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About School League Tables



The Sunday Times published (Sept 2018) it's annual School League Tables for 2018. School league tables remain a sensitive issue for schools which understandably have reservations about having so much judged by a single criterion; one which can never fully reflect the extraordinary lengths that schools and individual teachers go to in order to get disadvantaged students past the exam line. We understand the concern felt by many that school league tables only paint part of the picture. However, we believe that if parents choose to be informed about progression rates to college from individual schools either as one of the criteria for selecting a school for their child or simply being interested in the information in respect of the school their child is attending, then the information should be available to them.

We currently opt not to provide on Schooldays.ie an overall list ranking schools throughout Ireland based on college progression levels (though we could). That said, we do provide progression information in respect of individual schools on each secondary school’s profile page on our site. Data is displayed for the last 12 years including the latest data for college admissions in Autumn 2022. To understand more about how to find the 2022 information on the schooldays.ie site, click here

While we do not reproduce the full Sunday Times Schools data on our site, we have provided below some extracts from their 2018 survey summarising schools within different regions/categories. You can also view notes on how they compiled the information. Note that a further set of 'League Tables' are published by the Irish Times & the Independent in late November each year based on the third level enrolments in autumn of the same year. Schooldays.ie also uploads this data to it's website.


See the breakdown of the top schools in the Sunday Times League Table by the following Sections:
'Top' 10 schools in Leinster
'Top' 20 schools in North Dublin
'Top' 20 schools in South Dublin
'Top' 20 schools in Munster
'Top' 20 schools in Cork
'Top' 20 schools in Connaught
'Top' 10 schools in Ulster
'Top' 20 boys schools / girls schools
'Top' 20 Mixed Schools

Recent Discussion threads


New School League Table Results (clamb90, 08/12 04:17)
Sunday Times School League Tables 2013 (horeakaii, 27/06 06:13)
Sunday Times School League Tables 2012 (Shane, 28/03 21:57)
Statistics on Leaving Cert Results (SchoolDays, 15/11 14:19)


2018

TOP 10 IN LEINSTER

(Excluding Dublin)
B=Boys G=Girls M=Mixed ........ Fee-paying schools in bold.
Type
2018
National
Rank
2016
National
Rank
% at University
1
St. Gerard's School, Bray, Co. Wicklow
M
40
70
69.9
2
Gaelcholaiste na Mara, Arklow, Co. Wicklow
M
42
83
69.2
3
Our Lady's Bower, Athlone, Co. Westmeath
G
44
47
68.8
4
Clongowes Wood College, Clane, Co. Kildare
B
47
22
67.5
5
Newbridge College, Newbridge, Co. Kildare
M
48
37
66.5
6
Kilkenny College, Castlecomer Rd, Kilkenny
M
52
92
65.6
7
Loreto Secondary School, Granges Rd., Kilkenny
G
57
69
65.2
8
Colaiste Naomh Mhuire, Naas, Kildare
G
64
-
64.4
9
Maynooth Post Primary School, Maynooth, Co. Kildare
M
65
84
64.3
10
Loreto Secondary School, Spawell Rd, Co Wexford
G
70
39
63.6

