Year 7 and 8 students follow a compulsory curriculum that is largely determined by the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA).
Year 9 and 10 students follow a combination of mandatory and elective subjects. From Year 9 onwards, students can choose an increasing number of elective subjects for each stage.
In Years 11 and 12 students are prepared for the NSW Higher School Certificate. A broad range of courses are offered and the curriculum has a clear path to university entrance. The NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) requires students to study a minimum of 12 units in Year 11 and 10 units in Year 12.
Senior Schooling consists of the Stage 6 Curriculum studied during Years 11 and 12. All students must study at least four different subjects totalling a minimum of 12 Units in Year 11 and 10 Units in Year 12 including 2 units of English.
Curriculum choice patterns are formulated from student needs. A small number of students can negotiate or are invited into acceleration in one subject. At Normanhurst Boys High School, students have accelerated in Information Processes & Technology, Chemistry, Geography and Society and Culture.