows Nest. Both are among the most sought-after selective schools in NSW. North Sydney Boys has topped the state's HSC rankings three years running, with 71.6% of its 2025 HSC results in the top band, and had 7 students with a perfect 99.95 ATAR. North Sydney Girls ranked fourth (60.5%).
Read our guides to North Sydney Boys and North Sydney Girls, and compare them with the city schools: Sydney Boys vs North Sydney Boys and North Sydney Girls vs Sydney Girls.
Chatswood High School is partially selective, with 60 selective places in a larger comprehensive school. It's a co-ed option for families who want selective classes without a single-sex school.
Upper North Shore
Normanhurst Boys High School (fifth in NSW) and Hornsby Girls High School (eighth) are smaller schools, with 120 places each. Both suit families in the Hornsby, Ku-ring-gai and Hills border areas who want a top-ten school with a shorter trip than Crows Nest.
Ryde
Ryde Secondary College is partially selective, with 60 co-ed selective places. It's close to the Hills and Parramatta, so it also attracts families from the north-west.
Northern Beaches
Northern Beaches Secondary College, Manly Campus in North Curl Curl is the only fully selective school on the Northern Beaches, and it's co-ed, with 120 places. It ranked 25th in NSW in 2025. For many Beaches families it's the only selective school within a reasonable commute.
Opportunity classes on the North Shore and Beaches
For Years 5 and 6, OC classes run at Artarmon, Chatswood, Neutral Bay, Lindfield East, Wahroonga, Waitara, Beecroft, Ryde, Ermington, Balgowlah Heights, Brookvale and Mona Vale public schools. See our OC schools list.
Choosing between them
- Want co-ed? NBSC Manly, Chatswood and Ryde are your North Shore options. James Ruse and Baulkham Hills are a longer trip to the west. See Western Sydney selective schools.
- Single-sex? Crows Nest (NSB, NSG) vs the Upper North Shore (Normanhurst, Hornsby). Travel is usually the deciding factor.
- Listing three preferences? Many North Shore families list a Crows Nest school first, then an Upper North Shore school, then a partially selective school, but only list schools your child would happily attend.
There are no published cut-offs. See all Sydney selective schools by region and our NSW selective schools ranking.
Preparing for the test
Applications for 2028 entry open on 5 November 2026 and close on 15 February 2027. The test is on 13 and 14 May 2027. Practise with our NSW Selective practice tests, or start with our selective test sample questions.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best selective school on the North Shore? By 2025 HSC results, North Sydney Boys High School, which ranked first in NSW. North Sydney Girls was fourth.
Is there a co-ed selective school on the North Shore? Not fully selective. Chatswood High School and Ryde Secondary College are partially selective and co-ed. NBSC Manly on the Northern Beaches is fully selective and co-ed.
Do I need to live on the North Shore to apply? No. Selective schools have no catchment areas.
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 the NSW Department of Education or any school.