These are the best performing state high schools in Glasgow, according to the latest data available released by the Scottish Government.
Each school has been measured on the percentage of pupils who received the Scottish Government’s educational “gold standard” of five Highers, or their equivalent, in 2025 – based on data published by the Scottish Government on its own website.
The top performing school in Glasgow this year in terms of academic attainment was Jordanhill School which was the best ranked high school in Scotland.
These Higher result tables do not reflect schools or rank them in terms of ‘best to worst’ as that would fail to take into account factors such as the support offered to children with complex needs, the effort and quality of the teaching staff, working conditions for said staff, quality of the student experience, the funding the school receives from Glasgow City Council, or whether or not the school is serving an underprivileged and disadvantaged area within the local authority.
Throughout our coverage, we use ‘Highers’ as a term to mean both Highers and equivalent qualifications at SCQF level 6 and above, such as Skills for Work Higher awards.
5. Hillhead High School
Hillhead High School in the West End saw 57% of their pupils achieve at least five Higher qualifications. It ranks fifth in Glasgow and 41st in Scotland. | Local Library
6. Shawlands Academy
Shawlands Academy in the Southside of the city is the sixth best performing high school in Glasgow as 52% of pupils gained at leave five Highers or more in 2025. Overall, Shawlands Academy ranks as the 61st best performing school in the country. | The Scotsman
7. Holyrood Secondary School
Holyrood Secondary School in the Southside is the seventh best performing school in Glasgow as 46% of pupils gained at leave five Highers or more in 2025. Overall, Holyrood Secondary School ranks as the 92nd best performing school in the country. | Holyrood Secondary School
8. St Andrew's Secondary School
St Andrew's Secondary School saw 41% of their pupils achieve at least five or more Highers. They are the eighth best performing school in the city and ranked 126th in Scotland. | Google Maps