Hurlstone Agricultural High School is a selective agricultural school in Glenfield offering both day and boarding pathways. It combines a strong academic program with compulsory agriculture studies, making it unique among Sydney's selective schools.
A respected selective school that blends academic rigour with agricultural education. The boarding option makes it accessible to families across NSW, not just Sydney.
Key Features
Languages: Japanese, French
Estimated Cutoff Scores
How Hurlstone compares under the old and new test systems.
Entry Requirements
- 1Sit the NSW Selective High School Placement Test (May 2026)
- 2List Hurlstone 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 Hurlstone entry.
Hurlstone offers excellent selective education with more accessible entry compared to Tier 1–2 metro schools.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions from parents about Hurlstone.
Hurlstone Agricultural High School is estimated to require scores in the range of 88-96 out of 120 on the new computer-based test format (equivalent to approximately 190-205 out of 300 on the old system). NSW DoE no longer publishes official cut-off scores, so these are estimates based on historical data.
Yes. Hurlstone Agricultural is one of the few selective schools in NSW that offers boarding. This makes it accessible to families across the state, including regional and rural families who want a selective education for their child without relocating.
Yes. Like James Ruse, agriculture is a compulsory part of the curriculum at Hurlstone Agricultural. Students engage with the school's farm and agricultural facilities as part of their education, alongside the standard selective academic program.
Both are selective agricultural high schools, but they differ significantly in competitiveness. James Ruse is the most competitive selective school in NSW (Tier 1), while Hurlstone is more accessible (Tier 5). Hurlstone offers boarding, which James Ruse does not. Both require agriculture studies. For families seeking a strong selective education with an agricultural component, Hurlstone is an excellent and more attainable option.
No. While agriculture is part of the school's identity and curriculum, most families choose Hurlstone for its strong selective academic program. The agricultural component adds breadth to the education rather than limiting career pathways. Graduates pursue careers across all fields including medicine, engineering, law, and science.