Data published by NZQA shows regionally, Otago had the top attainment rate for NCEA level 1, level 3 and University Entrance last year.
For level 2, Otago was second behind Taranaki by 0.2%.
These rankings are an improvement from 2023, when Otago had the highest attainment rate in two of the four measurements.
St Kevin’s College principal Jo Walshe, of Oamaru, said the impressive results from Otago schools could be attributed to a better attendance rate than other regions in the country.
"Families value education and work with schools to get their students to school."
She said the region could market the results as a reason for families to move to Otago.
"I am not sure that wider New Zealand understands that this is a high-performing region, whilst also being a reasonably priced area of the country to live in," she said.
Otago Secondary Principals’ Association chairwoman and St Hilda’s Collegiate principal Jackie Barron said the great NCEA results could be attributed to hard-working and passionate staff in the region’s schools.
"I am very proud of the results and knowing how hard teachers work, delighted that they are seeing such great results for all their mahi."
She said the size of the province also meant schools were collaborative in sharing best practice and working together to moderate work.
Trinity Catholic College principal Kate Nicholson said Otago had some very good schools with a stable workforce.
"There's plenty of experienced teachers who really know their curriculum well, so that's all contributing to some good, deep learning."
She said teachers had worked really hard to keep up with last year’s changes to curriculums, including the revised level 1 programme.
She said Trinity had also chosen to reduce the number of credits it offered, so it could focus on delivering a quality learning opportunity.
As a result, it had better results than it did the previous year.
