Bang for your buck: The ATAR results of Queensland’s cheapest private schools

They can now be dubbed Queensland’s bang-for-buck private schools after showing off their top ATAR scores and affordable education. It comes as a list of the state’s cheapest private schools reveal their top ATAR results. See the list of schools and fees.

Queensland families don’t have to fork out top dollar for a great education and there’s proof in the academic achievements of some of the state’s more affordable private schools.

School fees rose by an average of 3.56 per cent for 2022 with some elite schools charging as much as $30,250.00 in annual Year 12 fees.

But according Edstart’s list of some of the cheapest, there are at least 21 schools where students can receive an education for less than $7000.

And many of them are reporting great academic achievements.

St Saviour’s College at Toowoomba is one of the state’s most affordable independent schools, charging $6175 for Year 12 fees in 2022 and receiving impressive ATAR scores.

The median ATAR score of last year’s cohort who shared their results was 86, and 71 per cent of them received an ATAR higher than 80.

This is significantly higher than the 46.87 per cent of all Queensland students who achieved an ATAR of 80 or above.

St Saviour's College in Toowoomba. Photo Kevin Farmer / The Chronicle

A little pricier but still charging less than half the fees of Queensland's most expensive, All Hallows’ was one of the top performers for ATAR scores with an average of 92.6.

Independent Schools Queensland CEO Chris Mountford said the diversity of independent schools in Queensland offered parents real choice when it came to deciding where to send their children to school.

“The independent schooling sector in Queensland is made up of more than 230 schools, ranging from small philosophy-based schools to those which are faith-aligned, through to larger boarding schools,” Mr Mountford said.

“Each can offer something different for parents, and a range of factors such as a school’s values, alignment to a specific religion, educational outcomes or cost all weigh into a parent’s decision on the best school for their child.

St Teresa's Catholic College, Noosaville.

“This diversity is a major contributor to growing enrolments in the independent sector across the State, which made up 15.7 per cent of Queensland’s total 867,000 school student enrolments in 2021.”

The Queensland Government in 2021 did not release individual school Year 12 results for the second year in a row.

Instead, the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority only released state-level data, meaning parents were only given a snapshot of the entire 2021 cohort’s performance.

The Courier-Mail has gathered data to a look at the merits of the cheapest private schools, and their respective ATARs.

Some of the fees listed are tuition-only, while others are all-inclusive.

SCHOOLS WITH LOW FEES AND GREAT ACHIEVEMENTS

St John Fisher College, Bracken Ridge

Fees for Years 12 in 2022: $6258

Median ATAR in 2021: 84.6

St John Fisher College is a Catholic secondary girls’ college with a curriculum designed to prepare girls for a changing world.

The entire eligible cohort in 2021 received an ATAR above 60, with 30 per cent achieving an ATAR above 90, and 13 per cent above 95.

The school announced in December that the cohort’s median ATAR of 84.6 showed marked growth in ATAR attainment.

St John Fisher College’s top ATAR score was 99.55.

Principal Catherine Galvin said the school’s strong academic outcomes, with appreciation for vocational experiences, combined to give students the best opportunity to success in further education and in life.

The college boasts 15 hectares of land and new-look facilities.

St Saviour’s College, Toowoomba

Fees for Years 12 in 2022: $6175

Median ATAR in 2021: 86

St Saviour’s College is a secondary all-girls boarding and day school established in 1873.

Its 2021 cohort was one of the highest achievers of Queensland's more affordable schools in 2021 and its median ATAR of 86 compared with some of the state’s most expensive schools such as Brisbane Boys’ College which received a median ATAR of 87.3.

More than 70 per cent of St Saviour’s 2021 cohort received an ATAR of 80 or above, and all eligible students scored higher than 70.

Principal Sharon Collins said she was overjoyed with the results and gave full credit to the cohort’s commitment to learning.

The principal, who has received awards for her leadership, said she was also proud of the wide range of specialist classrooms which catered to an array of student’s interests and abilities.

Ms Collins said classrooms were fitted with new technology and they had well-equipped science labs, hospitality facilities, and drama and Japanese rooms to name a few.

