Elite private schools are being outdone by cheaper colleges on VCE results

The best value for money private schools that outperform their expensive counterparts on VCE results have been revealed.

Siena College principal offers a lower priced alternative. Picture: David Caird

Some of Victoria’s most expensive private schools are being outperformed by cheaper colleges and state schools, the Herald Sun can reveal.

In some cases, parents are forking out more than $40,000 a year in fees for schools that are not among the top performers in the state.

Analysis of the 2021 VCE data shows the median study score for 50 of the state’s priciest independent schools sits at 34.

The most expensive school in Victoria, Geelong Grammar, charges parents $43,360 in tuition fees for its Year 12 students and has a median study score of 32, two points below average.

While Victoria’s 10 most expensive private schools are delivering above-average median scores, just two have reported the state’s highest median study scores, with St Catherine’s School and Bialik College delivering a median score of 37.

Wesley College charges more than $34,000 but has a median study score of 32, while Camberwell Grammar has an average study score of 33 and charges parents more than $35,000 each year for year 12.

School fees at Huntingtower School are $10,000 cheaper than Geelong Grammar, but it has a higher average study score of 37.

Year 12 students Sophie, Ella, Charlotte, Alannah and Abbey are helping spur good results for Siena College. Picture: David Caird

The Mount Waverley school charges $24,630 per year in tuition fees and is the state’s 45th priciest college.

The median study score at Presbyterian Girls’ School, the state’s 28th most expensive school, sits four marks above that of Geelong Grammar at 36.

Parents are paying $20,995 in tuition fees at St Kevin’s College, which achieves an average score of 35.

Victorian selective state schools, which do not charge parents tuition fees, continue to deliver above-average results.

Both Nossal High School in Berwick and the Melbourne High School average a study score of 36.

Camberwell’s Siena College averages a 34 study score while charging parents less than half what it costs to send them to the most expensive schools in the state.

Principal Elizabeth Hanney said students at the Catholic girls’ school could excel without a hefty price tag.

“Our annual tuition fees offer exceedingly good value for money, we believe,” Ms Hanney said.

“Our graduating cohorts are consistently placed in the top band of schools, and this is achieved through close relationships of care, and with the expertise of outstanding teachers, support staff and parents.”