The latest NAPLAN results are in, and NSW public primary schools have plenty to feel chuffed about. A new ranking of the top 100 public primary schools in NSW has been released, highlighting the schools leading the way in reading, writing and numeracy across Years 3 and 5. 

What are the Top 100 Public Primary Schools in NSW?

Taking out the number one spot is Beecroft Public School, followed by Roseville Public School, Matthew Pearce Public School in Baulkham Hills, St Ives North Public School and Lindfield East Public School. In other words, Sydney's north has entered the group chat, and they've scored an A+!

The rankings spotlight some of the state's strongest-performing public primary schools, with many of the top spots going to Sydney schools, particularly those in the north and north-west. But it is not all leafy postcodes and school-zone real estate panic. The list also includes a mix of larger campuses and smaller standout schools, showing that strong results can come from all kinds of school communities.

While NAPLAN is only one measure of a school's performance, it remains one of the clearest snapshots of how students are tracking in key literacy and numeracy areas. ACARA also notes that school results should be considered alongside other factors such as curriculum, extracurricular offerings, facilities and the overall school environment. Translation: yes, the numbers matter, but so do the teachers, the culture, the playground politics and whether your child actually wants to walk through the gate each morning.

For families researching the best public primary schools in NSW, the top 100 list is a handy starting point, especially if you are comparing school catchments, planning a move, or simply indulging in a little educational curiosity. 

NSW's Top 100 Public Primary Schools For 2026
 

1. Beecroft Public School, Beecroft — national rank 1
2. Roseville Public School, Roseville — national rank 2
3. Matthew Pearce Public School, Baulkham Hills — national rank 3
4. St Ives North Public School, St Ives — national rank 4
5. Lindfield East Public School, East Lindfield — national rank 5
6. Epping Public School, Epping — national rank 8
7. Cherrybrook Public School, Cherrybrook — national rank 13
8. Artarmon Public School, Artarmon — national rank 14
9. Murray Farm Public School, Carlingford — national rank 15
10. Hornsby North Public School, Hornsby — national rank 17
11. Oakhill Drive Public School, Castle Hill — national rank 21
12. Carlingford West Public School, Carlingford — national rank 23
13. Gordon East Public School, Gordon — national rank 24
14. Epping West Public School, Epping — national rank 25
15. North Rocks Public School, North Rocks — national rank 26
16. Neutral Bay Public School, Neutral Bay — national rank 27
17. Dobroyd Point Public School, Haberfield — national rank 28
18. Hurstville Public School, Hurstville — national rank 29
19. Epping Heights Public School, Epping — national rank 30
20. Woollahra Public School, Woollahra — national rank 31
21. Eastwood Public School, Eastwood — national rank 33
22. Pymble Public School, Pymble — national rank 34
23. Lindfield Public School, Lindfield — national rank 35
24. Summer Hill Public School, Summer Hill — national rank 36
25. West Pymble Public School, West Pymble — national rank 37
26. West Ryde Public School, West Ryde — national rank 39
27. Denistone East Public School, Eastwood — national rank 40
28. Warrawee Public School, Turramurra — national rank 41
29. Gordon West Public School, Pymble — national rank 42
30. Wahroonga Public School, Wahroonga — national rank 46
31. Girraween Public School, Girraween — national rank 47
32. Earlwood Public School, Earlwood — national rank 48
33. Jasper Road Public School, Baulkham Hills — national rank 49
34. Kent Road Public School, Eastwood — national rank 50
35. John Purchase Public School, Cherrybrook — national rank 52
36. Turramurra Public School, Turramurra — national rank 53
37. Camdenville Public School, Newtown — national rank 54
38. Excelsior Public School, Castle Hill — national rank 58
39. Annandale Public School, Annandale — national rank 59
40. Beaumont Road Public School, Killara — national rank 60
41. Ermington Public School, West Ryde — national rank 64
42. Chatswood Public School, Chatswood — national rank 65
43. Forestville Public School, Forestville — national rank 68
44. Strathfield North Public School, North Strathfield — national rank 69
45. Bella Vista Public School, Bella Vista — national rank 71
46. Cammeray Public School, Cammeray — national rank 74
47. Waitara Public School, Wahroonga — national rank 75
48. Glenmore Road Public School, Paddington — national rank 76
49. Sydney Distance Education Primary School, Surry Hills — national rank 77
50. Annangrove Public School, Annangrove — national rank 78
51. Mosman Public School, Mosman — national rank 79
52. Lane Cove Public School, Lane Cove — national rank 89
53. Crestwood Public School, Baulkham Hills — national rank 90
54. Randwick Public School, Randwick — national rank 94
55. Balmain Public School, Balmain — national rank 95
56. Castle Hill Public School, Castle Hill — national rank 96
57. Rose Bay Public School, Rose Bay — national rank 97
58. Castle Cove Public School, Castle Cove — national rank 101
59. Coogee Public School, Coogee — national rank 102
60. Ashfield Public School, Ashfield — national rank 107
61. Bellevue Hill Public School, Bellevue Hill — national rank 108
62. Mowbray Public School, Lane Cove — national rank 109
63. Haberfield Public School, Haberfield — national rank 112
64. Turramurra North Public School, North Turramurra — national rank 117
65. Normanhurst Public School, Normanhurst — national rank 118
66. Samuel Gilbert Public School, Castle Hill — national rank 120
67. Paddington Public School, Paddington — national rank 123
68. Waverley Public School, Waverley — national rank 124
69. Smalls Road Public School, Ryde — national rank 127
70. Killarney Heights Public School, Killarney Heights — national rank 128
71. Normanhurst West Public School, Thornleigh — national rank 130
72. Carlingford Public School, Carlingford — national rank 138
73. Marie Bashir Public School, Strathfield — national rank 140
74. Truscott Street Public School, North Ryde — national rank 142
75. North Ryde Public School, North Ryde — national rank 144
76. Vaucluse Public School, Vaucluse — national rank 145
77. Balgowlah Heights Public School, Balgowlah — national rank 148
78. Epping North Public School, North Epping — national rank 152
79. Baulkham Hills North Public School, Baulkham Hills — national rank 153
80. Northbridge Public School, Northbridge — national rank 154
81. Greenwich Public School, Greenwich — national rank 155
82. Oatley West Public School, Oatley — national rank 156
83. Pennant Hills Public School, Pennant Hills — national rank 158
84. Thornleigh West Public School, Thornleigh — national rank 160
85. Beauty Point Public School, Mosman — national rank 164
86. Killara Public School, Killara — national rank 165
87. Sutherland Public School, Sutherland — national rank 169
88. Roselea Public School, Carlingford — national rank 172
89. Erskineville Public School, Erskineville — national rank 173
90. Kellyville Public School, Kellyville — national rank 175
91. Forest Lodge Public School, Forest Lodge — national rank 176
92. Eastwood Heights Public School, Eastwood — national rank 178
93. Bronte Public School, Bronte — national rank 182
94. Ironbark Ridge Public School, Rouse Hill — national rank 183
95. Willoughby Public School, Willoughby — national rank 188
96. Rozelle Public School, Rozelle — national rank 190
97. Crown Street Public School, Surry Hills — national rank 194
98. Leichhardt Public School, Leichhardt — national rank 203
99. Caddies Creek Public School, Glenwood — national rank 204
100. Double Bay Public School, Double Bay — national rank 205

