Hornsby Girls High School: Entry Guide, HSC Results & How to Get In

Hornsby Girls High School is a fully selective girls-only school on Sydney's Upper North Shore with 120 Year 7 places. Entry is via the NSW selective placement test — no cut-off scores are published. In 2024 it ranked #7 in NSW by HSC results, with every HSC student appearing on the Distinguished Achievers list.

Hornsby Girls High School: What Parents Need to Know

Hornsby Girls has a sister school relationship with Normanhurst Boys High School, providing joint musical productions and shared events while maintaining single-sex classrooms. With approximately 720 students, the school is smaller than many selective schools, offering closer teacher-student relationships.

This guide covers entry, outcomes, and preparation via our selective school preparation hub, test format guide, preparation strategies, Selective Ultimate Pack, sample reasoning paper, and free mock tests.

In this guide you will find:

• Hornsby Girls' 2024 HSC milestone and what it means
• Realistic entry competition for girls-only selective schools
• How Hornsby Girls compares with North Sydney Girls
• FAQ on music programs, sister school links, and preparation

Hornsby Girls Entry Guide

Navigate to school profile, entry, preferences, or FAQ

1. About Hornsby Girls
2. Entry Requirements
3. HSC Performance
4. Preference Strategy
5. FAQ

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About Hornsby Girls High School

Hornsby Girls at a Glance

Key facts for 2024–2026

#7

HSC Ranking NSWState ranking 2024

120

Year 7 PlacesAvailable annually

1930

EstablishedHeritage-listed campus

100%

DistinguishedAll HSC students 2024

The student body represents 48 cultural heritages, with strong music programs including Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Jazz Band, and multiple orchestras. The heritage-listed 1930s main building gives the campus a distinctive character.

Hornsby Station provides rail access from the Northern Line and Central Coast Line. For comparison with other girls' schools, see our North Sydney Girls entry guide and Sydney Girls entry guide.

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Entry Requirements

Prepare for Hornsby Girls Entry

Structured practice across Reading, Mathematical Reasoning, Thinking Skills, and Writing for the computer-based selective test.

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There is no published cut-off score. Following strong 2024 HSC results, competition for Hornsby Girls is likely to increase. Competitive candidates should aim for Top 10–15% performance across all four test components.

The four test components (each 25% from 2026): Reading, Mathematical Reasoning, Thinking Skills, and Writing (typed). Hornsby Girls values strong reading and writing — but maths and Thinking Skills still determine composite ranking.

See our selective test components guide.

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HSC Performance

Based on Better Education data

Hornsby Girls HSC Rankings (Recent Years)

Year	State Rank	Band 6 Rate
2024	#7 in NSW	52.0%	100% Distinguished Achievers
2023	#14 in NSW	41.8%	Solid performance
2022	#9 in NSW	46.0%	Strong results
2021	#8 in NSW	51.0%	Excellent year

In 2024, 100% of HSC students (all 123 students) appeared on the Distinguished Achievers list — meaning every student achieved at least one Band 6 (90%+) in an HSC subject. This made Hornsby Girls the highest-ranked all-girls school in NSW for that year.

Source: Hornsby Girls High School; HSC rankings via Sydney Morning Herald 2024 school rankings.

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Preference Strategy

Hornsby Girls should be Preference 1 if your daughter scores in the Top 10–15% across practice tests, you prefer a girls-only environment, and the Hornsby location is accessible.

For families targeting Hornsby Girls

Strategic Backup Schools

School	Why Consider	Competition
North Sydney Girls High School	Girls only, North Shore, strong music	Very high	Alternative Pref 1
Sydney Girls High School	Girls only, historic, inner city	High	Preference 2
Baulkham Hills High School	Co-ed if flexible on gender	Very high	Preference 2
Normanhurst Boys (brothers)	Sister school for sons	High	Separate application

Hornsby Girls and Normanhurst Boys are sister schools with joint productions — but admissions remain separate. Each child needs their own application and test performance.

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FAQ

How does Hornsby Girls compare to North Sydney Girls?

Both are excellent girls-only selective schools. Hornsby Girls achieved #7 overall in 2024 with 100% Distinguished Achievers. North Sydney Girls has a strong music program and Crows Nest location. Choose based on location, school size (~720 vs larger), and culture.

What does "100% Distinguished Achievers" mean?

The Distinguished Achievers list includes students who achieve Band 6 (90%+) in any HSC course. Hornsby Girls achieving 100% means every Year 12 student earned at least one Band 6 — not that every subject result was Band 6.

What is the relationship with Normanhurst Boys?

Sister schools with joint musical productions, concerts, and some shared events. They remain separate schools with separate admissions processes.

How strong is the music program?

Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Jazz Band, multiple orchestras and chamber groups, regular performances, and joint productions with Normanhurst Boys. Prior musical experience is not required to participate.

Will competition increase after 2024 results?

Demand is likely to increase following the #7 ranking and 100% Distinguished Achievers milestone. Prepare for higher entry standards than historical data alone suggests.

What are the 2026 selective test key dates?

Applications close 20 February 2026; the test runs 8–9 May 2026. See our 2026 key dates guide.

Does attending an OC class help?

OC is not required but builds reasoning skills useful for the selective test. See our OC test guide.

Benchmark selective readiness for Hornsby Girls

Use a free mock test to see how your Year 6 student handles all four components under timed conditions.

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