Public high schools across NSW have been recognised for driving academic improvement, delivering outstanding results in the 2025 Higher School Certificate (HSC).
Letters jointly written by Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car and NSW Department of Education Secretary Murat Dizdar went out to 45 schools congratulating them on their achievement.
This year's results almost doubles the number of schools honoured for their 2024 HSC results, including Dulwich High School of Visual Arts and Design, South Sydney High School and Hunter Sports High School being recognised for the second year in a row.
The schools were identified from across 452 public high schools that each year guide the estimated 40,000 Year 12 students through to the HSC.
Schools were identified for demonstrating consistent growth over seven years, for showing an increase in the number of students who achieved higher bands of the HSC, and for demonstrating strong progress for students across other bands.
Each school developed targeted improvement strategies to lift performance based on what works best, supported by system-wide evidence-based teaching practices with the explicit teaching of content and skills through the new NSW syllabuses, high expectations for every student, and a sustained focus on student wellbeing.
The identification of the 45 schools that have shown the greatest improvement in results in the top bands comes a year after the Minns Government set system-wide academic, HSC attainment and school attendance targets for all NSW public schools.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car said:
"These results show what can be achieved when teachers can focus their time and expertise in the classroom, providing high-impact teaching for their students.
"We are unwavering in our commitment to academic excellence, and we will continue to challenge our students to reach their full potential.
"This commitment is backed by the largest school building program in our state's history, more teachers in the classrooms and more opportunities for high potential and gifted students."
NSW Department of Education Secretary Murat Dizdar said:
"These HSC results show exactly what our Plan for NSW Public Education is all about - excellent teaching and high expectations for every student. These schools demonstrate that with the right support and quality teaching, our students achieve strong outcomes.
"This is public education at its best: lifting outcomes and delivering on the promise of opportunity for every child in every community.
"These schools are proof that great teaching changes lives. They are quietly and consistently turning potential into achievement - and that's a story that deserves to be shared."
