One of the questions we get asked more than almost anything else, right up there with ‘what’s the market doing?’ is this: ‘Which areas on the Central Coast have the best schools?’
It’s a completely reasonable thing to want to know. For families with kids in school, or parents thinking a few years ahead, school zoning and school quality can shape where you buy. And when we’re helping people find the right property on the Central Coast, we know it’s rarely just about the home itself, it’s about the whole picture. The suburb, the lifestyle, the community and yes, the local schools.
So when the NSW Department of Education recently recognised 45 public high schools across the state as the most improved in HSC results over six years, analysing data from 2019 to 2025, we took notice. And we were particularly proud to see not one, not two, but four Central Coast schools make that list.
What the NSW Department of Education Found
The recognition came in the form of letters jointly signed by Deputy Premier and Minister for Education Prue Car and NSW Department of Education Secretary Murat Dizdar, sent to 45 public high schools across NSW. The schools were selected from a pool of 452 public high schools and were identified for demonstrating consistent growth over seven years, an increase in students achieving higher HSC bands (Bands 4, 5 and 6), and strong progress across all student cohorts.
This year’s list nearly doubles the number of schools recognised in 2024, a signal that momentum is building across the public education system. As Secretary Dizdar put it, these schools are ‘quietly and consistently turning potential into achievement’.
For families considering a move to the Central Coast, the fact that four of those 45 schools are right here is worth knowing about.
The Four Central Coast Schools That Made the List
Northern Central Coast – Tuggerah Lakes Secondary College, The Entrance Campus (TLSC)
Located in The Entrance, TLSC serves the northern Central Coast corridor taking in suburbs including The Entrance, Long Jetty, Shelly Beach, Bateau Bay, Killarney Vale, Toowoon Bay and surrounds. This is a part of the Coast that offers incredible value for families, with lake and beach access, a relaxed pace of life and a strong community feel.
TLSC The Entrance Campus being recognised for sustained HSC improvement over six years is a meaningful endorsement of the work happening in classrooms here. For families relocating from Sydney who are drawn to the northern end of the Coast, it’s reassuring to know the local public high school is on an upward trajectory.
Central West – Lisarow High School
Lisarow High School sits in the heart of the Central Coast, servicing suburbs including Lisarow, Ourimbah and parts of Niagara Park, Palmdale and Fountaindale. It’s a central location that offers easy freeway access to both Sydney and Newcastle making it a popular choice for commuter families who want space without sacrificing connectivity.
Lisarow’s inclusion on the most improved list reflects the growth we’ve seen in this part of the Coast more broadly. It’s a region that often flies under the radar but consistently delivers on liveability and now it’s delivering academically too.
Central East – Kincumber High School
Kincumber High School services the surrounding beaches including Copacabana, Avoca Beach and MacMasters Beach. This is some of the most sought-after real estate on the Central Coast with properties offering a coastal lifestyle, quiet streets and a tight-knit community.
For families who have the Central Coast on their radar, Kincumber High’s recognition is another feather in the cap of an already desirable area.
Southern Central Coast – Brisbane Water Secondary College, Woy Woy Campus
Brisbane Water Secondary College’s Woy Woy Campus serves the southern end of the Central Coast, covering Woy Woy, Umina Beach, Ettalong Beach, Blackwall and the surrounding peninsula communities as well as St Huberts Island, Daleys Point and Empire Bay. Knowing that the local high school is performing well adds genuine substance to the appeal of this area.
The southern peninsula is a unique part of the Coast. It has a distinct character with it’s beachy, community-driven appeal, it’s a little more under the radar than some northern suburbs and has proven popular with Sydney buyers looking for a sea-change without straying too far from family.
What This Means for Families Considering the Central Coast
School zoning is one of those things that can feel overwhelming if you’re not from the area. Each school has a defined catchment and whether or not a property falls within that zone can make a real difference, particularly for families who have a specific school in mind.
Here’s what we find families often don’t realise:
School catchment boundaries don’t always follow the lines you’d expect. A street or two can make the difference between being in zone and out of zone. We’ve seen buyers fall in love with a property only to discover it falls just outside the catchment for the school they’d planned on. It’s the kind of detail that’s easy to overlook when you’re navigating a purchase on your own.
Beyond zoning, there’s the broader question of which suburbs cluster around particular schools and which school best suits your child’s stage of learning, interests, and the path you’re hoping they can access. These are conversations worth having before you start shortlisting properties.
How We Can Help
We get asked about schools all the time and we’re glad we do. It means people are thinking about the whole picture when they buy, not just the property in isolation, but what life actually looks like once they’re settled.
As buyer’s agents who work across the Central Coast, we know the school zones, we know the suburbs and we know the nuances that a listing description will never tell you. Whether you’re a family relocating from Sydney, a couple planning ahead, or parents who want to make sure their kids are set up well from day one, we can help you understand which areas align with your priorities and then find a property that fits.
We can help make sure the home you buy puts your family in the right position to make that choice freely.
If you’d like to talk through school zones, suburbs, or anything else about buying on the Central Coast, we’re always happy to have that conversation.
Wondering what the hidden value of a buyer’s agent is? Read more about why it’s not just about saving money here.