St Louis Grammar crowned Northern Ireland’s top school for A-Level results

St Louis Grammar School in Ballymena has been ranked the top-performing school in Northern Ireland for A-Level results after achieving an extraordinary 98% rate of pupils securing three or more A-Level passes at grades A*-C.

The achievement places the Ballymena school at number one in the Belfast Telegraph’s latest league table rankings for 2025, marking a major moment not only for the school community but for education in the wider North Antrim area.

It comes amid growing pressure and scrutiny across the education sector in Northern Ireland over academic standards, funding pressures and pupil wellbeing — making the scale of the St Louis success even more striking.

The school said the recognition reflects years of hard work by pupils, teachers and families, alongside what it described as a strong focus on pastoral care and supporting young people beyond the classroom.

A standout year for Ballymena education

According to the published figures, 98% of pupils entered for A-Levels at St Louis achieved at least three passes at grades A*-C during the 2024/25 academic year.

The school also revealed that 100% of pupils secured at least two A-Level passes in their chosen subjects — an achievement being hailed locally as exceptional.

The latest success coincides with another major milestone for the Ballymena school after becoming the first and only school in Northern Ireland to attain the SSAT Framework for Exceptional Education.

School leaders said the dual recognition reflects a wider culture within the school centred on academic ambition, pastoral support and community values.

In a statement, the school said:

“We’re incredibly proud to be recognised as the top achieving school in Northern Ireland for our A Level results by the Belfast Telegraph.

“This achievement reflects the hard work, commitment and ambition of our pupils, supported every step of the way by dedicated teachers, supportive families and a school community that believes every young person can achieve their very best.”

The school added that academic success at St Louis goes “hand in hand with strong pastoral care, family values and a genuine commitment to helping pupils flourish not only in the classroom, but in life”.

Principal praises resilience and commitment

Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph, St Louis principal Jacqui O’Neill paid tribute to both pupils and staff following the announcement.

“We are always immensely proud to be recognised for our exceptional A-Level results,” she said.

“We congratulate our students on their phenomenal success, which reflects their hard work, resilience, and commitment to excellence.”

Ms O’Neill also highlighted the role played by the wider school community, including governors, teachers and parents.

“As a school community, from governors and staff to parents and students, we are so proud of our school,” she said.

“As we celebrate these academic outcomes, we also celebrate our exceptional pastoral care, our broad and balanced curriculum and our child-centred ethos which ensures that every student is supported, valued, and able to thrive academically, personally, and emotionally during their time at St Louis.”

The school also thanked parents, past pupils, governors and the wider community for their continued support and encouragement.

Recognition for Ballymena and North Antrim

The achievement has also drawn praise from political representatives across the area.

North Antrim MLA and Ulster Unionist Party leader Jon Burrows described the results as “an absolutely outstanding achievement”.

“Huge congratulations to St Louis Grammar School, Ballymena on being ranked the top-performing school in Northern Ireland for A-Level results,” he said.

“This is a moment of real pride for Ballymena and for North Antrim, and a testament to what can be achieved through commitment, ambition, and strong support in education.”

The latest rankings also saw Ballymena Academy placed 16th in Northern Ireland, with 87% of pupils achieving three A-Levels at grades A*-C.

Together, the results reinforce Ballymena’s reputation as one of Northern Ireland’s strongest-performing areas for post-primary education and are likely to fuel further local pride in the town’s schools sector.

For many families across Mid and East Antrim, the results will also strengthen confidence in local education provision at a time when parents are increasingly focused on both academic outcomes and pupil support.

The recognition marks another significant chapter for St Louis Grammar School as it continues to build its reputation nationally while remaining deeply rooted in the Ballymena community.