Student enrolments soar at SA’s top NAPLAN-scoring private schools

New analysis reveals the state’s top performing private schools have seen huge spikes in student numbers. Search your school to see where it ranks.

South Australia’s top-performing private schools have experienced a huge growth in en­rolments in recent years, analysis by The Advertiser reveals.

Among the top 20 performing schools in the 2024 NAPLAN that offer year 7 to 12, all but four had increased enrolments. Of schools offering reception to year 6, 13 of the top 20 boosted their numbers.

SEARCH THE FULL SA 2024 NAPLAN RANKINGS

Southern Montessori School students Bonny, Cem, Marnie and Jack. Picture: Ben Clark

The Advertiser analysed student numbers between 2019 and 2023.

Southern Montessori School achieved the best average year 9 NAPLAN results for a private school – and recorded 14.7 per cent growth in enrolments.

Principal Heather McInerney said while the school intended to remain small, it drew attention because “academic achieve­ment is important for parents”.

The school, which offers classes up to year 9, has just 47 students in that group and 211 students in total.

Ms McInerney said Montessori schools encouraged students to be self-directed and “take responsibility for their learning”.

“They use what they’re learning academically to give them opportunity to apply their knowledge to solve complex real-world problems,” she said.

“We had a problem with our fences so the students were involved with redoing our fencing. Parents can also see beyond the academic results.”

Southern Montessori School students Cem and Marnie were stoked with their NAPLAN scores. Picture: Ben Clark

Year 9 student Cem, 16, who joined the school in year 7, said it was difficult to get a place.

“My previous school was a lot more traditional. Since (moving), my work ethic has increased so much,” he said.

Jack, 15, said the school was in the spotlight with its results.

“People are starting to discover the school especially now that we’re getting high results,” he said.

Marnie, 14, said she was shocked to be part of the group with the highest average score but attributed her success to the teaching style.

“It’s less of the teachers on your back and you want to do it (school work),” she said.

Bonny, 15, said they “didn’t do preparation for NAPLAN” despite the high scores, crediting the success to work they had done throughout the year.

The private campus that recorded the greatest enrolment surge was Dara School for gifted students.

The campus ranked first among year 5 NAPLAN results and increased enrolments by 111 per cent over that time.

The school currently offers reception to year 10 tuition but will add year 11 classes in 2025 and year 12 in 2026.

Among longstanding schools, Emmaus Christian College recorded the greatest enrolment growth.

The reception to year 12 college ranked ninth among both primary and secondary private schools and had a 35 per cent enrolment jump.

Other big movers include:

WHITEFRIARS School for reception to year 6 students ranked 19th and increased enrolments by 34.7 per cent.

IMMACULATE Heart of Mary School, also R-6, ranked 11th and increased enrolments by 22.6 per cent.

PEDARE Christian College ranked 10th for year 9 test results and grew its student population by 20.2 per cent.

Association of Independent Schools of SA chief executive Anne Dunstan said enrolment growth showed families valued “the diversity, choice and quality that independent schools provide”.

“Parents choose schools for their children based on many factors including philosophical basis, school ethos and approaches to learning, teaching and student wellbeing,” she said.

Catholic Education SA executive director Neil McGoran said enrolment numbers were influenced by “location, affordable fees and the strong pathways to further education that our Catholic schools offer”.

“Academic results, including SACE outcomes are, of course, an important factor for families in the decision-making process,” he said.

“At the same time, our schools offer to work in partnership with families to support children and young people to grow and develop spiritually, socially, and morally.”