Each year, over 200 Sydney Boys High School students sit the Higher School Certificate (HSC). Since the new HSC commenced on average 72% of students score an ATAR/UAI of 90 or greater, and 15% score 99 or greater. In 2009, 156 students scored an ATAR of 90 or greater and 34 of students scored an ATAR of 99 or greater. Students are surveyed for their ATARs at the annual school brunch in the last week term 4 following the release of the ATARs. In the file below, students not in attendance have their ATARs estimated from their actual HSC results, using a reliable estimator program.

ATAR/UAI Breakdown 2001-2008

Each year, the Principal, Dr K Jaggar, gives a presentation on the results of the previous year. In 2010 this meeting was held during the P&C Meeting on Wednesday, February 17 in the Great Hall. The presentation document is provided below:

HSC Results 2009 Presentation
HSC Results 2008 Presentation
HSC Results 2007 Presentation

Students in Year 12 in NSW public schools are by the School Certificiate into higher, middle and lower performing students. Value-added progress analysis consists of graphs that show the comparison between School Certificate and Higher School Certificate results for each cohort in certain school groups:

HSC 2009 - Value-Added Progress - All Selective Schools
HSC 2009 - Value-Added Progress - Better Selective Schools
HSC 2009 - Value-Added Progress - Selective Boys Schools

The school's strength continues to be Mathematics. Students achieving, on average, for 2008 a score 5 marks above the state average in Mathematics, 7 marks above the state in Math Extension 1 and 13 marks above the state in Maths Extension 2. The school is similarly strong in sciences, social sciences, history and industrial arts/technology. The school's English results are not as strong, however figures demonstrate an improvement over time with English Advanced results now 6 marks above the state mean.

Subject HSC Results by Area (State vs School) 2001-2009
Subject ATAR/UAI Results by Area (State vs School) 2004-2009

Since the introduction of the New HSC in 2001, the number of "Band 6" results - scores of over 90 in a subject - have been steadily increasing across the state with a 54% increase in 2007 over 2001. This has been reflected in the school with a 80% increase in the number of band 6 scores in 2007 over 2001.

Growth of Band 6 Results 2001-2009

Broken down subject by subject, in numerical terms Sydney Boys High sees the majority of its Band 6 results in Mathematics and the Maths Extension subjects followed by English, sciences (Physics and Chemistry) and Economics. Small candidature subjects can achieve high percentage band 6 results - languages, Music, Ancient History, Visual Arts, Engineering Studies and Software Design.

Band 6 Results by Subject 2004-2009

Each year students who score 90 or above in 10 or more units of study are placed on the HSC All-Round Achievers list. Particular congratulations to the following students in the 2008 HSC who all placed on state order of merit for the top 20 results in a subject: Justin Zuo (UAI 100, 1st in Economics, 7th in Mathematics Extension 1, 7th in Physics), Simon Liu (Legal Studies, English Advanced), Alvin Leung (Legal Studies), Muhamed Mehmedbasic (Music Extension), Nathan Lieu (Legal Studies), Ajay Balacharian (Economics), Daniel Chim (Chemistry), Michael Bock (Legal Studies), Roy Wong (Engineering Studies), Simon Cheng (Mathematics).

The all-rounders list has high media exposure as it is sponsored by the Premier. High took the decision to enrol students in courses with the highest rigour. This policy makes achievement at the 90% level in 10 units difficult. Insufficient Band 6s in English have restricted opportunities to make the list. Not requiring students to sit for 12 units also potentially reduces representation on the list. However, UAI/ATAR values are rising, participation in co-curricular activities is rising and English results are improving.

Over 98% of Sydney High students go on to university education once they complete their HSC. Popular courses for students include business and commerce courses, various combined law degrees, medical sciences and engineering. The breakdown of degree programs for the Class of 2008 (entering university in 2009) follows.

Degree Programs - 2001-2008

The general trend is for at least one third (and up to a half) of students to attend the University of New South Wales, another third attend the University of Sydney and the remainder are spread primarily to the University of Technology, Sydney and Macquarie University, but some attending other universities around the state, inter-state and overseas. In 2007 (2008 entry), a majority of students chose to attend the University of New South Wales - the largest percentage for 10 years.

The full table of student destinations between 1995 and 2008 (entering university between 1996 and 2009) is also available:
Student Destinations 1995-2008

Noticeable trends for the 2009 entry include:

• A particularly high number of students chose UNSW as their university. Some 55% of the candidature enrolling there from the 2008 cohort.
• An continued trend to Engineering, reversing a trend of lower numbers that existed through the mid-2000s
• The continued decline of Law, corresponding with an upswing in Medicine and Medical Science.