The tests were completed by last year’s grade 3 and 5 pupils, with results now online at the MySchool website.

Ararat district schools' NAPLAN testing results.

The college was above the national average in writing, grammar and numeracy as well, and also topped the averages for similar socio-economic schools.

Ararat’s St Mary’s Primary School was best in reading marks for both year levels. Year 5 pupils were also substantially above the national average.

St Mary’s Principal Tom Hogan said the NAPLAN testing showed the school’s programs were effective.

“We do our own school testing before the teachers teach a unit, then we group the kids accordingly,” he said.

“If the kids are strong in a particular area we make sure they are being extended and challenged.

“And if there are kids having difficulties we make sure we are targeting what they need to learn.”

Maroona Primary School also performed well, with grade 5 pupils receiving the best average marks for writing and spelling.

Principal Darren Beer said NAPLAN said the results were depended on the cohort tested for smaller schools.

“We have five, grade 6 pupils, so individually they are all very capable, very clear students who have excellent learning qualities,” he said.

“When you have a small group of five, then that is a pretty significant affect on your data.”

Ararat North Primary School also received top results for numeracy when compared to similar schools.

The pupils also showed improvement from when they last sat the NAPLAN test in 2014.

Grade 3 students also performed above average for like schools in reading and writing.

Ararat Primary School principal Jennifer Molan said NAPLAN was a diagnostic tool.

“Because we have a big cohort, we are able to look at the generalised data, but the real information is in the individualised data,” she said.