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TOP 20 IN NORTH DUBLIN

B=Boys G=Girls M=Mixed ........ Fee-paying schools in bold.
Type
2018
National
Rank
2016
National
Rank
% at University
1
Castleknock College, Castleknock, Dublin 15
B
11
10
81.6
2
Mount Sackville Secondary, Chapelizod, Dublin 20
G
14
31
79.4
3
Holy Faith Secondary School, Clontarf, Dublin 3
G
18
54
79.5
4
Belvedere College, Great Denmark St., Dublin 1
B
20
23
75.6
5
Colaiste Cois Life, Lucan, Co. Dublin
M
39
25
70.2
6
Dominican College, Drumcondra, Dublin 9
G
55
64
65.5
7
Castleknock Community College, Castleknock, Dublin 15
M
68
109
63.8
8
Santa Sabina Dominican College, Sutton, Dublin 13
G
77
-
62.2
9
Scoil Chaitriona, Glasnevin, Dublin 9
M
111
116
57.7
10
Ardscoil Ris, Griffith Ave, Dublin 9
B
122
138
55.7
11
Gaelcholaiste Reachrann, Donaghmede, Dublin 13
M
130
146
54.9
12
Malahide Community School, Malahide, Co. Dublin
M
141
173
53.9
13
Sutton Park School, Sutton, Dublin 13
M
161
225
52.0
14
St. Fintan's High School, Sutton, Dublin 13
B
162
168
51.9
15
Maryfield College, Drumcondra, Dublin 9
G
174
151
50.6
16
Mount Temple Comprehensive School, Clontarf, Dublin 3
M
178
214
50.0
17
Loreto Secondary School, Balbriggan, Co. Dublin
G
218
174
46.0
18
Skerries Community College, Skerries, Co. Dublin
M
247
206
44.1
19
Manor House, Raheny, Dublin 5
G
265
204
43.1
20
Colaiste Pobail Setanta, Dublin 15
M
272
-
42.7

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TOP 20 IN SOUTH DUBLIN

B=Boys G=Girls M=Mixed ........ Fee-paying schools in bold.
Type
2018
National
Rank
2016
National
Rank
% at University
1
Colaiste Iosagain, Booterstown, Co. Dublin
G
3
7
87.0
2
Gonzaga College, Ranelagh, Dublin 6
B
4
2
85.9
3
Loreto College, St. Stephen's Green, Dublin 2
G
5
12
8532
4
The Teresian School, Donnybrook, Dublin 4
G
6
6
85.1
5
Mount Anville Secondary School, Goatstown, Dublin 14
G
9
9
83.5
6
Alexandra College, Milltown, Dublin 8
G
16
4
77.2
7
Loreto High School, Rathfarnham, Dublin 14
G
17
19
76.5
8
Blackrock College, Blackrock, Co. Dublin
B
19
26
76.4
9
St Conleth's College, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4
M
25
48
75.2
10
Colaiste Eoin, Booterstown, Co. Dublin
B
26
18
74.9
11
St. Andrew's College, Blackrock, Co. Dublin
M
28
44
74.8
12
Muckross Park College, Donnybrook, Dublin 4
G
29
38
74.7
13
Holy Child Secondary School, Killiney, Co. Dublin
G
30
55
73.9
14
Rathdown School, Glenageary, Co Dublin
G
34
32
71.9
15
Loreto College, Foxrock, Dublin 18
G
35
27
71.6
16
St. Michael's College, Ailesbury Rd., Dublin 4
B
36
29
71.5
17
Sandford Park School, Ranelagh, Dublin 6
M
43
61
68.9
18
St Mary's College, Rathmines, Dublin 6
B
46
57
67.6
19
Loreto Abbey Secondary School, Dalkey, Co. Dublin
G
53
59
65.6
20
Catholic University School, Lwr Leeson St, Dublin 2
B
63
30
64.4

