Hornsby Girls High School is a highly regarded selective girls' school on Sydney's Upper North Shore. Known for its strong all-round academic performance and well-regarded music and creative arts programs, it consistently ranks among the top selective schools in NSW and is the premier girls' selective option for North Shore families.
Academically elite girls' school with strong all-round reputation. The go-to choice for North Shore families seeking a high-performing girls' selective school without travelling to the CBD.
Key Features
Languages: Japanese, French, German
Estimated Cutoff Scores
How Hornsby Girls compares under the old and new test systems.
Entry Requirements
- 1Sit the NSW Selective High School Placement Test (May 2026)
- 2List Hornsby Girls 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 Hornsby Girls entry.
Preparing for Hornsby Girls means targeting the top band in every section. The estimated cutoff scores place this school among the most competitive in NSW, so balanced excellence is essential.
Assess Current Level
Target Your Weaknesses
Master Time Management
Polish Your Writing
Simulate Exam Day
Focus on advanced Thinking Skills strategies, timed writing under exam conditions, and reading comprehension at the highest difficulty level. AI writing feedback can help identify exactly where to improve your argument structure and expression.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions from parents about Hornsby Girls.
Hornsby Girls is estimated to require scores in the range of 98–103 out of 120 on the new computer-based test format (equivalent to approximately 214–222 out of 300 on the old system). These are estimates, as NSW DoE no longer publishes official cut-off scores.
North Sydney Girls (Tier 1) has higher estimated cutoffs and is considered slightly more competitive overall. Hornsby Girls (Tier 2) is an excellent school in its own right with very strong academic outcomes. For Upper North Shore families, Hornsby Girls avoids the commute to Crows Nest and offers a similarly high-quality girls' selective education closer to home.
Yes. Hornsby Girls is particularly well-known for its music and creative arts programs, alongside strong debating, STEM clubs, and sport. The school offers a well-rounded experience beyond pure academics.
Hornsby Girls offers approximately 120 Year 7 places each year. With strong demand from across the North Shore, Hills District, and Northern Beaches, competition for these places is very high.
Yes. Hornsby Girls is located close to Hornsby Station, a major transport hub on the T1 North Shore Line. This makes it accessible for students from across the Upper North Shore, Ku-ring-gai, and parts of the Central Coast.