These are the best-scoring HSC subjects for 478 schools

2 days ago 8

It is a school synonymous with academic excellence and mathematical prowess, where nine students received ATARs of 99.95 this year – and it counts one self-made billionaire and a Booker Prize winner as former students.

Yet selective public school James Ruse’s best-scoring subject in the 2025 HSC was agriculture, where pupils studied animal digestion, soil texture and cherry prices.

The Herald analysis of 2025 HSC results reveals the best subject for hundreds of school in the state, providing the school had 20 students or more enrolled in 2025.

For James Ruse, 100 per cent of the 30 students enrolled in agriculture each scored a band 6 – a mark of at least 90 per cent.

That achievement was matched only by Loreto Normanhurst, where all 22 students taking drama received a band 6 this year.

At selective school North Sydney Boys, 99 per cent of those enrolled in the HSC’s most difficult subject, mathematics extension 2, scored a band 6.

At non-selective public school Epping Boys, 91 per cent of the 21 students enrolled in mathematics extension 2 scored more than 90 per cent.

Other schools with remarkable results include Parramatta Marist High, where 95 per cent of the 21 students in studies of religion 1 received a band 6, and Abbotsleigh, where 83 per cent of the 40 girls enrolled in visual arts scored above 90 per cent.

For Catholic schools across the state, 18 recorded studies of religion I as their best result; mathematics advanced was the best subject of a further 13 Catholic schools.

One of the systemic Catholic system’s notable success stories this year was Marrickville’s Casimir Catholic College.

Casimir Catholic College principal Carmelina Eussen (in blue suit) with students after HSC results were released.

Its best subject was mathematics standard, with 20 per cent of the 20 students enrolled scoring a band 6.

Thanks to its performance in all subjects, it rocketed 83 spots up the Herald’s league table– a feat principal Carmelina Eussen said was thanks to the dedication of teachers and hard work of students over numerous years.

“It’s not just solely to do with year 11 and 12,” she said.

“We’ve worked really hard over the last couple of years to ensure that we have good classroom routines. Once you’ve got the students here, and they are attentive, they understand the importance of hard work.

“I cannot speak more highly of the teachers of this school – they’re collaborative, they work extremely hard. They offer holiday workshops for the students. They’re just outstanding educators.”

While the school had excelled in mathematics, she said school-wide initiatives such as a focus on writing skills, a pastoral care program which helped students cope when feeling overwhelmed with study stress and focusing on attendance as well as setting of high standards, had helped drive the result.

Other measures include restrictions on use of laptops in class, focusing on writing skills and providing consistent feedback to students.

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