The figures, released to Hawke's Bay Today and due to be made public later this year, showed at least 84 per cent of Te Awa School students were at or above the national standard for numeracy and literacy. In the "writing" category, the students' score had improved significantly to 86.8 per cent.
School parent James Yri, whose three children go to Te Awa School, said the unique thing about the school was its teachers, "because they care".
"They'll go to the parents' house and say "hey, how are you?" and introduce themselves. They're a part of the community."
As for his children, Mr Yri said they couldn't wait to get to school each day.
"They're running through the gates."
Mr Van Zyl said he was proud of the school's high academic achievement.
"We would be in the top three schools in Napier. We're competing with decile 10 schools."
Mr Van Zyl, who hails from South Africa, married a Hawke's Bay woman and had been at Te Awa School for six years.
He said of his 14 staff: "I've got the right people. They want to be at the school and we're all in it together.
"My teachers are the core."
Asked how Te Awa School had pulled off exceptional numeracy and literacy scores, Mr Van Zyl said it was down to Te Awa School's inclusive philosophy and determination to partner with families and local communities.
"The way to make improvements in schools is about connecting with your families; your whanau. Breaking down those barriers ... And it's starting to pay off."
The school held a "healthy lunch day" once a term, welcoming families on to the school grounds to enjoy produce grown in the students' own vegetable garden.
It also employed a pastoral care worker, who acted as a "first point of contact" to parents, visiting families at their homes on a regular basis.
"She's made such good connections with our families."
Mr Van Zyl said the school welcomed assistance from the Government's KickStart breakfast programme, which ran three days a week, but support for Te Awa School students didn't end there; kids who came to school hungry were fed "on any day".
He said he knew the school's families well enough to know which ones were struggling.
"We can't blame the kids, can we? It's not the kids' faults, so why should they be disadvantaged? I don't want to ever see a kid miss out because of where they come from or how much money they have."
It had been a struggle to connect with some parents.
"It is hard to do," Mr Van Zyl conceded. "A lot of people, they're disenfranchised with schools."
But since the school reached out to families, "we've seen a climb in our students' achievements".
"There's a lot of kids [here] that are doing well, no matter where they come from."
Mr Van Zyl had been in talks with a company which was considering sponsoring one of Te Awa School's classrooms.
He hoped to find eight businesses willing to sponsor each of the school's classrooms because "we're all in this together," he said.
"We focus on the children and their families.
"No barriers, no excuses; only high expectations and love. Lots of love."
