Caringbah High School: Selective Entry Guide

Caringbah High School is a fully selective, co-educational public school in the Sutherland Shire, and the Shire's co-ed selective school. Academically selective since 1989, it draws students from more than fifty primary schools across south-eastern Sydney. If it's on your child's preference list, here's an honest profile and a clear explanation of how entry works.

School Snapshot

• Type: Fully academically selective public high school, co-educational
• Years: 7–12
• Location: Willarong Road, Caringbah, in the Sutherland Shire
• Enrolment: roughly 910 students
• Established: 1960 (academically selective since 1989)
• Motto: Omnia Vincit Diligentia — "Diligence conquers all"

What the School Is Like

Caringbah describes itself as a school "of high expectations, strong values and outstanding opportunity, with a proud tradition of educational excellence," committed to helping students "achieve their personal best, act with integrity and embrace opportunities." It balances academic rigour with wellbeing, and runs creative and performing arts, sport, leadership and extra-curricular programs. Each Year 7 cohort is drawn from over fifty primary schools across the south-eastern metropolitan area.

Academic Reputation

Caringbah is an academically selective school with a strong, long-standing academic record. As with every selective school, it's worth being precise: the NSW Department of Education does not publish official rankings or entry cut-off scores, so any specific rank or number online is unofficial. The reliable summary is that it is a well-regarded selective school.

How Entry Works

Year 7 — the main entry point

Caringbah High School offers 150 Year 7 places for 2027 entry, according to the NSW Department of Education (75 boys / 75 girls).

Most students join in Year 7 through the NSW Selective High School Placement Test, sat in Year 6. The test is computer-based and covers Reading, Mathematical Reasoning, Thinking Skills and Writing.

You nominate up to three selective schools in order of preference on the one application. Your preference order doesn't change your odds at any single school — it only decides which offer you receive if your child qualifies for more than one.

A co-ed school — the 2027 gender balance change applies here

Because Caringbah is co-educational, it's affected by the NSW gender parity model that applies from the 2027 intake. At co-ed selective schools, places are split equally between boys and girls, with boys competing against boys and girls against girls for their halves of the places (any odd place, and any places one gender doesn't fill, go on academic merit). This does not change how your child is assessed — the placement test is identical for everyone.

Later-year entry

Vacancies in Years 8–12 are filled through the Department's later-year placement process when places arise. Year 7 remains by far the main entry point.

Getting There

The campus is on Willarong Road, Caringbah, a short walk from Caringbah station on the T4 Eastern Suburbs & Illawarra line (Cronulla branch). As a selective school it draws students from across the south-eastern region rather than a local catchment.

What a Competitive Application Looks Like

There's no published cut-off, so aim for a strong, balanced result across all four sections of the placement test. A lopsided result can be overtaken by a more even one. The most reliable preparation is consistent practice with realistic, exam-style questions in the same computer-based format used on test day.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Caringbah High School co-ed or single-sex?

Co-educational — it's the co-ed selective school in the Sutherland Shire.

What score do you need to get in?

There's no officially published cut-off, and any specific number online is an unofficial estimate. Entry is decided by placement-test performance.

Does the 2027 gender balance change affect Caringbah?

Yes. As a co-ed selective school, places are split 50/50 between boys and girls from the 2027 intake. The placement test itself is unchanged.

Can you apply here and to other selective schools at the same time?

Yes. You list up to three selective schools in order of preference on one application. Order doesn't affect your chances at any single school.

Is there entry other than in Year 7?

Years 8–12 vacancies are filled when they arise, but Year 7 is by far the main entry point.

Related reading

• Selective High School Test dates 2028
• How selective placement scores are calculated
• The selective reserve list explained
• Gender parity in NSW selective schools from 2027

Prepare for the Placement Test with AcePath

Whichever selective schools you're aiming for, the placement test decides your child's options. Start with a free AcePath sample quiz to see where they stand in Reading, Mathematical Reasoning and Thinking Skills, then build an exam-ready routine with our OC and Selective practice test packs, which mirror the real computer-based format used on test day.