Girraween High School is a co-educational selective school in Western Sydney, widely regarded as the academic powerhouse of the region. With strong and consistent HSC results, it is the top selective choice for many families in Western Sydney and a credible alternative to Hills District schools like Baulkham Hills and James Ruse.
Western Sydney's academic powerhouse with fierce local devotion. Parents choose Girraween for its strong outcomes, co-ed environment, and the advantage of a shorter commute compared to Hills District selective schools.
Key Features
Languages: Japanese, Hindi
Estimated Cutoff Scores
How Girraween compares under the old and new test systems.
Entry Requirements
- 1Sit the NSW Selective High School Placement Test (May 2026)
- 2List Girraween as a preference on your application
- 3Score competitively across all four modules: Reading, Maths, Thinking Skills, and Writing
- 4Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident
How to Prepare
A structured approach to preparing for Girraween entry.
A strong, balanced performance across all four sections is key to gaining entry to Girraween. Consistent practice across Reading, Maths, Thinking Skills, and Writing will build the confidence and speed needed for test day.
Assess Current Level
Target Your Weaknesses
Master Time Management
Polish Your Writing
Simulate Exam Day
Practise under timed conditions to build exam stamina and focus on any weaker areas. Use AI writing feedback to refine your typed responses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions from parents about Girraween.
Girraween is estimated to require scores in the range of 95–100 out of 120 on the new computer-based test format (equivalent to approximately 210–215 out of 300 on the old system). These are estimates, as NSW DoE no longer publishes official cut-off scores.
Baulkham Hills (Tier 1) has higher estimated cutoffs and a larger intake of 180 places. Girraween (Tier 3) is a strong alternative with solid academic results and a co-ed environment. For families in Western Sydney — particularly around Parramatta, Blacktown, and Penrith — Girraween can offer a significantly shorter commute while still providing a high-quality selective education.
Yes. Girraween is widely regarded as the best fully selective school in the Western Sydney corridor. It has deep local community ties, strong parent engagement, and consistent academic outcomes that make it a first-preference school for many families in the area.
Girraween offers approximately 120 Year 7 places each year. Competition is strong given its reputation as the top selective school in Western Sydney.
Girraween is particularly well-regarded for its mathematics and science programs, with students consistently achieving strong results in these areas at HSC level. The school also offers solid programs across all key learning areas.