St Teresa’s Catholic College, Noosaville

Fees for Years 12 in 2022: $5,356

Median ATAR in 2021: 82.6

St Teresa’s Catholic College was among the five cheapest of all Queensland independent schools which made their fees available to Edstart.

Students can receive a private education for $5,356, within a short drive of the beautiful beaches of the Sunshine Coast’s north.

The college was established by Brisbane Catholic Education in 2004 and holds a strong commitment to contemporary learning and teaching.

More than 40 per cent of the 2021 cohort received an ATAR higher than 85 while 23 per cent received an ATAR of 90 or above.

Assistant Principal Aaron Heffernan said it was a privilege to announce the success of the students who weathered the disruptions of Covid-19.

“Through periods of AEP (online learning), family isolation and disconnect, and adaption to new protocols and expectations- the students of Year 12 2021 completed their formal schooling demonstrating unwavering resilience and achieving outstanding results,” he said in sharing the ATAR successes.

The school boasts a lecture theatre, seven science labs, a bush chapel, film studio and graphics lab.

Chanel College, Gladstone

Fees for Years 12 in 2022: $5,523

Median ATAR in 2021: NA

With similar fees to St Teresa’s, Chanel College is another of the state’s most affordable schools which delivered great academic results in 2021.

The Gladstone college founded in 1966 is a Catholic coeducational school for Years 7-12.

Of the students who nominated to share their ATAR information with the college, 28 per cent gained an ATAR of 90 or more, and 60 per cent gained an ATAR of 80 or more.

The majority of students who applied for university courses through QTAC received first round offers.

Principal Dr Susan Bunkum addressed returning families to say she was proud of the community that not only valued educational excellence, but also provided a holistic education within a beautiful environment with superb facilities, and expert staff.

The regional college has modern facilities including a large sports complex with a fully equipped gym and indoor court, commercial kitchens and training restaurant, a technology centre housing robotics and a flight simulator, and a lecture theatre.

Bundaberg Christian College

Fees for Years 12 in 2022: $5,185

Median ATAR in 2021: 76.4

Bundaberg Christian College had a lot of high achievers in 2021 with an impressive 36 per cent of the eligible Year 12 cohort (who disclosed their results) receiving an ATAR above 90.

The Kindergarten to Year 12 school sells itself on an innovative and energetic learning environment which provides spiritual, academic, social, emotional and physical development.

It’s among the cheapest independent schools in the state while still delivering great academic outcomes.

Principal Paul Thompson in December said the class of 2021, which achieved a median ATAR of 76.4, was outstanding.

“From their academics, to their extra-curricular to their contribution to school life, this cohort of Year 12s has been incredible,” he said.

“These results highlight the wonderful academic achievements of our Year 12s, and certainly will launch them into amazing opportunities into the future.

“They reflect the tremendous commitment of both our students and the brilliant teachers and staff we have here at Bundaberg Christian College.”

The school has a comprehensive music program, flexible learning areas, a cattle club program, and an academy of sport offering development in swimming, touch football, cricket and volleyball.

Brisbane State High School

Fees for Year 12 in 2022: State schools do not charge instruction, facilities and administration costs however there may be mandatory subject and levy fees.

Although not independent, Brisbane State High is another Queensland school with few fees and outstanding academic results.

The South Brisbane public school in February openly celebrated the 2021 Year 12 cohorts ATAR results- and for good reason.

The report revealed six of their students landed a perfect score of 99.95, the second highest number in the state and behind only Brisbane Grammar School who had 11 students land a top score.

Overall 53 per cent of students achieved an ATAR of 90 or above – a higher percentage than multiple major private schools including Anglican Church Grammar School, Brisbane Boys’ College, Clayfield College, Marist College and Ormiston College.

In a message to parents, BSHS Executive Principal Wade Haynes said there “were some very excited students as they received their results and offers”, saying the results were possibly “record-breaking”.

The school credits its success to high performance expectations and personalised attention coupled with a diverse environment of possibility and opportunity.

Brisbane State High has large sports fields, a performing arts complex and event spaces.