Nearly 1.3 million students from Years 3, 5, 7, and 9 participated in the annual NAPLAN tests earlier this year. The 2024 results, now released, highlight the schools achieving top marks in literacy and numeracy, offering a comprehensive look at academic excellence across the nation.
From Tasmania to Queensland, independent analysis of Year 5 and Year 9 scores has identified high achievers while exposing ongoing educational disparities.
Tasmania emerged as a standout, with Fahan School topping Year 9 rankings in writing, reading, spelling, and grammar, while also placing third in numeracy. Primary schools in Greater Hobart dominated, with Princes Street Primary School, Mount Stuart Primary School, and South Hobart Primary School ranking among the state’s best-performing schools. Despite the presence of government schools in the primary rankings, the secondary level was largely led by independent institutions, with Taroona High School being the only public school to break into the top ten.
In New South Wales, James Ruse Agricultural High School retained its reputation as a powerhouse, bolstered by exceptional numeracy results. Sydney Grammar School’s Edgecliff campus maintained its grip on the top primary school spot, with other elite schools like North Sydney Girls High and Conservatorium High showing impressive gains. Meanwhile, regional disparities in socio-educational advantage remain a defining characteristic of the state’s academic landscape.
Victoria’s results painted a mixed picture. While selective government schools like Melbourne High School and MacRobertson Girls High School upheld their positions among the state’s top secondary schools, several prestigious private schools faced declines. Presbyterian Ladies’ College, which led last year, experienced a drop in its average score, mirroring the trend seen in other high-fee institutions.
In Queensland, independent schools continued to dominate the rankings, making up 70 per cent of the top-performing institutions. Sunnybank Hills State School secured the top primary spot, while Queensland Academy for Science, Mathematics and Technology once again outshone its peers in the secondary rankings. Despite their strong showing, only a handful of state schools managed to crack the top lists, underscoring the state’s reliance on private education for high academic performance.
South Australia saw some dramatic shifts in the rankings, with Southern Montessori School dethroning Glenunga International High School as the top secondary performer. Dara School for gifted students surged to the top of the primary school rankings, overtaking long-time leader St Andrew’s School. These shifts reflect both the evolving nature of educational performance and the impact of tailored learning approaches in select institutions.
The broader picture of the 2024 NAPLAN results highlights a recurring theme: Australia’s top-performing schools are often located in areas of significant socio-educational advantage. This disparity has long been a point of contention, with experts cautioning against simplistic interpretations of ranking tables. The Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) continues to advocate for contextualised comparisons, urging parents to view results through the lens of each school’s unique circumstances.
While the rankings offer valuable insights, they also reignite debates about the fairness and utility of NAPLAN as a measure of educational success. Critics argue that such league tables risk overshadowing the achievements of schools working effectively with fewer resources. Despite these concerns, the results remain a key resource for parents navigating their children’s educational journeys, providing a glimpse into the schools excelling in a highly competitive landscape.
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