NSW public schools have scored significantly above the national average in the 2025 NAPLAN assessment for the second year in a row.
NSW public schools represent more than one-third of the 183 schools across Australia who scored above the national average in NAPLAN, with NSW schools achieving good results in all areas tested and across all year groups.
Department of Education Secretary, Murat Dizdar, has congratulated NSW public sector teachers and school leaders on their strong NAPLAN performance.
Mr Dizdar said the test results for NSW public schools showed that a focus on explicit teaching in public schools, backed by CESE's What Works Best research, is having a positive impact.
"NSW public schools will build on these results to ensure every student has the support they need to achieve their potential.
"We know teachers are the single most important factor in improving student outcomes, and our relentless focus on supporting our teaching workforce with evidence-based professional learning will be critical in achieving this vision.
"For students who require additional support, targeted initiatives like the permanent small group tuition program are helping improve literacy and numeracy standards."
The 2025 NAPLAN results and school-based data has been released by the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) on the My School website today.
The data also includes the 2025 Schools Making a Difference list which highlights schools performing above expectations, compared with similar schools.
They include public primary schools at Carlingford West, Artarmon, Chatswood, St Johns Park, Hurstville, Murray Farm, Matthew Pearce, Eastwood, Epping West, Girraween and Beecroft. Canley Vale High School has also been recognised.
NSW public schools offer a first-class education, lifting student outcomes in literacy and numeracy and offering students the opportunities to excel in music, the arts, sports, debating and public speaking as part of our High Potential and Gifted Education program.
The ACARA data also shows strong improvements in attendance across NSW schools.
The proportion of students attending more than 90 per cent of the time increased four percentage points while daily student attendance lifted slightly to almost 88 per cent.
Departmental data shows student absences decreased by nearly one million days, or nearly 10 per cent, from 2024 to 2025.
