Best Selective Schools in Hills District: Which One Should You Choose?

The Hills District, as residents often describe, is a “family-friendly” area. But what makes it a place families love?

“We have rich open spaces, low crime, excellent selective schools and access to jobs and these attributes make The Hills an attractive place for couples to raise their children,” the mayor of the region notes.

Here’s an overview of some of the excellent selective schools in and around Hills District:

Baulkham Hills High School

Academic Programs and Curriculum: The school’s curriculum, which follows the Australian Curriculum, includes subjects like Creative and Performing Arts, English, Human Society and Its Environment, Languages, Mathematics, Personal Development, Health and Physical Education, Science, Technological and Applied Studies, Religion and Ethics, and more. This wide range of subjects allows for a comprehensive educational experience.

Facilities and Infrastructure: This selective school campus includes a variety of sports facilities, such as aerobics, archery, basketball, and many more. They also have educational facilities like a library and digital library, counseling services, student exchange programs, and classrooms equipped with modern amenities. For visual and performing arts, facilities for art, dance, drama, and music are available.

Extracurricular Activities: This selective school in Hills District offers an extensive range of extracurricular activities. These include annual sports carnivals, participation in regional competitions, and various academic extra-curricular activities like Tournament of Minds, Future Problem Solving, Mock Trial, and Olympiad teams for various subjects. The school also has a vibrant creative and performing arts program, including school bands, choir, music nights, drama club, and more.

Admissions: Entry into Year 7 is based on results in the Selective High Schools Test. The school also accepts students into later years based on available vacancies and academic achievements from previous years.

 A parent praised the school saying, “This place is a great school if you want to achieve academically. The students here are all really intelligent and push you to achieve your full potential.”

While Baulkham Hills is in the Hills District, the following schools are at a traveling distance from the area.

James Ruse Agricultural High School

1. Academic and Extracurricular Programs: The school offers a comprehensive curriculum that includes subjects like agriculture, creative and performing arts, English, human society and its environment, languages, mathematics, and science. There is a strong emphasis on personal development, health, and physical education, as well as technological and applied studies. 

2. Extracurricular Activities: This best selective school near Hills District is known for its participation in various extracurricular activities. These include sports, with annual carnivals in swimming, cross-country, and athletics, and participation in regional competitions. The school also competes in the Quad-School Tournament against other selective high schools. Additionally, the school has a wide range of clubs and societies, including an Army Cadet Unit, which is one of the largest in Australia and offers comprehensive training in various skills.

3. Infrastructure and Facilities: The campus includes extensive sports facilities, educational facilities like libraries and digital libraries, and a variety of laboratories. It also has visual and performing arts facilities, and classrooms equipped with modern amenities.

4. Community and Student Support: The school places a high value on community involvement, with various opportunities for parents and students to engage with the school. It also focuses on student health and safety, offering counseling services and inclusive learning support.

 A student noted, “The teaching is very good and its facilities are well maintained. The good thing is that the bus routes are convenient from almost all areas in Sydney and the school helps children with all learning areas, not just Agriculture or maths.”

Penrith High School

1. School Environment and Curriculum: Penrith High School focuses on supporting its students through various means, such as wellbeing strategies and inclusive learning support. The curriculum includes a wide range of subjects like English, History, Languages, Mathematics, and Personal Development, Health and Physical Education, along with Creative and Performing Arts.

2. Extracurricular Activities and Facilities: This selective school in Hills District offers co-curricular activities, emphasizing the importance of a balanced education. There is a Bring Your Own Device policy, indicating a modern approach to technology in education.

3. Community Involvement: The school encourages the involvement of parents, carers, and the community in its operations, which fosters a supportive environment for students.

4. Student Reviews and Feedback: A review on SchoolParrot, rating the school 2.9 out of 5, suggests that while the school provides decent selective education and amenities, there are concerns about aspects like travel convenience, the focus on extracurricular activities, and certain faculty departments. The reviewer also noted a perceived “don’t try hard” mentality among students.

5. Notable Alumni: Penrith High School has produced notable alumni, including Linda Burney – a member of the Australian Parliament, and Tony Lauer – a former Commissioner of the New South Wales Police.

“Penrith Selective High School is a beautiful school. As a student, I can say that learning here is fun and educational at the same time, thanks to the excellent knowledge of the teachers. Application of practical tasks further make learning challenging and fun. Making friends here is very easy, and I really don’t realise when time goes from 9 to 3:20!”, a student explained.

Sydney Boys High School

Sydney Boys High School, located in Sydney, NSW, is notable for its strong academic performance and diverse curriculum. The school offers a comprehensive range of subjects across various departments, including English, Mathematics, Science, Music, Visual Arts, History, Social Science, and Languages, catering to a wide range of interests and abilities.

This selective school near Hills District’s academic achievements are highlighted by its consistent rankings in state examinations, demonstrating a strong record in academic performance. Sydney Boys High School’s curriculum, endorsed by the New South Wales Education Standards Authority, focuses on both traditional and modern subjects, ensuring a well-rounded education for its students.

In addition to academics, the school’s facilities include the Great Hall, tennis courts, a gymnasium, and libraries, providing a supportive environment for both academic and extracurricular activities.

As a parent noted:

“Would definitely recommend going to this school, the teachers are great and the education is top-tier. Lots of sports and extracurricular activities for you to choose from.”

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