North Sydney Girls High School: Selective Entry Guide

North Sydney Girls High School is a fully selective public school for girls on Sydney's lower North Shore, and one of the most sought-after girls' selective schools in the state. Admission is based entirely on academic results through the Selective High School Placement Test, and demand for its places is high — 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: Pacific Highway, Crows Nest, on the lower North Shore
• Enrolment: roughly 900–920 students
• Established: 1914
• Motto: Ad Altiora — "Towards Higher Things"
• Sister school: North Sydney Boys High School

What the School Is Like

North Sydney Girls describes itself as an academically selective school for girls committed to a "stimulating and challenging environment that develops resilient, connected and innovative learners," with a stated culture of academic excellence for gifted students. Alongside its academic program it runs a strong co-curricular music program — orchestras, bands, a jazz ensemble and choirs — plus drama and a diverse sporting program that includes rowing, water polo and fencing.

Set in Crows Nest near the St Leonards commercial precinct, the school draws students from across Sydney who compete for its places rather than a local catchment.

Academic Reputation

North Sydney Girls is widely regarded as one of the top-performing HSC schools in NSW and among the most competitive girls' selective schools. The school itself describes strong external-exam results, with many students achieving high ATAR ranks. It's worth being precise about ranking claims: the NSW Department of Education does not publish official rankings or entry cut-off scores, so any specific "state rank" comes from media compilations or the school's own statements, not an official league table. The reliable summary is that it is a leading academic girls' school with a long record of excellent results.

How Entry Works

Year 7 — the main entry point

North Sydney Girls High School offers 150 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

North Sydney 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

The NSW Department runs a separate application for entry into Years 8–12 when vacancies arise, and the school notes that additional places can open specifically for Year 11 entry via that later-year selection process. Entry into Year 12 is generally not offered. These places depend on vacancies, so Year 7 remains the main entry point.

Getting There

The Crows Nest campus is a short walk from Waverton station on the North Shore line, with St Leonards station and the Crows Nest / Victoria Cross metro stations also nearby, plus numerous bus routes including dedicated school services. As a selective school it draws girls from across the metropolitan area.

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. At a school this competitive, an uneven result can be overtaken by a more balanced 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

Where is North Sydney Girls High School?

On the Pacific Highway in Crows Nest, on Sydney's lower North Shore, near the St Leonards precinct.

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, and demand is high.

Does the 2027 gender balance change affect North Sydney Girls?

No. The 50/50 split applies to co-educational selective schools. As a single-sex girls' school, North Sydney 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?

Yes — a separate Years 8–12 process opens places when vacancies arise, including some Year 11 entry, 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.