VCE data reveals Geelong’s best schools ranked by median study scores

A Geelong Advertiser analysis of 2022 VCE median study scores has revealed the top performing schools in the region. SEE HOW YOUR SCHOOL RANKED.

The Geelong College came out on top with the highest median study score in the 2022 VCE results. Picture: David Smith

A Geelong government school outperformed some of its private counterparts in the 2022 school year, an analysis has found.

The Geelong Advertiser analysed the 2022 VCE results and found Oberon High School in Armstrong Creek was among the top 10 performing schools in the Geelong region.

The coeducational government school’s year 12 cohort achieved a median study score of 30.

According to Victorian Curriculum And Assessment Authority (VCAA) data, 7.5 per cent of the 102 students enrolled in at least one VCE unit at level 3-4 in 2022 received a study score of 40 or above.

Oberon High placed as the Geelong region’s fifth highest performing school.

Oberon High School in Armstrong Creek was the fifth highest performing Geelong school in 2022. Picture: Alan Barber

Sitting on top of the list was The Geelong College, with a median study score of 32.

The data revealed 12.7 per cent of the school’s 263 students enrolled in at least one VCE 3-4 level unit achieved a study score of 40 or above.

Parents who send their children to Geelong College are set to pay the second highest school fees in the region.

They will fork out $32,544 for a child to complete year 12 in the 2023 school year.

College principal Dr Peter Miller said the team at the school was “very proud” of its longstanding reputation.

“The VCE results are an important feature of this for individuals and collectively because academic achievement is an aspiration for all our students,” Dr Miller said.

The Geelong College principal Dr Peter Miller said VCE results were like a “scoreboard”.

“The published VCE results are like the scoreboard to outsiders who have never been at the game.
“It is important they are solid for our students but the story behind them is not always evident to those who ‘read the scoreboard after full-time’.”

Dr Miller said the strong community and sense of belonging set his college apart from others, as well as its excellent teachers.

Geelong College’s fees are second to only Geelong Grammar School’s, with the latter charging parents $46,020 per year 12 student in 2023.

Geelong Grammar was the third highest performing school in the region, achieving a median study score of 32, and 8.4 per cent of the 227 students enrolled in at least one 3-4 unit receiving study scores of 40 or above.

Kardinia International College, which will charge parents $15,129 per year 12 student in 2023, was the second highest performing school.

The college’s median study score was 32, with 12.5 per cent of the 330-strong cohort receiving a study score of 40 or above.

Independent Schools Victoria chief executive Michelle Green said academic results were just one important measure of a school’s success, with other “crucial” elements including ensuring student wellbeing and encouraging them to become resilient, confident and engaged citizens.

“Our research shows us that academic results are just one factor that parents take into account when choosing to send their children to an independent school,” Ms Green said.

“A prime consideration for many parents is finding a school that matches their values and beliefs, and which best meets the needs of their child.”

Ms Green said one of the great strengths of independent school was their diversity.

She said this allowed schools to “innovate” with academic and other programs that meet the needs of unique individuals.

Other top performing schools included Sacred Heart College Geelong with a median score of 31 and 7.3 per cent of study scores 40 or above.

St Joseph’s College Geelong, Saint Ignatius College, Christian College and Geelong Lutheran College each achieved a median study score of 30.

Clonard College in Herne Hill rounded out the top ten best performing Geelong schools with a median study score of 29.

Bellarine Secondary and Surf Coast Secondary both equalled Clonard’s median study score.

Covenant College, Belmont High, Matthew Flinders Girls Secondary, and North Geelong Secondary also achieved matching median study scores, with 28 recorded for each school.

Geelong High School recorded a median study score of 27, while Geelong Baptist College, Grovedale College and Northern Bay P-12 College each received a median of 26.

Lara Secondary, Newcomb Secondary and Bannockburn P-12 College each recorded media study scores of 25.

Western Heights Secondary College in Hamlyn Heights recorded a median study score of 21.

Deakin University education lecturer Dr Jacqui Peters said looking at median study scores was a “good starting point”, but it wasn’t always possible to judge a school based on them.

“It’s much more powerful information than to see how many students got over 90 (ATAR) for instance,” she said.

“However, they really are a one-dimensional view of a school.”

When reviewing potential schools for children, Dr Peters said parents should consider:

WHO their child is;

THE location and cost of schools;

SOCIAL aspects for the child – if they will have friends there or if they’re comfortable making new ones;

THE child’s interests;

WHAT extension programs and extracurriculars are available;

SCHOOL values; and,

CLASS sizes.

“It’s also about the gut – sometimes you just know when there’s a really good feel about the school,” Dr Peters said.

She said with the extensive list of things to look at when deciding the right school for your child, there was one key phrase to keep in mind: “do your homework”.

Originally published as VCE data reveals Geelong’s best schools ranked by median study scores