Western Sydney and the Hills have Sydney's strongest group of co-ed selective schools. James Ruse ranked second in NSW in the 2025 HSC and had the most perfect 99.95 ATARs in the state. Baulkham Hills ranked seventh. Penrith and Girraween are both in the top 26. There are also six partially selective schools across Parramatta, Blacktown, Auburn, Granville and Richmond.
The schools at a glance
| School | Suburb | Students | Type | Year 7 places | 2025 HSC rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| James Ruse Agricultural High School | Carlingford | Co-ed | Agricultural (day) | 120 | 2 |
| Baulkham Hills High School | Baulkham Hills | Co-ed | Fully selective | 180 | 7 |
| Penrith High School | Penrith | Co-ed | Fully selective | 150 | 17 |
| Girraween High School | Girraween | Co-ed | Fully selective | 120 | 26 |
| Parramatta High School | Parramatta | Co-ed | Partially selective | 60 | 94 |
| Blacktown Boys High School | Blacktown | Boys | Partially selective | 30 | n/a |
| Blacktown Girls High School | Blacktown | Girls | Partially selective | 30 | n/a |
| Granville Boys High School | Granville | Boys | Partially selective | 30 | n/a |
| Auburn Girls High School | Auburn | Girls | Partially selective | 30 | n/a |
| Richmond Agricultural College | Richmond | Co-ed | Partially selective | 30 | n/a |
James Ruse Agricultural High School
James Ruse, in Carlingford, is a day school where agriculture is compulsory in Years 7 to 10. It's small, with 120 places, and has long been one of the most competitive selective schools in NSW. In 2025, 70.4% of its HSC results were in the top band, and 9 students achieved a 99.95 ATAR, more than any other school. Read our James Ruse entry guide.
Baulkham Hills High School
Baulkham Hills is the largest co-ed fully selective school in Western Sydney, with 180 places. It ranked seventh in NSW in 2025 (51.5%) and had 6 students with a 99.95 ATAR. Read our Baulkham Hills entry guide and compare James Ruse vs Baulkham Hills.
Penrith and Girraween
Penrith High School jumped from 30th to 17th in NSW in 2025, and it's the main fully selective option for families in Penrith, the lower Blue Mountains and the Hawkesbury. Read our Penrith guide.
Girraween High School, near Toongabbie, ranked 26th. With 120 places, it's a strong co-ed option for families in the Blacktown, Parramatta and Holroyd areas. Read our Girraween guide.
Partially selective schools
Partially selective schools run selective classes inside a larger local school. They suit students who want an extended class without a long commute, or a single-sex option close to home:
- Parramatta High School: 60 co-ed places, ranked 94th in NSW in 2025
- Blacktown Boys and Blacktown Girls: 30 places each
- Granville Boys and Auburn Girls: 30 places each
- Richmond Agricultural College: 30 co-ed places in the Hawkesbury
Opportunity classes in Western Sydney
OC classes for Years 5 and 6 run at North Rocks, Matthew Pearce, Dural, Ironbark Ridge, Greystanes, Quakers Hill, Toongabbie, Blacktown South, Blacktown West, Doonside, Penrith, Kingswood, St Clair and other schools. See our OC schools list.
Choosing between them
- Aiming for the top: James Ruse and Baulkham Hills are often the first two choices for Hills families. They're about 10 km apart, so travel rarely separates them. Agriculture and school size usually do.
- Further west: Penrith and Girraween are strong schools with shorter trips for most Western Sydney families.
- A backup that's close to home: a partially selective school as your third choice keeps travel manageable.
See all Sydney selective schools by region and the 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. See our NSW Selective practice tests and selective test sample questions.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best selective school in Western Sydney? By 2025 HSC results, James Ruse Agricultural High School, which ranked second in NSW.
Is James Ruse a fully selective school? Yes. It's an agricultural high school, and every student enters through the selective placement process.
Which Western Sydney selective schools are co-ed? James Ruse, Baulkham Hills, Penrith and Girraween are all co-ed and fully selective. Parramatta and Richmond Agricultural College are co-ed and partially selective.
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.