The private schools worth paying big bucks for
Victoria’s most elite schools charge up to $40,000 for year 12, but is it worth it? These are the schools where splurging on your child’s final year will pay off.
Education
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Elite private schools continue to dominate Victoria’s list of best VCE results, with some charging more than $40,000 in tuition fees for a student in year 12.
The Herald Sun has compiled a list of the 50 best independent schools in Victoria with top ATAR scores from last year.
Students are marked out of 50 for each subject and receive a moderated percentage ATAR score, out of 99.95, for university entry.
Korowa Anglican Girls’ topped the list with a median ATAR score of 93.8. Haileybury College came close second with 93.5.
The high performing schools charge more than $35,000 in fees for a year 12 student.
Boys’ school Camberwell Grammar placed in the top five with a median score of 93, charging $32,434 for a year 12 student.
It outperformed comparative private boys schools Scotch College and Trinity Grammar School who charge more than $5000 extra in tuition a year.
In the state’s eastern suburbs, girls’ schools Lauriston, St Catherine’s, Fintona and Ruyton all had median ATARs around 92.
Lauriston is the most expensive, charging $39,392 for a year 12 student, compared to $34,288 at Fintona.
At a slightly more affordable price point, Huntingtower School in Mount Waverley came in at 11th with a median ATAR of 91.6, charging $25,620 for a year 12 student.
Siena College in Camberwell, which charges less than half of other independent schools in the area, achieved a median ATAR of 86.08.
A regional standout is Ballarat Clarendon College which came fifth, with a median score of 92.8.
The school charges $21,000 a year for a year 12 student, outperforming other top performing regional private schools including Geelong College which charges $32,544.
Aside from private schools, selective state schools continue to post outstanding results, with median ATAR scores of over 93 at MacRobertson Girls’ High, Melbourne High School and Nossal High School.
Haileybury principal Derek Scott said the school’s students have attained some of the best ATAR results in the state for several years.
“We are proud of their commitment and strong work ethic and the young people they become,” he said.
Mr Scott said among many factors contributing to the school’s results were “brilliant teachers”.
“It’s hard to explain brilliant teaching in three dot points but it’s about having teachers who are passionate, curious, engaged and who build strong relationships with their students and collaborate with each other,” he said.
Korowa principal Frances Booth said the school’s top results allowed students to “pursue the courses they want when they leave school”.
“At the heart of it, I think it is the strong academic relationships between staff and students which help them work together effectively, to achieve so well,” she said.
Huntingtower principal Andrew Houghton attributed the school’s glowing results to “high quality teaching, a supportive community and students who are kind, respectful and strive for excellence in all they do”.
Siena principal Elizabeth Hanney said the school is known for being one of the top performing schools in Melbourne without the price tag.
“We are proud that our students achieve such great results and proud that we are able to provide this excellence at an accessible price point for families,” she said.
But Australian Catholic University’s Victorian Head of the School of Education Dr Matthew Zbaracki said parents shouldn’t focus on ATAR results alone when choosing a school for their child.
“The main thing parents should consider is whether the school fits with the child’s interests and strengths,” Dr Zbaracki said.
“Having a look at what subjects are on offer particularly for VCE, the culture of the school, what extra-curricular activities they run, whether the values of the school align with the family.
“It’s really important that parents have the opportunity to tour the school and see what it looks like, not just on open days but also on days where the school is in action.”
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