Direct Answer
Yes, Asquith High School and Hornsby High School are both transitioning to fully co-educational campuses by the start of the 2027 school year. As of the NSW Department of Education’s latest capacity update (1 June 2026), both schools will have places available for international students in Years 7 through 11 in 2027, whereas in 2026 they only offered places up to Year 10. This marks the final phase of a multi-year shift away from single-sex education for these Northern Sydney schools. The move expands choice for families who may be unfamiliar with, or prefer not to select, a boys-only or girls-only public high school. It is important to note, however, that Asquith and Hornsby do not represent the entire NSW system: around 7 boys-only and 13 girls-only public secondary schools remain. As stated by the NSW Department of Education, the capacity data is a guide only and there is no guarantee of placement. All information is current as of 1 June 2026.
What Is Changing at Asquith and Hornsby High Schools in 2027?
Both schools began admitting students of all genders in earlier year levels several years ago. The 2027 expansion means they will complete the transition across all senior years that accept international enrolments. According to the official capacity update:
- Asquith High School · Northern Sydney · 2026: Capacity in Years 7,8,9,10 · 2027: Capacity in Years 7,8,9,10,11
- Hornsby High School · Northern Sydney · 2026: Capacity in Years 7,8,9,10 · 2027: Capacity in Years 7,8,9,10,11
This means international students starting Year 11 in 2027 or applying for entry into Years 7–10 will be able to study at a fully co-educational campus. The schools will no longer operate as single-sex institutions for any year level open to international enrolments.
Why Are These Schools Going Co-Educational?
The shift aligns with broader community demand and changes in local demographics. Many families moving into the Hornsby and Asquith areas – including a growing number of international students – prefer a co-educational environment. Some parents from cultures without a long tradition of single-sex schooling feel uneasy about restricting their child’s daily learning environment to one gender. UNILINK has observed in its case data that international families often prioritise schools that reflect the mixed-gender world their children will enter after graduation. By becoming fully co-ed, Asquith and Hornsby become more accessible and attractive to a wider range of applicants.
It is also a pragmatic response to enrolment pressures. When a school serves only one gender, its catchment and appeal are naturally halved. Expanding to a mixed model can help maintain strong student numbers and the viability of a broad curriculum, particularly in senior years where subject choices depend on sufficient enrolment numbers.
Which NSW Public Secondary Schools Are Still Single-Sex in 2026?
As of 1 June 2026, approximately 7 boys-only and 13 girls-only public high schools continue to operate in NSW. These are spread across metropolitan and regional areas. Some well-known single-sex public schools include:
- Northern Beaches Secondary College Manly Campus (co-ed selective, but the nearby Balgowlah Boys Campus and Mackellar Girls Campus are single-sex)
- Canterbury Boys High School
- Canterbury Girls High School
- Riverside Girls High School
- Burwood Girls High School
- Strathfield Girls High School
- Fort Street High School (co-ed, but historically selective; the list is not exhaustive)
International students can still apply to these single-sex schools, provided places are available and the school is registered to accept international enrolments. A list of current single-sex schools that accept international students can be found via the NSW School Finder and the Department’s capacity update.
How Does This Affect International Student Applications?
The expansion of co-educational options in Northern Sydney means more flexibility for families who want a mixed-gender environment without having to look further afield. However, it does not constitute a guarantee of a place. The capacity data is a snapshot, and schools can fill up quickly once applications open. UNILINK recommends that families:
- Check the latest capacity list for Asquith and Hornsby directly through an authorised agent or the NSW Department of Education.
- Apply early – places in Years 7 and 11 are often the most competitive.
- Consider a backup choice – if your first preference is full, alternative co-ed schools in the area, such as Ku-ring-gai High School or Turramurra High School, may have availability.
What Should Families Weigh Up When Choosing Between Single-Sex and Co-Ed?
