To recognise its most improved schools, the NSW Department of Education used top two and top three band HSC data from the Centre of Education Statistics and Evaluation.

Hunter River High School has built on its appearance in the 2022 most improved list with another strong showing in the top three bands.

Hunter River High School principal Deb Dibley said it's a fantastic result for the school.

"It's fabulous recognition for our students and our staff who work so hard to support our students," she said.

Ms Dibley has been at Hunter River High School for the past 20 years and principal for the past ten years and said the school has refined a lot of different things when it comes to their senior students.

"We've done a lot to do with professional learning to make sure that our staff have got the skills to really be able to push the kids," she said.

Teachers doing HSC marking is great professional development, Ms Dibley said.

"We've got more and more teachers doing HSC marking," she said.

According to Ms Dibley, one of the school's biggest game changers is the senior learning area which was a new addition to the school about five years ago.

Students also each have a staff mentor who they discuss their goals with and who essentially act as a go-to person for those students.

"Our HSC results have been improving since 2017 and we have a lot of subjects that are above the state average," Ms Dibley said.

Hunter River High School also do a lot with their Year 10 students to ensure they are selecting the most suitable subjects for their senior pathways.

"We have conversations with their parents as well and speak with the students about what they want to do and what they need to do to get there," Ms Dibley said.