Qld public schools climb NAPLAN ranks as top 50 list revealed

State schools have defied expectations by outperforming many private schools in this year’s NAPLAN results, sparking fresh debate about educational excellence.

Queensland Academy for Science, Maths and Technology was the top state school in NAPLAN. Picture: FKG

Queensland public schools’ overall NAPLAN results have improved this year, with one more making the state’s top 50.

Seven state schools made this year’s top 50, compared with six last year.

The top state school, Queensland Academy for Science Mathematics and Technology at Toowong in Brisbane, achieved an average score of 733 in 2025, compared with 699 last year.

Mansfield State High School, also in Brisbane, topped its average at 613.6 compared with 611.6 last year.

Meanwhile at Corinda State High School in Brisbane’s southwest, principal Ross Bailey was “really proud” of the school’s NAPLAN results.

“I think the state schooling system is the best schooling system in the country that we compete nationally in sport, in the arts and in academics.”

Mr Bailey said he felt the state schooling system provided a brilliant platform for children to go on to a really diverse array of pathways.

“I think competitively does incredibly well against the private sector,” Mr Bailey said.

“The state schooling system puts out some of the highest results of any of the schooling system.

“And I think we’re celebrating at the moment, year 9 NAPLAN performance improvement, which is great for us in our community.”

Mr Bailey said the school had a fantastic community.

“I think it shows in the performance of the students,” Mr Bailey said.

At East Brisbane, Anglican Church Grammar School headmaster Alan Campbell was “absolutely thrilled” for the school’s NAPLAN achievements this year.

“We’ve got a strong academic culture. And by strong academic culture, I mean that we believe every student can improve and rise in their learning and develop confidence in their learning,” Mr Campbell said.

Mr Campbell said private schools often had a “real stability” in terms of values and staffing.

“There’s a great tradition and a stability in those (independent) schools. And they can often become generational and people grow a deep trust in them.”

Mr Campbell said Churchie’s mission was clear.

Independent Education Union Northern Territory and Queensland branch secretary Terry Burke said results of a school were more often than not dependant on the socioeconomic status of the area.

“If you look at the postcodes of schools, you will pretty well be able to predict the NAPLAN result if we’re looking at a school result, because you’re typically looking at the families that the people the children come from,” Mr Burke said.

“The notion that (all kids) might actually even have access to the internet is often a challenge – that’s a discretionary expenditure.

“Also, a school is starting to charge fees, you obviously have to have an income that can meet those fees.”

Teachers Professional Association Queensland president Scott Stanford said results were reflected geographically, rather than whether it was public or private.

“Schools that have a higher absentee rate tend to not achieve as highly,” Mr Stanford said.

Originally published as Qld public schools climb NAPLAN ranks as top 50 list revealed