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TOP 20 IN MUNSTER

(Excluding Cork)
B=Boys G=Girls M=Mixed ........ Fee-paying schools in bold.
Type
2018
National
Rank
2016
National
Rank
% at University
1
Laurel Hill Colaiste FCJ, Sth Circular Rd., Limerick
G
1
1
96.4
2
Glenstal Abbey School, Murroe, Co. Limerick
B
22
13
75.5
3
Ardscoil Ris, Nth Circular Rd., Limerick
B
23
36
75.4
4
Gaelcholaiste Luimnigh, Limerick
M
24
28
75.4
5
Ursuline Secondary School, Thurles, Co. Tipperary
G
27
52
75.9
6
Crescent College Comprehensive, Dooradoyle, Limerick
M
31
24
73.4
7
Cistercian College, Roscrea, Co. Tipperary
B
33
16
71.9
8
Colaiste Ide, Dingle, Co. Kerry
B
37
11
71.5
9
St. Mary's Secondary School, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary
G
54
86
65.5
10
Rockwell College, Cashel, Co. Tipperary
M
56
71
65.4
11
Presentation Secondary School, Listowel, Co. Kerry
G
59
46
65.0
12
Castletroy College, Newtown, Co. Limerick
M
60
42
65.0
13
Colaiste Mhuire, Ennis, Co. Clare
G
62
76
64.7
14
Gaelcholaiste Chiarrai, Tralee, Co. Kerry
M
66
80
642
15
Rice College, Ennis, Co. Clare
M
81
93
61.1
16
Villiers Secondary School, Nth Circular Rd, Limerick
M
89
-
60.6
17
Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne, Bothar an Spa, Dingle, Co. Kerry
M
90
90
60.5
18
Scoil Mhuire agus Ide, Newcastle West, Dingle, Co. Limerick
M
102
-
58.9
19
Laurel Hill Secondary School FCJ, Sth Circular Rd., Limerick
G
109
67
58.1
20
Meanscoil na mBraithre, Ennistymon, Co. Clare
B
112
88
57.6

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TOP 20 IN CORK

B=Boys G=Girls M=Mixed ........ Fee-paying schools in bold.
Type
2018
National
Rank
2016
National
Rank
% at University
1
Scoil Mhuire, Sidney Place, Cork
G
2
5
97.1
2
Presentation Brothers College, Mardyke, Cork
B
7
3
85.0
3
Christian Brothers College, Sidney Hill, Cork
B
13
14
80.7
4
Mount Mercy College, Model Farm Road, Cork
G
21
21
75.5
5
St. Mary's Secondary School, Mallow, Co. Cork
G
38
63
71.3
6
Regina Mundi College, Douglas Rd., Cork
G
41
41
69.9
7
St. Angela's College, St. Patrick's Hill, Cork
G
45
43
68.1
8
St. Francis Capuchin College, Rochestown, Co. Cork
B
51
77
65.7
9
Presentation Secondary College, Mitchelstown, Co. Cork
G
72
3
63.0
10
St Mary's Secondary School, Macroom, Co. Cork
G
74
65
62.6
11
Sacred Heart Secondary School, Clonakilty, Co. Cork
G
82
75
61.1
12
Loreto Secondary School, Fermoy, Co. Cork
G
83
73
61.1
13
St Aloysius College, Carrigtwohill, Co. Cork
G
85
81
61.0
14
*Colaiste Choilm, Ballincollig, Co. Cork
M
92
74
60.0
15
Colaiste An Spioraid Naoimh, Bishopstown, Cork
B
97
53
59.3
16
Colaiste na Toirbhirte, Bandon, Co. Cork
G
100
79
59.2
17
Ardscoil Ui Urmoltaigh, Bandon, Co. Cork
B
105
56
58.6
18
Ashton School, Blackrock Rd, Cork
M
110
98
57.8
19
Colaiste Daibheid, An t-Ardan Theas, Co. Cork
M
114
85
57.3
20
Scoil Mhuire, Ballingeary, Cork
M
121
5
55.9

