What NSW's Top-Performing Schools Can Teach Us About NAPLAN Prep

A Sydney Morning Herald analysis, published May 2026, identified 160 NSW high schools recording the strongest growth in maths and literacy across the state. The findings are a reminder that results don't come down to resources or postcode. They come down to method.

Here is what the data showed, and what it means for your child's preparation.

What the Research Found

The analysis used government NAPLAN data from the My School website, tracking student results from Year 7 in 2023 to Year 9 in 2025. Schools were grouped by socio-educational advantage, which levels the playing field and makes the comparison meaningful.

The schools that came out on top ranged from a south-western Sydney public high school to some of the state's most well-known independents. What they shared had nothing to do with funding.

The Standout Schools

• Ingleburn High School recorded the largest literacy growth among similarly advantaged schools
• St Andrew's Cathedral School posted the biggest overall improvement
• Marist College North Shore was among the top performers in numeracy
• Ravenswood, Tangara, Loreto Kirribilli, and Our Lady of Mercy College Parramatta all recorded significant numeracy gains

What These Schools Are Doing Differently

The teaching methods behind these results were consistent across very different school environments. Five practices kept coming up.

1. Clear Learning Intentions

Before each lesson, students know exactly what they are working on and why. There is no ambiguity about the goal.

2. Rapid Comprehension Checks

Rather than waiting until the end of a unit to find out if students understood, these schools check in constantly. Mini whiteboards, exit tickets, and quick questions after each concept.

3. Timed Engagement Intervals

Ingleburn High School uses a two-minute interval model to keep students actively engaged throughout a lesson. Short, focused bursts of attention rather than long passive stretches.

4. Explicit Writing Instruction

St Andrew's Cathedral School runs a formal writing program that targets punctuation, sentence structure, and language directly. Skills are taught, not assumed.

5. Connecting Learning to Goals

Marist College North Shore links lesson content to students' own ambitions. When students understand why something matters, they engage with it differently.

What This Means for Your Child

These principles translate directly to how your child practises at home, especially when preparing for NAPLAN, Opportunity Class, or selective school entry.

Apply it at home:

• Set a clear goal before each practice session, for example "today we are working on reading comprehension"
• Use timed practice tests to build focus and exam stamina
• Review every question after a session, not just the ones your child got wrong
• Keep sessions short and focused. Twenty to thirty minutes is more effective than long, passive study
• Use worked answer explanations so every question becomes a learning opportunity

Avoid:

• Open-ended study with no clear purpose
• Long sessions that trail off into distraction
• Skipping the review stage after a practice test
• Leaving preparation until the weeks before the test

The Common Thread

The schools at the top of this list, across every advantage level and every school type, shared one thing. Structured, intentional practice with regular feedback. That is exactly what good test preparation looks like at home too.

If your child is preparing for NAPLAN, OC, or selective school entry, the Excel Test Zone test packs are built around these same principles. Every pack includes full-length timed tests, worked answer explanations, and progressive difficulty so your child builds real skills, not just familiarity with the format.

Explore our Test Packs and start for free today.

Sources

Henriques-Gomes, L. (2026, May 13). Revealed: Top 160 NSW high schools for maths and literacy growth. Sydney Morning Herald. https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/revealed-top-160-nsw-primary-schools-for-maths-and-literacy-growth-20260513-p5zwjx.html