New data reveals fastest growing Victorian schools

Schools in growth corridors are experiencing a massive boom in enrolments, new data shows. See how your school compares.

Richmond High School has recorded a 576 per cent rise in enrolments since 2018. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Schools in Victoria’s outer regions are experiencing a massive boom in enrolments, new data has revealed.

Edgars Creek Secondary College in Wollert has taken the title for fastest growing campus in the state, with a 1041 per cent surge in enrolments.

The school, which began taking enrolments before opening in 2021, grew from 18 enrolments in 2018 to 1004 last year.

The data from ACARA shows the fastest growing campuses over the past five years, with many from Victoria's booming growth corridors in the west and other outer suburbs.

Schools with booming student populations include Our Lady of the Way Catholic Primary School in Wallan, which grew 674 per cent, Springside West Secondary College in Fraser Rise (607%), Tarneit Rise Primary School (598%) and Richmond High School (576%).

Schools, some of which have been closed or are smaller learning centres, experienced a decline in enrolments.

This includes Lower Plenty Primary School, which experienced a decrease of 65 per cent in enrolments since 2018.

Holy Saviour Parish School in Vermont South had a 51 per cent decline in enrolments.

It comes after the state government earlier this year unveiled the designs for 14 new schools set to open in 2024, which will enrol thousands of students between them.

Some of the school designs revealed include Aintree Secondary School, Alexander Boulevard Primary School, Lockerbie Central Primary School and Officer Brunt Road Primary School.

In October, the Herald Sun revealed seven new Catholic schools would open over the next three years in Victoria’s booming growth corridors.

These include St Teresa of Kolkata Catholic Primary School, Tarneit North and Marymede Catholic College, Doreen Campus, which will open next year.

Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS) executive director Dr Edward Simons said changes to the demographic profile of an area will impact school enrolments.

“Our modelling shows that demand for Catholic education is particularly growing in Melbourne’s northern and western corridors, where MACS has opened twelve schools since 2018, servicing some 4766 students,” Dr Simons said.

Many of the fastest-growing schools are in Victoria's booming growth corridors. Picture: iStock

“With seven new schools planned to open over the next three years, one of the key challenges is delivering school infrastructure quickly enough to meet increasing demand.”

Independent Schools Victoria chief executive Michelle Green said its schools continued to record “strong enrolment growth”.

“This confirms parents value the autonomy and flexibility these schools provide when they’re looking for a school that meets the unique needs of their children,” she said.

“The growth is particularly strong in schools in outer suburban growth areas, serving the needs of young, growing families.

“About 160,000 young Victorians attend independent schools, with enrolments growing by 2.9 per cent last year, outstripping the increase in other school sectors.”

“Half of these schools are classified as low-fee,” she added.

A Department of Education spokesman said: “Each year the department reviews forecast demographic data and actual school enrolments to identify expected government school demand”.

“We use this information to plan for where schools need to be delivered to meet growing demand,” he said.