Private school waitlists: Geelong parents pushed to extremes as wait times blow out

Parents are going to extremes to secure a spot for their children at Geelong’s private schools, as the educators refuse to disclose the full extent of demand. SEE EACH SCHOOL’S GROWTH

Parents are going to extremes to secure a year 7 spot for their children, as waitlists at Geelong's private schools blow out.

Many of Geelong’s leading private schools have refused to reveal the extent of their enrolment waitlists, as parents are being pushed to extremes in their attempts to secure a spot for their child.

The popularity of Geelong independent schools is leading parents to report staggering waiting times to find out if children are confirmed to attend a school from year 7.

Geelong College principal Dr Peter Miller said for 2025 year 7 entry, there were about 100 on the waitlist which he said was “more than we have had in the past”.

He said waitlists varied between year levels, with a $500 registration fee charged.

Dr Miller said applications were typically processed about 18 months before commencement, with parents sometimes waiting “many years”.

“We are now full in nearly every year level from early learning to year 12,” he said

The Geelong College principal Dr Peter Miller said there were currently more than 100 students on the school’s waitlist.

Other schools also charge a fee to place students on their waitlists, including Christian College ($250), Geelong Baptist ($200), Geelong Grammar ($350 domestic, $500 for overseas students), Geelong Lutheran College ($100) and Kardinia ($150).

One parent told the Geelong Advertiser some families pulled children out of current primary schools, to enrol them in year 6 at private schools and secure a year 7 spot.

The parent said she was told for every position available at Kardinia International College, there were at least three applicants.

It’s understood applicants from alumni families, or with siblings enrolled, are given priority.

Sacred Heart College Geelong publishes a priority list on its application page, with siblings of students and daughters of staff members given the top priority.

Another parent said when she tried to get on a waitlist at Saint Ignatius College, she was told there were 500 children already on the list.

Sacred Heart principal Anna Negro said waitlists were “minimal”, and varied at each year level.

She said on average there was a two-week turnaround for waitlist parents, with no fee charged.

St Joseph’s and Saint Ignatius Colleges also do not charge an application fee.

A Saint Ignatius spokeswoman said there would be a record number of students starting year 7 at the school in 2024.

A St Joseph’s spokesman said there were waitlists for every year level, which could change at any time of the year.

He said the school could add an additional year 7 class “if there is increased demand”.

A Geelong Lutheran College spokeswoman said there were limited vacancies at both its Armstrong Creek and Newtown campuses in some year levels for 2024.

She said enrolments for 2025 and beyond are still being taken, with strong interest across both campuses.

Many of Geelong’s independent schools have expanded, or have plans to expand, to meet the region’s growing demand.

Christian College’s newest campus has an expected population of more than 200 students from prep to year 6 in 2024.

Sacred Heart launched a 10-year master plan in 2015 to redevelop its Newtown campus, with a 2023 update considering “significant” population growth in Geelong.

Saint Ignatius will open a new $25m centre in 2024, which will include 16 additional classrooms.

Dr Miller said despite recent growth, there were no plans to significantly increase Geelong College’s capacity.

Covenant, Clonard, Geelong Baptist, Christian Colleges, and Geelong Grammar did not provide comment by deadline.

Kardinia and Iona College declined to comment.

Originally published as Private school waitlists: Geelong parents pushed to extremes as wait times blow out