Primary schools (K–6)

High schools

In New South Wales, a high school generally covers Years 7 to 12 in the education system, and a central or community school, intended to provide comprehensive education in a rural district, covers Kindergarten to Year 12. An additional class of high schools has emerged in recent years as a result of amalgamations which have produced multi-campus colleges consisting of Junior and Senior campuses.

While most schools are comprehensive and take in all students of high school age living within its defined school boundaries, some schools are either specialist in a given Key Learning Area, or selective in that they set examinations or other performance criteria for entrance. In the Hunter and Central Coast region, Gorokan, Gosford and Merewether High Schools are selective, whilst Hunter School of Performing Arts and Hunter Sports High School are specialist.

Special schools

Special schools are public schools designed for children or youth with disabilities. All children in Australia have a right to access inclusive education, however the system sometimes fails to meet children's needs as it continues to run a dual track system. As a result of a lack of resources and funding into inclusive education, some children are pushed into segregated settings through no fault of their own or their parents or school staff. NSW must invest in inclusive education, creating a plan to move available resources and supports from segregated settings into mainstream schools, if we would ever like to see inclusion really work.

Defunct primary schools

Catholic primary schools

In New South Wales, Catholic primary schools are usually (but not always) linked to a parish. Prior to the 1970s, most schools were founded by religious institutes, but with the decrease in membership of these institutes, together with major reforms inside the church, lay teachers and administrators began to take over the schools, a process completed by approximately 1995. The Catholic Education Office (CEO), located in the Newcastle-Maitland and Broken Bay dioceses of the Church, is responsible for coordinating administration, curriculum and policy across the Catholic school system. Preference for enrolment is given to Catholic students from the parish or local area, although non-Catholic students are admitted if room is available.

Catholic high schools

Other private schools

Special-purpose private schools

The Government of New South Wales recognises a registration category known as "Prescribed Non-Government Schools" which serve the same purposes as Special Schools but are privately operated.

Defunct private schools