Best Schools in New South Wales · 2026

Key figures

• New South Wales has 2,997 schools, teaching around 1,242,605 students.
• By sector that is 2,090 government, 541 Catholic and 366 independent.
• By level, 2,082 primary, 543 secondary and 372 combined primary and secondary.
• Schools in New South Wales average 53/100 on our academic score, which compares NAPLAN results within the same year level nationally.
• The largest school communities are Wagga Wagga (20 schools), Dubbo (19 schools) and Port Macquarie (18 schools).

Top schools in New South Wales

1. 1Conservatorium High School
   Sydney · Government · Secondary — Overall 98.4/100
   Audition entry
2. =2Hornsby Girls High School
   Hornsby · Government · Secondary — Overall 95.5/100
   Selective entry
3. =2Sydney Grammar School
   Darlinghurst · Independent · Combined — Overall 95.5/100
4. 4Penrith High School
   Penrith · Government · Secondary — Overall 94.8/100
   Selective entry
5. 5Dural Public School
   Dural · Government · Primary — Overall 94/100
6. 6Beecroft Public School
   Beecroft · Government · Primary — Overall 93.2/100
7. 7Fort Street High School
   Petersham · Government · Secondary — Overall 90.8/100
   Selective entry
8. 8Hurlstone Agricultural High School
   Glenfield · Government · Secondary — Overall 90.2/100
   Selective entry
9. 9Sydney Girls High School
   Surry Hills · Government · Secondary — Overall 89.8/100
   Selective entry
10. 10James Ruse Agricultural High School
    Carlingford · Government · Secondary — Overall 89.3/100
    Selective entry

The 12 suburbs with the most schools in New South Wales, highest academic average first

• Parramatta (10 schools) · academic avg B+
• Auburn (11 schools) · academic avg B
• Blacktown (16 schools) · academic avg B
• Bankstown (11 schools) · academic avg B
• Port Macquarie (18 schools) · academic avg B
• Wagga Wagga (20 schools) · academic avg B-
• Orange (15 schools) · academic avg B-
• Dubbo (19 schools) · academic avg B-
• Armidale (17 schools) · academic avg B-
• Campbelltown (12 schools) · academic avg B-
• Coffs Harbour (11 schools) · academic avg B-
• Goulburn (13 schools) · academic avg B-

Every suburb in New South Wales

Browse every suburb and town in New South Wales with a school

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Government schools in New South Wales · Catholic schools in New South Wales · Independent schools in New South Wales