Private schools across SA are set to increase student numbers in 2024

Private schools across the state are gearing up for huge spikes in enrolments for 2024 – with some expecting their numbers to increase by hundreds.

Isla will start Year 7 at Woodcroft College next year. Picture: Keryn Stevens

Private schools are forecasting spikes in enrolments for 2024 and already have students on waiting lists, with some expecting their numbers to increase by hundreds.

At Xavier College an extra 392 students will start in Term 1 across its three campuses.

The college has just opened an expansion at its Two Wells campus to cater for future growth.

In Morphett Vale, Woodcroft College is expecting 111 new students in 2024 – and has children on waiting lists for Reception and Year 7 in 2025.

Principal Shannon Warren said the college was preparing to open a new Junior School in Term 1, 2024, to keep pace with demand.

“The new Junior School is the most ambitious project undertaken in the history of the college,” she said.

“This build was driven by demand for places, which will see the college offer three classes at each year level (R-6).”

Among the new Year 7 students at Woodcroft College next year will be 11-year-old Isla McClory.

Mum Kirsty McClory said her daughter began her schooling in Reception at the college but they had to shift to the public system after she finished Year 2 because of financial pressures.

Ms McClory, 41, said it would be a “huge” commitment to return to private schooling – including increasing her work hours – but Isla would benefit.

“When we went to year 7 orientation we both said it felt like coming back home again,” she said.

“It really does feel like your child matters there.”

Kirsty McClory’s daughter Isla will start Year 7 at Woodcroft College next year. Picture: Keryn Stevens

At Emmaus Christian College, principal Andrew Linke described its maximum capacity as “a somewhat dynamic number” due to its building plans including expansion at its South Pympton campus.

So far 1150 students have been enrolled for 2024, up from 1084 this year.

Mr Linke said that number is likely to be higher by the start of Term 1.

“A number of enrolment interviews are taking place over the Christmas holidays and new inquiries continue to come in – so it is very likely enrolments may increase further,” Mr Linke said.

Over the past decade, student numbers at the school have increased between five and 10 per cent each year, Mr Linke said.

And after completion of building projects, the school will be able to cater for about 1500 students.

Mr Linke said while there are waiting lists “at many year levels” across the college, expansion should cater for increased interest.

“It is our hope that in time the current building program will enable these families currently waiting to access a place,” he said.

Emmaus Christian College principal Andrew Linke. Picture: Tom Huntley

A survey by The Advertiser also found Mt Carmel College was expecting at least 50 extra students in 2024, St John’s Grammar School another 35 and Westminster School at least 30.

At Concordia College about 40 more students will start in Term 1 and the school has received more than 50 applications in the past month.

It has small waiting lists in multiple year levels for 2024.

St George College has seen an increase in enrolments of five per cent from their 2023 figure and the school has already reached capacity in certain year levels, which will leave families on a waiting list.

However the college is set to expand its early learning centre in 2024 which will double its capacity.

While St Ignatius College did not provide enrolment figures for 2024, principal Lauren Brooks said the school had “experienced almost six per cent” growth over the past five years.

And certain year levels at the college are already at capacity.

“Because of our strong culture of academic excellence, we do have waiting lists at some year levels across the College,” Ms Brooks said.

Loreto College did not supply enrolment figures for 2024 but its leadership said student numbers had grown about 30 per cent from 2020.

Catholic Education SA executive director Neil McGoran said current trends suggested total enrolments would “easily surpass 53,500” students next year.

“Enrolments are up 7100 (since 2018) and are expected to continue to climb in 2024,” Dr McGoran said.

Association of Independent Schools of SA chief executive Anne Dunstan said there were more than 53,000 students currently studying at independent schools and enrolments had risen steadily at one or two per cent a year.

The majority of young people attend public schools in SA, where enrolments rose from about 187,300 in 2022 to about 190,500 in 2023.

Education Minister Blair Boyer said growing public preschool and school enrolments was a priority for the state government “which is why we have made significant investments in infrastructure, wellbeing and supports in schools right across the state”.