Hills Grammar is proud to announce its recognition in The Educator’s 5-Star Best Schools 2026 report, a prestigious national ranking that celebrates Australian schools demonstrating excellence in student learning, wellbeing, innovation, inclusion and holistic development.
This is the second year that Hills Grammar has proudly achieved the 5 Star Best Schools recognition, alongside just 33 other Schools nationwide. The award credits the forward-thinking schools, highlighting those that go beyond academic achievement to create meaningful, future-focused learning experiences for students.
“This recognition reflects the dedication of our students, staff and families, who collectively contribute to a vibrant learning community where every individual is encouraged to explore their strengths, pursue excellence and prepare for a rapidly changing world,” said Principal Karen Yager.
The following article first appeared on The Educator website.
The educational model at Hills Grammar is built on the premise that academic development, co-curricular engagement and student wellbeing are inseparable, a philosophy applied consistently across its pre-Kindergarten to Year 12 community. This thinking shapes every aspect of school life, from how classrooms are structured to how students are supported and how staff develop.
The setting reinforces the approach. Nestled within 53 acres of bushland in Sydney’s Hills District, Hills Grammar draws on its natural environment as a deliberate educational resource. Student learning and co-curricular activities take advantage of the campus environment as a context for inquiry, resilience and interdisciplinary thinking, giving students learning experiences that a conventional metropolitan school environment rarely offers. The school’s values of respect, integrity, service and excellence are not simply stated; they are lived through the rhythms of daily school life on a campus built for exploration.
A structured co-curricular connect period is embedded in the weekly timetable, which is augmented by programs that run before and after school plus on weekends to keep participation accessible for all students. Sport, creative and performing arts, music, leadership and service learning, STEM and outdoor education each offer students a way to discover and develop their strengths outside the classroom. The Hills Education Passport for the Future formally validates the skills and passions students develop through these experiences, recognising achievement outside the curriculum, in modern technologies and real-world capabilities as credentials that travel with them beyond school.
Personalised support runs through every year level. Intentionally small class sizes allow teachers to know each student well, and heads of year and house mentors provide continuity of care across both academic progress and personal development. A cross-grade peer mentoring program builds connection and community across year groups.
Technology sits within that integrated model rather than apart from it. Staff serve as innovation leaders, guiding the adoption of generative AI across year levels, while regular parent and community seminars, including the annual May Media Mentor Month, extend AI literacy beyond the school gates. The inaugural Inspire Her Future Event brought together 80 students and leaders from CSIRO, Women in AI and industry to work through a design sprint on real-world AI problems, a concrete example of how Hills Grammar connects students with the world they are preparing to enter.
Professional learning is treated with the same importance as student learning. The Learning Centre Staff Program is designed around adult learning pedagogies and career-stage development, offering mentoring, leadership development and action research.
The school’s belief is direct: when staff are genuinely supported and inspired, students experience the difference in every classroom.