Some of Brisbane’s most prestigious high schools are showcasing remarkable progress in national reading, writing, and numeracy tests, while suburban state schools are also making significant strides. This year’s analysis of the school-by-school NAPLAN results highlights a select group among Brisbane’s largest high schools that are excelling in enhancing student achievement.
Among the top 20 largest high schools, each hosting over 1,700 students, two schools have been singled out for their exceptional performance: Anglican Church Grammar School (Churchie), Brisbane’s third most-expensive private school, and Corinda State High School. These institutions have demonstrated outstanding results in boosting student performance, setting them apart from their peers.
Corinda State High School’s Remarkable Progress
Corinda State High School, with an ICSEA (Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage) percentile of 72, was compared to other schools near or slightly above the national average. This year, the year 9 cohort at Corinda, which constitutes about one-seventh of the school’s 2,125 students, showed significant improvement. From their year 7 performance, over half of these students made notable progress, elevating the cohort’s performance from average in 2023 to above-average in 2025.
This development follows a concerted effort by the school to focus on personalized learning strategies and targeted support programs. The progress at Corinda State High underscores the potential for state schools to achieve excellence, even when compared to more resourced private institutions.
Churchie’s Consistent Excellence
Churchie, a school with 1,170 students ranging from Prep to year 12, also reported impressive improvements in its year 9 cohort. The school outperformed similar institutions in about 60 percent of students undertaking numeracy and writing tests. This achievement is a testament to the school’s commitment to maintaining high educational standards and fostering an environment conducive to academic excellence.
Meanwhile, Churchie’s success is reflective of its holistic approach to education, which includes a strong emphasis on both academic and extracurricular development. The school’s ability to consistently deliver high results highlights the effectiveness of its educational strategies.
All Hallows’ School Leads the Pack
Inner-city Catholic girls’ school All Hallows’ achieved the highest scores among the city’s 20 largest schools. With students attaining year 7 and 9 results “well above” averages at comparable schools, All Hallows’ stands out as a leader in academic achievement. The school was compared to institutions in the 99th ICSEA percentile, placing it among the most privileged schools across the state and nation.
According to sources, All Hallows’ success can be attributed to its rigorous academic programs and a supportive learning environment that encourages students to excel. The school’s performance is a benchmark for other institutions aiming to achieve similar levels of success.
Implications for Education in Brisbane
ACARA chief executive Stephen Gniel commented on the significance of the data, released as part of the national schools directory website update. “With detailed information on every school in the country, ACARA’s My School [website] is the only website that publishes nationally consistent, school-level data that all Australians can see for free,” Gniel said. This transparency provides parents and communities with a valuable tool to gauge their children’s educational progress through primary and middle school.
“The data gives parents and communities a yardstick for their children’s results through primary and middle school.”
The move represents a step towards greater accountability and informed decision-making in education. As schools continue to analyze and respond to NAPLAN results, the focus on improving student outcomes remains paramount.
Looking ahead, the emphasis on data-driven strategies and targeted interventions is likely to shape the future of education in Brisbane. Schools that leverage these insights effectively will be well-positioned to enhance their educational offerings and support student success.
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