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"More rigorous" GCSE exams have caused most States schools' results to fall, according to Education, as the move to a new grading system started off with both "success stories and disappointments".
The Bailiwick's overall pass rate for pupils getting five A* - C or 9/4 grades including English and maths dropped from 68.4% last year to 63.9%.
Meanwhile, the private colleges celebrated improved grades, with Blanchelande showing marked improvement to become the island's top-performing school.
97% of students achieved at least five grades at that benchmark level, with 42% of pupils achieved grades 9-7.
"I’m delighted with our results; the students worked extremely hard and should be justly proud of their achievements," said Blanchelande College Principal Robert O’Brien. "Blanchelande’s vision is always for students to succeed while remaining well-rounded and happy, and these outcomes give us great confidence as we continue to prepare for opening our new sixth form in just over a year’s time."
Pictured: A summary of the States' schools GCSE results. The Bailiwick results include the three private colleges.
The Grammar School's A*-C/9-4 pass rate fell markedly from 97.6% to 88.6%, but Headteacher Kieren James said the new Attainment 8 grading system would take a more holistic view of youngster's academic achievements.
“I was really nervous for my mocks but I didn’t feel like that this morning. I am glad I didn’t because I didn’t need to worry," she said.
"My science grades pleased me the most as I wasn’t expecting to do as well as I did."
Ivy Paris-Smith, 16, was delighted to get the top grade in drama, a subject she is passionate about.
"I do it constantly in my spare time, I do a lot of drama and performances," she said. " Ireally enjoy it, but it’s not what I want to do as a career – I want to go into teaching."
Pictured: Becky Mann will be studying Maths, RS and Sociology at Sixth Form after getting 12 GCSEs.
52.6% of Les Beaucamps pupils, 47.8% of St Sampson's pupils and 39.5% of La Mare de Carteret pupils got at least five A*-C/9-4 grades including English and maths.
La Mare Headteacher Vikki Godley said they "had hoped for slightly higher results", but said that most had got what they needed to take their next step into academia or the world of work.
"Some have already started apprenticeships, others are going to sixth form, the College of FE or into employment," she said. "Some have quite exciting pathways - for example, one of our pupils is going to study fashion design in the UK."
Friends Corey Carre, Alex Crisell and Kian Langlois all achieved the grades they needed to get.
Corey is joining the RAF, Alex will be studying IT at college and Kian is going to the Sixth Form Centre to study business, core maths and economics.
“I didn’t need any formal qualifications for what I am going next which is going into the RAF," said Corey. "I don’t think I could have done any better – I got what I wanted to get. I didn’t do as well with my maths and English but I know that I have tried my hardest.
Alex said: “I was quite surprised with my results because I wasn’t expecting much but I got a lot better than I thought I would in my maths and English."
Pictured: It was all smiles for Corey Carre, Kian Langlois and Alex Crisell.
96.3% of Ladies' College students gained five 9- 4/A*- C grades, including English and maths. 73.2% of grades were 9 to 7 (A*/A) and six students achieved all 8/9(A*) grades.
Elizabeth College were slightly below that at 96%. Students at the College of Further Education also fared well, with 64% of Level 2 students achieving a Merit or above, compared to 41% last year.
"I am also very proud of our team at College, who are dedicated to the success of our students and I know that they will all be immensely proud of the students today," said Principal Louise Misselke. "The pass rates are well above the UK benchmark for further education and are a testament to professionalism, hard work and efforts of our team."
Education said it was not possible to make direct comparison between Guernsey and the UK, because "the qualifications counting towards the measures are not equivalent."
Pictured: College of FE Principal Louise Misselke presided over significant improvements in their results.
Education, Sport & Culture Vice-President Richard Graham said this year's results showed "room for improvement".
‘On behalf of the Committee, I would like to congratulate all students who have worked extremely hard to achieve these results today. Our thanks and congratulations also go out to the teachers and support staff who have enabled their pupils to achieve these results and the Committee wishes all our young people every success as they move to the next chapter of their lives.
"Amongst the many success stories it is clear that there are areas in which results are disappointing, and that there is room for improvement in our system. We must retain the highest possible aspirations for the young people of the Bailiwick."
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