Better Education analysis reveals LGA breakdown of Melbourne’s best primary schools

Government schools are better than private for a primary education in Melbourne, with these suburbs home to the best campuses.

The top primary schools in every Melbourne local government area have been named, with many government schools in the suburbs outperforming private campuses that charge big fees.

The Better Education analysis of 2020 academic outcomes shows government schools in Manningham, Monash, Whitehorse, Boroondara, received a perfect score of 100, showing they are the state’s best performers.

In Manningham, three state schools including Beverley Hills Primary School, Serpell Primary School and Doncaster Gardens Primary School scored 100, outperforming other independent local schools.

The Better Education analysis of 2020 academic outcomes found government schools in the suburbs outperformed private campuses that charge big fees. Picture: David Caird.

In Monash, government schools including Oakleigh South Primary School, Glendal Primary School and Pinewood Primary School all scored 100.

Other Monash schools including Mount View Primary School, Camelot Rise Primary School, Wheelers Hill Primary School and Brandon Park Primary School also scored 99.

The website is run independently and describes its aim as providing “informative and comparative school results, including school rankings or ratings and lists of best performing schools, to parents wanting to make ­choices about schooling for their children”.

In Boroondara, fees buy results with Camberwell Grammar School, Camberwell Girls Grammar School, Fintona Girls’ School and Scotch College scoring 100, while Trinity Grammar School, Erasmus Primary School and Carey Baptist Grammar School scored 99.

In Whitehorse, the top school is the elite Presbyterian Ladies’ College (100).

Other top government primary school performers include Canterbury Primary School (100), Birralee Primary School, Doncaster (99), Kerrimuir Primary School, Box Hill North (98), Rangeview Primary School, Mitcham (97), Fyans Park Primary School, Newtown (96) and Fitzroy North Primary School (95).

Victorian Principals’ Association president Andrew Dalgleish said he continued to applaud the work of primary school principals and teachers.

“They are ensuring that students are achieving at the level that they are,” Mr Dalgleish said.

“We look at some cases, particularly the difference in funding between some of our government and independent schools and there is quite a significant difference in that but it’s not necessarily impacting on student outcomes.”

Beverley Hills Primary School principal Jennifer Watson said the school had high expectations for all of its students.

“A culture of collaboration and shared accountability, alongside evidence-based approaches, allows staff to identify and respond to the learning and wellbeing needs of all students,” Ms Watson said.

Education Minister James Merlino said: “Our investments in the education state are making sure that every Victorian child has the best opportunities to set them up for life – both academically, and by putting wellbeing at the centre of the school curriculum to make sure every student is supported to achieve their best.”

“We’ve invested an unprecedented $22.2 billion in Victorian government schools since coming to office to deliver the best education, facilities and learning outcomes to students – and it is paying profound dividends, with Victorian students topping the nation in last year’s NAPLAN results,” he said.

“It’s important to note that these school rankings are based on specific criteria and do not account for all factors that help form great schools, like infrastructure and wellbeing support.”