James Ruse Agricultural High School (JRAHS)
Located in Carlingford, a suburb of north-western Sydney, the JRAHS consists of quite a number of buildings, located in a quadrangle.
Academic Performance
JRAHS is one of Sydney’s most famous schools in that it has topped the HSC rankings 25 years in a row. It is known to be miles above every other high school in the area in terms of academic achievement - the average student there has a great shot at medicine, and is almost guaranteed a spot in combined law. And of course, befitting its name, agriculture is treated as a compulsory subject.
Study atmosphere
Yet this also comes with its distinct disadvantages, the average JRAHS student is basically guaranteed to be taking tutoring on the side just to avoid dropping out, which is not only stressful and time-consuming but also assumes additional financial burden.
Extracurricular Actitivites
In terms of extracurricular activities, the school is well integrated in terms of its sports, arts, and music divisions. Not to mention, the school has a strong history of participating in many fundraising and volunteering activities, for instance World's Greatest Shave and the 40 Hour Famine, with many students receiving awards for outstanding participation in community service.
North Sydney Boys/Girls HS
Both NSB and NSG are government-funded, single-sex, academically selective secondary day schools. Both schools are located at Crows Nest, on the Lower North Shore of Sydney.
Academic Performance
Another one of Sydney’s top ranking high schools in terms of academic achievement, with NSB ranking 2nd and the NSG ranking 5th in the 2021 HSC school rankings. Many insiders claim that the NSHSs claim to fame is largely due to the friendly competitive studying environment within school grounds - instead of a reliance on extraordinary teaching staff.
Study Atmosphere
If you are a self motivated student looking for a safe and friendly environment to study in, then the NSHSs are for you. That said, most students are accustomed to study around 2 - 3 hours per day even during their junior years, so don’t expect to get off easy!
Extracurricular Activities
While less spectacular than those offered in James Ruse, the NSHSs do offer a diverse range of ECAs catering to both music drama fanatics as well as avid sportspersons. The two schools also conduct a combined musical annually.
Baulkham Hills HS
A government-funded academically selective co-educational high school, located in - surprise! - Baulkham Hills.
Academic Performance
Not as attractive in terms of academic performance on this list, but still third in the HSC rankings in 2021, Baulkham Hills HS boasts an impressive repertoire of bright forward-thinking students. In contrast to the other two high schools in this list however, Baulkham Hills has a history of variable teaching quality, with rumour has it some teachers slacking off, sleeping or texting during class.
Study Atmosphere
The studying atmosphere is also not particularly top notch considering its high academic ranking, with many of its graduates complaining about the studying may feel like a mindless regurgitation of facts, the inflexible adaptation of the school’s studying curriculum during the onset of COVID-19. But of course, study atmosphere is subjective. For those preferring traditional teaching mode, Baulkham Hills HS may be your type!
Extracurricular Activities
In terms of extracurriculars, Baulkham Hills once again has a lot to choose from. From academic to sports-related to more artsy activities - Baulkham Hills has it all. In fact, they regularly arrange tournaments with neighboring schools called the Tri-school and Quad school tournaments.