Small government primary school in Balmain, serving K–6 students in a major city location.
NAPLAN well above the national average at every tested year level and growth above the national median; the result is an A overall.
Balmain Public School is also known as BPS Balmain.
Balmain Public School draws students from the Balmain PS.
Balmain Public School has an overall SchoolRank score of 81.1/100, rated "Excellent". This score is calculated from academic results, student growth, wellbeing, programs, and value for money. Academically, the school grades A− (Excellent) against other Australian schools. The school's ICSEA (Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage) is 1172 (98th percentile; the national average is 1,000). Notably, student growth grades A− (Excellent).
In 2025 NAPLAN testing at Balmain Public School, Year 3 students averaged 441 across the tested NAPLAN domains, above the national average of 407 for that year level, and Year 5 students averaged 567, well above the national average of 490 for that year level. Relative to national year-level averages, the school's strongest domain is Numeracy. National averages are specific to each year level, because NAPLAN scores are scaled so older year levels score higher. A school-wide average can't be compared with a single national figure.
Balmain Public School is a small government primary school with approximately 321 students. It offers education for years K-6. As a government school, enrolment is generally available to students living within the school's designated catchment zone. Families outside the zone may apply for out-of-area placement subject to availability.
Balmain Public School is not a selective school as a whole, but it runs a test-entry Opportunity Class program alongside its regular intake. Entry is through the OC Placement Test. The main entry point is Year 5. Applications go through the official state process, and entry cutoff marks are not published.
Balmain Public School is a government school, so there are no tuition fees. Families may be asked to contribute to voluntary school fees covering materials, excursions, and activities. The school grades A (Excellent) for value for money, which weighs academic results against the cost of attendance.
Balmain Public School has a student-to-teacher ratio of 17.9:1. This is above the national average of approximately 14:1, meaning class sizes are typical for Australian schools. Support staff make up 14% of the workforce, providing additional learning assistance and pastoral care. The student attendance rate is 94%, which is excellent.
Balmain Public School is located in Balmain, NSW, in a major city. Its ICSEA is 1172 (98th percentile; the national average is 1,000). ICSEA measures the advantage of a school's community, from its parents' education and occupation, not the school's quality. A school with a lower ICSEA and strong academic results may be teaching particularly effectively.