Attendance levels and grades, as well as confidence and sense of belonging at school were measured among more than 500 students at 47 schools across NSW, where the Aurora Education Foundation delivered its Redefining Indigenous Success in Education program.
The five-year initiative has three levels of support, with the most basic covering tutoring services and a laptop for students.
Alongside tutoring, the two more intensive programs include up to $1000 financial assistance for students each semester, cultural activities or camps, and days where students' families could engage with staff, Elders and mentors in the program.
In the most intensive program, fewer students wanted to stay home from school at least one or twice a week (17 per cent) when compared to the program with the basic level of support (35 per cent), the evaluation found.
Students in the most supported programs reported stronger feelings of school belonging compared to their peers receiving basic support.
They also had higher confidence in their future - 76 per cent compared to 59 per cent.
"It makes sense that when students are getting the supports they need, they're more likely to go to school more," Aurora Education Foundation chief executive Leila Smith told AAP.
Ms Smith, a Wiradjuri woman, said the $1000 financial support for students also helped to change students' mindsets, with the teens who received it reporting increased happiness and more confidence.
While tutoring is important, Ms Smith said this study shows a range of supports are needed to make a real difference to students.
"If they don't feel confident as an Indigenous person or they're experiencing racism in the classroom, tutoring alone isn't going to cut through," she said.
The Redefining Indigenous Success in Education initiative was co-designed alongside Indigenous families, Elders and communities.
Ms Smith said it was important to listen to families about what success meant to them, and design a holistic program, led by Indigenous ways, to support students.
"Targeted, culturally grounded support works," she said.
"We now have the evidence to back what communities have long known, which is that strong relationships, high expectations and systems designed with us can deliver real change."