FAQs About NSW Primary School Rankings

How should parents use primary school rankings?

School rankings can be a helpful starting point, especially if you are comparing catchments, planning a move or weighing up local school options. But they should not be the whole story. Families should also look at school culture, leadership, wellbeing programs, learning support, extracurricular activities, commute times, before and after-school care, facilities and whether the school feels like the right fit for their child. In other words, NAPLAN matters, but so does the vibe at the school gate.

Are these NSW primary school rankings based on NAPLAN?

The rankings are based on the latest available 2025 NAPLAN results, alongside other school performance indicators, such as student engagement, class sizes and school community demographics.

Are private schools included in this NSW primary school ranking?

This list focuses on public primary schools in NSW. The next list of top private public schools will be released shortly. Families comparing public, Catholic and independent schools should also review each school's individual profile, fees, curriculum and facilities.

Is NAPLAN the best way to choose a primary school?

NAPLAN can be a useful academic snapshot, but it should be considered alongside school culture, facilities, extracurricular activities, wellbeing support, location and your child's individual needs.

What is the top public primary school in NSW?

Beecroft Public School is ranked as the top primary school in NSW in the latest rankings.

What are the top 5 public primary schools in NSW?

The top five are Beecroft Public School, Roseville Public School, Matthew Pearce Public School, St Ives North Public School and Lindfield East Public School.

These results were published on The Daily Telegraph using data from myschool.edu.au/ACARA.

Parents can visit ACARA for more information about NAPLAN.

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