The best public primary schools in Sydney 2026, including rankings, catchment zone maps, enrolment deadlines, and what to look for when choosing a local
Education Desk is a contributing writer covering education and public affairs for The Sydney Times.
The rankings are based on data from the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority, the NSW Education Standards Authority, and the My School website. The primary metrics used are NAPLAN results, student growth measures, and school attendance rates. Catchment zone information is sourced from the NSW Education website and is subject to change. Always verify current catchment boundaries with the individual school before making enrolment decisions.
Sydney Grammar School is not a public school in the NSW government sense, but it is one of the most academically successful schools in the state and is registered with NESA as a non-government school. It is included here because it is often the benchmark against which public schools are compared. The school is located in Darlinghurst and has selective entry based on academic performance.
Reddam House in Bondi is another high-performing non-government school that is often compared with top public schools. It is not a public school but is included for context.
Bondi Public School is a highly regarded public primary school in the eastern suburbs. The school has 420 students and is located in the Bondi Beach catchment zone. NAPLAN results are above the state average for reading, writing, and numeracy. The school has a strong music program and a well-regarded sports program.
Double Bay Public School in the eastern suburbs serves the Double Bay and Woollahra catchments. The school has 380 students and consistently strong NAPLAN results. The school has a selective opportunity class for gifted students in Years 5 and 6.
Marrickville Public School in the inner west serves the Marrickville catchment. The school has 550 students and has improved its NAPLAN results significantly over the past five years. The school has a strong community focus and a well-regarded before and after school care program.
Newtown Public School in Newtown serves the Newtown and Erskineville catchments. The school has 420 students and has a reputation for creative and performing arts programs. NAPLAN results are mixed, with strong performance in reading and weaker performance in numeracy.
Glebe Public School in Glebe serves the Glebe and Forest Lodge catchments. The school has 400 students and has a strong environmental education program. NAPLAN results are above the state average for reading.
North Sydney Boys High School and North Sydney Girls High School are selective high schools, but they are part of the public system and are often the destination for high-achieving primary school students. The schools are located in Crows Nest and have entry through the Selective High School Test.
Chatswood Public School on the north shore serves the Chatswood catchment. The school has 700 students and has strong NAPLAN results. The school has a selective opportunity class for Years 5 and 6.
Gordon East Public School serves the Gordon and Killara catchments. The school has 350 students and has consistently strong NAPLAN results.
Baulkham Hills North Public School in the Hills district serves the Baulkham Hills catchment. The school has 450 students and has strong NAPLAN results. The school has a gifted and talented program.
Penrith Public School in Penrith serves the Penrith catchment. The school has 500 students and has improved its results over the past five years.
Mount Druitt Public School in the outer western suburbs has a different profile. The school has 400 students and NAPLAN results below the state average, which reflects the socio-economic profile of the catchment. The school has additional support programs funded through the NSW Education disadvantaged schools program.
NSW public school catchment zones are geographic boundaries that determine which students are eligible to enrol at a particular school. The boundaries are set by the NSW Department of Education and are published on the School Finder website. If you live within the catchment zone of a public school, you have a legal right to enrol your child at that school, subject to available places. If you live outside the catchment, you can apply for a place, but enrolment is at the discretion of the principal and places are not guaranteed.
Catchment zones can change. The NSW Department of Education reviews catchment boundaries periodically and may redraw them if there is significant population growth in a particular area. Before buying or renting a property, check the current catchment zone on the School Finder website and contact the school directly to confirm that the zone has not changed.
Enrolment applications for NSW public primary schools must be submitted to the school in the year before your child is due to start. For children starting Kindergarten in 2027, applications open in May 2026 and close in June 2026. The exact dates vary by school, so check with the school directly. You will need your child's birth certificate, immunisation records, and proof of residence such as a council rates notice or a rental agreement.
If the school receives more applications than there are places available, a selection criteria is applied. Priority is given to students who live within the catchment zone, followed by students with siblings already at the school, and then students with special educational needs. If your application is unsuccessful, you will be placed on a waiting list or offered a place at another school in the area.
Opportunity classes are enrichment programs for gifted students in Years 5 and 6 at selected public primary schools. There are 95 opportunity classes across NSW, with 34 in the Sydney metropolitan area. Entry is by application and placement test, which is taken in Year 4. The test assesses English, mathematics, and abstract reasoning.
The Selective High School Test is taken in Year 6 for entry to a selective high school in Year 7. There are 34 fully selective high schools and four partially selective high schools in NSW. The test assesses English, mathematics, and general ability. The application process opens in May and the test is held in March.
More information about public school enrolment is available at the NSW Education website. Catchment zone maps and school performance data are available at My School.
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