Australia’s Top 100 Public High Schools: Queensland’s best government secondary schools ranked

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The Queensland Academy for Science Mathematics and Technology has been crowned the state’s best public high school in News Corp Australia’s exclusive list of the 100 best government secondary schools around Australia.

Every government high school in the nation was assessed for its academic performance, student attendance level, student-teacher ratio, average fees and level of socio-educational advantage to create the ultimate public education power list – following the success of News Corp’s list of Australia’s Top 100 Private Schools earlier this year.

And after crunching the numbers, QASMT took the top spot thanks to exceptional NAPLAN results, high levels of student engagement with 86 per cent attending more than nine days out of 10, and one teacher for every 12.7 students.

The school has a selective entry process, meaning the best of the best flock to the school to complete the rigorous International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme.

Alongside QASMT among the highest performing schools was Queensland’s biggest high school, Brisbane State High School (BSHS), which has a longstanding history of academic and sporting success.

Principal Greg Pierce said BSHS had a “highly efficient and motivated” team of staff who were constantly trying to refine their practice.

“Over the last decade or so, there’s been a real core framework of proven practices that have proved successful for Brisbane State High School,” he said.

“We acknowledge success as much as possible from students, and put it directly out there so all students can see it.

“I think that’s motivational, because I think some students – if they don’t see themselves in a certain percentage or school quartile – they’ll be asking themselves, why aren’t I there? And what do I need to get there?”

Brisbane State High School principal Greg Pierce and student leaders Anna Robbins, Lily Dutkowski, Lachlan Anning and Zhexi Teng. Picture: Steve Pohlner

Mr Pierce said high expectations were “normal practice” at the school and he felt “very privileged” to lead it.

“Academic attainment and achievement is really, really important but I think by increasingly focusing on developing students in all aspects, it means they can be the best prepared possible for the really complex world they’re going to be entering,” he said.

Brisbane State High School has an impressive list of alumni including Brisbane 2032 Organising Committee president Andrew Liveris, a host of sporting stars including rugby league legend Wally Lewis, and Supreme Court Justice Peter Applegarth.

Mr Pierce said BSHS was actively looking for opportunities to partner with a range of tertiary and sporting organisations in the lead-up to the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Other high-achieving schools in Queensland include Quilpie State College, Mansfield State High School, Indooroopilly State High School, Brisbane South State Secondary College, Kelvin Grove State College and The Gap State High School.

Kedron State High School and Mount Gravatt State High School also ranked highly on the list.

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Originally published as Australia’s Top 100 Public High Schools: Queensland’s best government secondary schools ranked