Top 20 General Science SHSs in 2026, Programmes, and CSSPS Cut Offs
For junior high school leavers, securing a spot in a top-tier or the top 20 General Science SHSs that offer a General Science program is one of the most competitive milestones in Ghanaian secondary education. Landing a place in a prestigious Category A school requires exceptional grades.
A common point of confusion among parents and students is the concept of a “cut-off point” for Senior High Schools.
It is vital to clarify a key piece of information: Ghanaian Senior High Schools do not have fixed, predefined cut-off aggregates (like a static cut-off point of 6 or 10) for raw CSSPS placement.
The Top 20 General Science SHSs only admit students who make the needed grades and raw scores. In the absence of that, the chances of not being placed become super high.
Instead, the Computerized School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS) uses a competitive merit system based on your total raw score (the sum of your scaled scores in your best six subjects). The true “cut-off” is simply determined by the performance of the applicant pool and the limited capacity of the school that year.
To help you gauge what it takes to get in, we have compiled the definitive top 20 General Science SHSs in Ghana, alongside their other elective programs and the typical competitive raw score targets or aggregate trends required to secure admission.
Top 20 General Science Senior High Schools in Ghana
Here is the complete breakdown of elite institutions across the country, structured to give you a clear look at your options.
Schools 1 to 10: The Academic Powerhouses
| No. | School Name & Location | Alternative Programmes Offered | CSSPS Entry Profile & Target Grades |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Presbyterian Boys’ Secondary School (PRESEC Legon) 
Legon, Greater Accra | General Arts, Business, Visual Arts | Highly Competitive. Requires raw scores typically in the top 1–2% nationwide. Aggregates 6 to 8 (Raw score 470+) are standard for Science. |
| 2 | Prempeh College Sofoline-Kumasi, Ashanti | General Arts, Business, Visual Arts, Technical | Extremely Competitive. Consistently high demand. Requires Grade 1/A1 in Core Mathematics and Integrated Science. |
| 3 | Mfantsipim School Cape Coast, Central | General Arts, Business, Visual Arts, Technical | Elite Status. Exceptional performance required in core areas. Science entry targets a raw score comfortably above 450. |
| 4 | Adisadel College Cape Coast, Central | General Arts, Business, Visual Arts, Technical | Highly Competitive. Renowned for integrating science and ICT. Requires excellent raw placement scores. |
| 5 | Opoku Ware School Santasi-Kumasi, Ashanti | General Arts, Business, Visual Arts | Top Tier. Exceptional demand within the Ashanti region and nationwide. Raw scores must trend near-perfect. |
| 6 | Wesley Girls’ High School Cape Coast, Central | General Arts, Business, Home Economics, Visual Arts | Maximum Competitiveness. The premier girls’ school for Science. Requires straight A1s across core junior high subjects. |
| 7 | St. Augustine’s College Cape Coast, Central | General Arts, Business, Visual Arts | High Demand. Strong academic profile required, typically accepting students with aggregates 6 to 9. |
| 8 | Mfantsiman Girls’ Senior High Mfantseman, Central | General Arts, Business, Home Economics, Visual Arts | Highly Competitive. Excellent facilities for sciences and home economics. Solid single-digit aggregates preferred. |
| 9 | Achimota School Achimota, Greater Accra | General Arts, Business, Home Economics, Visual Arts | Highly Competitive. Diverse elite student body. Strong emphasis on raw score excellence for science placement. |
| 10 | Holy Child School Cape Coast, Central | General Arts, Business, Home Economics, Visual Arts | Elite Girls’ School. Demands high performance in the Basic Education Certificate Examination (B.E.C.E). |
Schools 11 to 20: Elite Category A Contenders that make up the final Top 20 General Science SHSs
Crucial Tips for JHS Graduates Aiming for General Science
If your long-term goal is to pursue medical sciences, architecture, or engineering fields, keep these factors in mind:
Focus heavily on Core Math and Integrated Science: Because CSSPS is entirely competitive, scoring an A1 or a high raw score in these foundational areas gives you a massive advantage when the computer algorithm matches you against thousands of other applicants.
Understand University Requirements Early: To study highly competitive science programs at universities like UG, KNUST, or UCC, you will eventually need strong WASSCE passes (ideally B3 or better) in Elective Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. Selecting an SHS with well-equipped modern laboratories sets that foundation early.
Choose Your Alternatives Wisely: While filling out your CSSPS choices, ensure your alternative programs (like General Arts, Business, or Technical) match your secondary strengths, just in case the raw score competition for the General Science stream peaks out at your first-choice school.
Are you currently selecting your schools or waiting for your B.E.C.E placement results? Let us know which school is your dream choice in the comments section below!
