Hornsby Girls High School: Selective Entry Guide

Hornsby Girls High School is a fully selective public school for girls on Sydney's Upper North Shore, and one of the leading girls' selective schools in the state. For families in the Hornsby region and well beyond, it's a top choice on the Selective High School Placement Test — so here's an honest profile and a clear explanation of how entry works.

School Snapshot

• Type: Fully academically selective public high school, girls only
• Years: 7–12
• Location: Edgeworth David Avenue, central Hornsby, on the Upper North Shore
• Enrolment: roughly 720 students
• Established: 1930
• Motto: "Faith with Fortitude"

What the School Is Like

Hornsby Girls describes its motto as "faith" — confidence and belief in oneself and others — paired with "fortitude," meaning resilience and strength of character. It runs high-potential and gifted education programs (its "Inspire" program) alongside student wellbeing support, and is set among heritage buildings and specialist science facilities in central Hornsby.

The school is known for a strong co-curricular music program — concert, symphonic and jazz bands, string orchestra and participation in events like Schools Spectacular — as well as dance, sport, visual arts, languages and debating. Its student body is notably multicultural, reflecting families from across the region and beyond who compete for its places.

Academic Reputation

Hornsby Girls is widely regarded as a strong, consistent HSC performer and one of the leading girls' selective schools in NSW. The school itself has published claims such as being ranked among the top schools in the state and the top girls' school in particular years. It's worth being clear about these: the NSW Department of Education does not publish official rankings or entry cut-off scores, so figures like these are either the school's own statements or media compilations, not an official league table. The reliable takeaway is that it is a highly regarded academic school with a long record of strong results.

How Entry Works

Year 7 — the main entry point

Hornsby Girls High School offers 120 Year 7 places for 2027 entry, according to the NSW Department of Education.

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 single-sex school — the 2027 gender rule doesn't change entry here

Hornsby Girls is a girls-only school, so the NSW gender parity model that splits places 50/50 at co-educational selective schools from 2027 does not change how places are allocated here. Entry is decided purely by placement-test performance among girls applying.

Later-year entry

Entry into higher year groups is possible when vacancies arise, assessed through a separate selection process outside the Year 7 test. These places are limited and depend on availability, so Year 7 is the main and most reliable entry point.

Getting There

The campus is in central Hornsby, a short distance from Hornsby station — a major interchange on the North Shore and Northern lines with intercity connections. As a selective school it draws students from across the 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 — strong maths but weaker Reading or Thinking Skills — can be overtaken by a more even performer. 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

Where is Hornsby Girls High School?

In central Hornsby on the Upper North Shore, close to Hornsby station on Edgeworth David Avenue.

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 Hornsby Girls?

No. The 50/50 split applies to co-educational selective schools. As a single-sex girls' school, Hornsby Girls allocates places purely on placement-test performance.

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?

A limited number of later-year places open when vacancies arise, via a separate process, 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.