Each year, The Sunday Times releases a league table of the top achieving state and private high schools in Scotland. Eight schools in Edinburgh made the top 99 list of best state secondaries, with one of the Capital’s schools being named amongst the very best in the country.
The rankings were based on exam results in 2023. Breaking down the top 99 placings, we’ve ranked the Edinburgh state high schools on the list in order from 1-9. It should be noted that not every school in Scotland is included in the table – there are 346 high schools across the country and the table only includes 99. The Sunday Times’ data team says: “If a school does not appear in the Parent Power league table it is most likely because it did not respond to our requests for its Highers, A-level and GCSE results, and the results could not be found in the public domain.”
Have a scroll through our picture gallery to see how Edinburgh’s best state high schools rank.
5. Firrhill High School
Where: 9 Oxgangs Road North, Edinburgh EH14 1DP. Firrhill High School was ranked as the fifth best state school in Edinburgh and the 26th= best in Scotland by the Sunday Times Schools Guide 2024. Photo: Third Party
6. Currie Community High School
Where: 32 Dolphin Ave, Currie, EH14 5RD. With no change from last year, this Edinburgh school was found to be the sixth best state secondary in the Capital by the Sunday Times. Currie Community High School also came in at 41st on the list of top Scottish schools. Photo: Third Party
7. Balerno High School
Where: 5 Bridge Road, Balerno, Edinburgh EH14 7AQ. Balerno High School came in at number seven on the 2024 list of top Edinburgh state schools. It was also ranked 44th in the Scotland-wide league table. Both positions are unchanged from last year. Photo: Third Party
8. Craigmount High School
Craigmount High School ranks as the eighth best state secondary in Edinburgh, according to the Sunday Times Guide. It was placed 50th= in the list of top Scottish state schools. Photo: Third Party