For families new to Australia, the single-sex versus co-educational question can feel unfamiliar. Here are key factors to consider:
- Academic outcomes – Some studies suggest single-sex environments can reduce gender stereotyping in subject choices, but the evidence is mixed. What is clearer is that a school’s overall teaching quality and pastoral care matter more than its gender intake.
- Social development – Co-educational schools offer daily interaction between genders, which many parents see as important preparation for university and work.
- Personal comfort – A student who feels anxious or distracted around the opposite gender might benefit from a single-sex school during adolescence. Others thrive socially in a mixed setting.
- Extracurricular balance – Single-sex schools sometimes offer programmes tailored strongly to one gender, but co-ed schools can provide a broader range of activities that appeal to all students.
Remember that international students have the additional layer of adjusting to a new culture and language. Being in a school that feels academically and socially supportive should be the top priority. If you are uncertain which setting suits your child best, speaking with an experienced education agent who understands both the NSW system and the needs of international families can help. See our guide to choosing an education agent in Australia for tips on what to look for.
Who This Is For (And Who It’s Not)
Suitable for:
- International families who strongly prefer a co-educational public high school in Northern Sydney.
- Students entering Years 7–11 in 2027 who want a newly integrated campus where all year levels are mixed.
- Parents unfamiliar with single-sex schooling and concerned about their child’s social development in a single-gender environment.
- Families looking for a mid-tier, comprehensive public school with a strong community feel and easy access to Sydney’s upper north shore.
NOT suitable for:
- Families specifically seeking a single-sex education – several boys-only and girls-only public schools remain available in other parts of Sydney.
- Students needing a confirmed place in 2027 at Asquith or Hornsby; capacity is a guide only, and demand may outstrip supply.
- Those needing a school with a specialised high-performance sports or arts stream – both schools offer standard comprehensive programmes, not selective streams.
- Learners who prefer a very small school environment; both Asquith and Hornsby are medium-to-large comprehensive high schools.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: By 2027, will all years at Asquith and Hornsby be completely co-educational?
A: Yes. From the start of the 2027 academic year, all year levels that accept international students (Years 7–11) will be mixed. The schools will no longer operate any single-sex classes for those year groups.
Q: Are there still single-sex public schools available for international students in NSW?
A: Yes. Around 7 boys-only and 13 girls-only public secondary schools remain. Many of these accept international students, though capacity is limited and varies by year level. You can check the latest availability through the NSW Department of Education’s capacity list or via the School Finder website.
Q: Does the move to co-education change the school’s enrolment catchment rules?
A: For international students, there is no strict residential catchment. Placement is based on school capacity, English language proficiency, and other criteria set by the NSW International Students Program. Becoming co-ed does mean a broader applicant pool, which could increase competition, but the fundamental enrolment process stays the same.
Q: How far in advance should I apply for a 2027 placement at Asquith or Hornsby?
Data Source and Methodology
The information in this article is drawn from the NSW Department of Education International Students Capacity Update, dated 1 June 2026. This document lists public secondary schools that are registered to accept international fee-paying students and indicates the year levels where capacity exists. The data is updated regularly, but the snapshot used here represents the most current public information as of the publication date.
Key points about the data:
- Guide only – capacity details are indicative. An available spot in the list does not guarantee an offer of enrolment.
- The update reflects planned transitions to co-education at Asquith and Hornsby High Schools as confirmed by the Department for the 2027 intake.
- All numbers of single-sex schools remaining are approximate and based on the Department’s register of schools participating in the international program.
UNILINK has cross-referenced this data with the NSW School Finder and direct communication with the Department to ensure accuracy.
Sources
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NSW Department of Education, International Students Capacity Update, 1 June 2026
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Department of Home Affairs – Student visa (subclass 500)
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UNILINK internal case data on international student school placement trends
If you need help navigating school choices or the application process, UNILINK’s free assessment service can connect you with a specialist who understands the NSW public school system and international student requirements. Get in touch to discuss your options.