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TOP 20 IN CONNAUGHT

B=Boys G=Girls M=Mixed ........ Fee-paying schools in bold.
Type
2018
National
Rank
2016
National
Rank
% at University
1
Jesus & Mary Secondary School, Salthill, Galway
G
8
8
84.3
2
Colaiste na Coiribe, Tuam Road, Galway
M
10
15
81.7
3
Colaiste Iognaid SJ, Sea Road, Galway
M
12
20
81.3
4
Colaiste Ghobnait, Inis Oirr, Aran Islands, Galway
M
15
35
77.8
5
St. Joseph's College, Nun's Island, Galway
B
32
35
72.9
6
St. Joseph's Secondary School, Castlebar, Co. Mayo
G
49
40
66.7
7
St. Gerald's College, Castlebar, Co. Mayo
B
50
91
66.0
8
Presentation College, Athenry, Co. Galway
M
58
49
65.1
9
Dominican College, Taylor's Hill, Galway
G
61
50
65.0
10
Scoil Mhuire gan Smal, Roscommon
G
69
130
63.6
11
Calasanctius College, Oranmore, Co. Galway
M
84
125
61.1
12
Seamount College, Kinvara, Co. Galway
M
95
89
59.1
13
Scoil Phobail Mhic Dara, Carna, Co. Galway
M
108
94
58.3
14
Mount St Michael, Claremorris, Co. Mayo
G
113
107
57.6
15
St Mary's Secondary School, Ballina, Co. Mayo
G
136
123
54.2
16
Colaiste Chroi Mhuire, Spiddal, Co. Galway
M
137
60
54.1
17
Balla Secondary School, Balla, Co. Mayo
M
138
130
54.0
18
Colaiste Einde, Threadneedle Rd, Galway
M
140
142
54.0
19
Presentation College, Tuam, Co. Galway
G
151
49
53.1
20
Holy Rosary College, Mountbellow, Co. Galway
M
153
136
53.0

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TOP 10 IN ULSTER

(Excluding Northern Ireland)
B=Boys G=Girls M=Mixed ........ Fee-paying schools in bold.
Type
2018
National
Rank
2016
National
Rank
% at University
1
Loreto College, Cavan
G
86
111
61.0
2
Colaiste Ailigh, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal
M
91
-
60.4
3
Colaiste Oiriall, Ard Fea, Co. Monaghan
M
98
45
59.3
4
St. Louis Secondary School, Carrickmacross, Co. Monaghan
G
128
108
55.1
5
Pobalscoil Ghaoth Dobhair, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal
M
142
119
53.8
6
St. Louis Secondary School, Monaghan
G
145
121
53.5
7
Our Lady's Secondary School, Castleblayney, Monaghan
M
202
-
47.3
8
St. Macartan's College, Monaghan
B
205
148
46.9
9
St. Patrick's College, Cavan
B
214
-
46.2
10
Loreto Convent, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal
G
258
156
43.3
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TOP 20 BOYS' SCHOOLS

Fee-paying schools in bold.
2018
National
Rank
2016
National
Rank
% at University
1
Gonzaga College, Ranelagh, Dublin 6
4
2
85.9
2
Presentation Brothers College, Mardyke, Cork
7
3
85.0
3
Castleknock College, Castleknock, Dublin 15
11
10
81.6
4
Christian Brothers College, Sidney Hill, Cork
13
14
80.7
5
Blackrock College, Blackrock, Co. Dublin
19
26
76.4
6
Belvedere College, Great Denmark St., Dublin 1
20
23
75.6
7
Glenstal Abbey School, Murroe, Co. Limerick
22
13
75.5
8
Ardscoil Ris, Nth Circular Rd., Limerick
23
36
75.4
9
Colaiste Eoin, Booterstown, Co. Dublin
26
18
74.4
10
St. Joseph's College, Nun's Island, Galway
32
35
72.9
11
Cistercian College, Roscrea, Co. Tipperary
33
16
71.9
12
St. Michael's College, Ailesbury Rd., Dublin 4
36
29
71.5
13
St. Mary's College, Rathmines, Dublin 6
46
57
67.8
14
Clongowes Wood College, Naas, Co. Kildare
47
22
67.5
15
St. Gerald's College, Castlebar, Co. Mayo
50
91
66.0
16
St. Francis Capuchin College, Rochestown, Co. Cork
51
77
65.7
17
Catholic University School, Lwr. Leeson St., Dublin 2
63
30
64.4
18
CBC, Monkstown, Co. Dublin
75
66
62.5
19
St. Kieran's College Secondary School, College Rd, Kilkenny
79
-
61.6
20
Colaiste An Spioraid Naoimh, Bishopstown, Cork
97
53
59.3

