Hornsby Girls High School is an academically selective government secondary that draws high-potential students from across Sydney.
NAPLAN well above the national average at every tested year level; the result is an A+ overall.
Hornsby Girls High School is an academically selective government secondary that draws high-potential students from across Sydney. The Inspire program provides enrichment for gifted learners, while the school's strong pastoral culture and dedicated wellbeing services support students through intense academic work. Known for excellence in swimming and aquatics, the school balances rigorous learning with close attention to individual student welfare. It suits capable, motivated students who thrive in a challenging academic environment with genuine care for their growth.
Hornsby Girls High School is also known as HGHS, HGHS Hornsby and Hornsby Girls HS.
8 HSC Top Achievers — #17 of 240 New South Wales schools.
Hornsby Girls High School has an overall SchoolRank score of 95.5/100, rated "Excellent". This score is calculated from academic results, student growth, wellbeing, programs, and value for money. Academically, the school grades A+ (Excellent) against other Australian schools. The school's ICSEA (Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage) is 1209 (99th percentile; the national average is 1,000).
In 2025 NAPLAN testing at Hornsby Girls High School, Year 7 students averaged 708 across the tested NAPLAN domains, well above the national average of 540 for that year level, and Year 9 students averaged 725, well above the national average of 569 for that year level. Relative to national year-level averages, the school's strongest domain is Numeracy. National averages are specific to each year level, because NAPLAN scores are scaled so older year levels score higher. A school-wide average can't be compared with a single national figure.
Hornsby Girls High School is a medium-sized government secondary school with approximately 722 students. It offers education for years 7-12. Enrolment at Hornsby Girls High School is academically selective: all places are offered on entry-test results through the state's official selective process, not by catchment or address.
Yes. Hornsby Girls High School is a fully selective school: all places are offered on academic merit through a competitive entry test, so where you live doesn't determine entry. Entry is through the Selective High School Placement Test. The main entry point is Year 7. Applications go through the official state process, and entry cutoff marks are not published.
Hornsby Girls High School is a government school, so there are no tuition fees. Families may be asked to contribute to voluntary school fees covering materials, excursions, and activities. The school grades A+ (Excellent) for value for money, which weighs academic results against the cost of attendance.
Hornsby Girls High School has a student-to-teacher ratio of 13.5:1. This is around the national average of approximately 14:1, meaning class sizes are typical for Australian schools. Support staff make up 17% of the workforce, providing additional learning assistance and pastoral care. The student attendance rate is 95%, which is excellent.
In the 2025 HSC, 32 students at Hornsby Girls High School were all-round achievers, with results in the top band across 10 or more units. The school had 8 top achiever places across 2025 HSC courses. The Year 12 completion rate is 100%.
Hornsby Girls High School is located in Hornsby, NSW, in a major city. Its ICSEA is 1209 (99th percentile; the national average is 1,000). ICSEA measures the advantage of a school's community, from its parents' education and occupation, not the school's quality. A school with a lower ICSEA and strong academic results may be teaching particularly effectively.