The exam result data shows which schools and council areas have the most successful pupils academically – topped by East Renfrewshire where six out of its seven secondary schools placed in the top 50.
Exam league tables do not rank schools from ‘best to worst’, as they do not take into account factors such as teaching quality, the number of pupils with special educational needs or whether the school serves a disadvantaged area.
Meanwhile, the Scottish Government says presenting exam performance figures in league tables is “misleading” because it overlooks such aspects but we are publishing them to provide parents with important information they can consider alongside inspection reports and other ways to assess the quality of local schools.
We have compiled them using exam performance data published by the Scottish Government on its own website. Where schools are tied, we have looked at the share of pupils passing four or more Highers, then three or more if necessary, to determine the ranking.
Across Scotland, 39 per cent of school leavers in 2022 had gained at least five Highers, or equivalent, the figures show.
This is lower than the previous two years, when the Covid-19 pandemic meant exams were cancelled and teacher assessments used to award grades, but higher than pre-pandemic levels.
Here are the 18 schools with the best exam results in Scotland.
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5. Douglas Academy
Rounding out the top five is Douglas Academy, in Milngavie. With 75 per cent of pupils gaining at least five Highers, it's the second most academically successful school in East Dunbartonshire. Photo: Google Maps

6. Cults Academy
When it comes to schools in Aberdeen City, Cults Academy has the best exam results. 74 per cent gain at least five Highers. Photo: Google Maps

7. Mearns Castle High School
Another East Refrewshire school takes seventh place. Mearns Castle, in Newton Mearns, has a success rate of 73 per cent for pupils achieving at least five Higher exams. Photo: Google Maps

8. Williamwood High School
Another East Renfrewshire school where 73 per cent of pupils leave with at least five Highers, Williamwood High School is in the commuter town of Clarkston. Photo: Google Maps