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TOP 20 GIRLS' SCHOOLS

Fee-paying schools in bold.
2018
National
Rank
2016
National
Rank
% at University
1
Laurel Hill Colaiste FCJ, Sth Circular Rd., Limerick
1
1
96.4
2
Scoil Mhuire, Sydney Place, Cork
2
5
87.1
3
Colaiste Iosagain, Booterstown, Co. Dublin
3
7
87.0
4
Loreto College, St. Stephen's Green, Dublin 2
5
12
85.2
5
The Teresian School, Donnybrook, Dublin 4
6
6
85.1
6
Jesus & Mary Secondary School, Salthill, Galway
8
8
84.3
7
Mount Anville School, Goatstown, Dublin 14
9
9
83.5
8
Mount Sackville Secondary, Chapelizod, Dublin 20
14
31
79.4
9
Alexandra College, Milltown, Dublin 6
16
4
77.2
10
Loreto High School, Rathfarnham, Dublin 14
17
19
76.5
11
Holy Faith Secondary School, Clontarf, Dublin 3
18
54
76.5
12
Mount Mercy College, Model Farm Rd., Cork
21
21
75.5
13
Ursuline Secondary School, Thurles, Co. Tipperary
27
52
74.9
14
Muckross Park College, Donnybrook, Dublin 14
29
38
74.7
15
Holy Child School Killiney, Co. Dublin
30
-
73.9
16
Rathdown School, Glenageary, Co. Dublin
34
32
71.9
17
Loreto College, Foxrock, Dublin 18
35
27
71.6
18
Colaiste Ide, Dingle, Co. Kerry
37
11
71.5
19
St. Mary's Secondary School, Mallow, Co. Cork
38
-
71.3
20
Regina Mundi College, Douglas Rd., Cork
41
41
69.9

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TOP 20 MIXED SCHOOLS

Fee-paying schools in bold.
2018
National
Rank
2016
National
Rank
% at University
1
Colaiste na Coiribe, Tuam Road, Galway
10
15
81.7
2
*Colaiste Iognaid SJ, Sea Road, Galway
12
20
81.3
3
Colaiste Ghobnait, Inis Oirr, Aran Islands, Galway
15
35
77.8
4
Gaelcholaiste Luimnigh, Limerick
24
28
75.4
5
St Conleth's College, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4
25
48
75.2
6
St. Andrew's College, Blackrock, Co. Dublin
28
44
74.8
7
Crescent College Comprehensive, Dooradoyle, Limerick
31
24
73.4
8
Colaiste Cois Life, Lucan, Co. Dublin
39
25
70.2
9
St. Gerard's School, Bray, Co. Wicklow
40
70
69.9
10
Gaelcholaiste na Mara, Arklow, Co. Wicklow
42
83
69.2
11
Sandford Park School, Ranelagh, Dublin 6
43
61
68.9
12
Newbridge College, Newbridge, Co. Kildare
48
37
66.9
13
Kilkenny College, Castlecomer Rd, Kilkenny
52
92
65.6
14
Rockwell College, Cashel, Co. Tipperary
56
71
65.4
15
Presentation College, Athenry, Co. Galway
58
49
65.1
16
Castletroy College, Newtown, Co. Limerick
60
42
65.0
17
Maynooth Post Primary School, Maynooth, Co. Kildare
65
84
64.3
18
Gaelcholaiste Chiarrai, Tralee, Co. Kerry
66
80
64.2
19
The High School, Rathgar, Dublin 6
67
58
64.0
20
Castleknock Community College, Castleknock, Dublin 15
68
109
63.8

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Check out data from previous years:
2011 / 2012 / 2013 / 2014 / 2015 / 2016

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