The top-performing Victorian schools offering affordable education

Victorian parents seeking a private school education for their child without the whopping price tag can access some top-performing schools in 2024. See the full list.

Bacchus Marsh Grammar is one of many schools with places available. Picture: Supplied

Many top-performing schools with affordable fees have vacancies for 2024, giving parents time to access a private school education for their child, the Herald Sun can reveal.

While top-fee schools can charge thousands of dollars to join a ten-year waiting list with no guarantee of a place, other academically excellent schools are keeping waiting lists and fees to a minimum.

A Herald Sun analysis of schools with VCE median scores of 30 or more and fees of less than $15,000 reveals many have vacancies for next year.

These include Our Lady of Sion in Box Hill, which has a median VCE score of 33, and has 24 vacancies spread across five year levels from year seven.

Our Lady of Sion in Box Hill has a median VCE score of 33. Picture: Google Maps

Alphington Grammar, which has a median VCE score of 32, has spaces available in years 5 and 6.

A spokesman for the school said: “In 2025 we will be opening another year 5 stream and expect to have increased capacity then to accept more enrolments, but experience tells us this will fill quickly.

“Year 5 is an increasingly popular entry point as a stepping stone to consolidate primary school learning, and to secure a place in secondary school,” the Alphington Grammar spokesman said.

Other schools with vacancies include Our Lady of Mercy College in Heidelberg, which has a median VCE score of 32. It has four vacancies at year 10, two at year 11 and four at year 12, depending on the VCE or VCE vocational major.

A spokesman for Alphington Grammar says another year 5 stream will open in 2025. Picture: Stuart McEvoy

Other schools expanding capacity to meet rising demand include Bacchus Marsh Grammar, which has a small number of positions available at year 7, 9 and 10 at the Woodlea campus.

Girton Grammar in Bendigo has places available in year 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10.

Northside Christian College which has a median VCE score of 31, has limited enrolment places available in 2024 in years 10 to 12.

Principal Michael Bond said the school’s “recent NAPLAN and VCE results are a positive outcome and highlight our rigorous learning program to support the learning of all students”.

“Northside Christian College is committed to developing a culture where students are passionate about learning for life and are transformed through Christ and the wonder of learning,” he said.

Lighthouse Christian College also has places available.

Other schools with places available include Oxley Christian College, Oakleigh Grammar, Plenty Valley Christian College, which has places in years 5, 10 and VCE and Hamilton and Alexandra College which has limited places at all year levels from prep to year 12.

At Sacred Heart College in Geelong there are minimal waiting lists, with demand varying at each year level.

Salesian College in Chadstone said it was “attracting high demand for enrolments due to a holistic learning approach, quality education, exciting Master Plan and affordable fees.

“Families who wish their son to strive for excellence in the spirit of Don Bosco are encouraged to apply,” a spokesman said.

Al-Taqwa College in Truganina says it has places available at all year levels. Picture: Kylie Else

Al-Taqwa College said it had places available at all year levels and is a “family-friendly Islamic school with a strong community involvement, and we do all we can to keep fees as low and affordable as possible for our students and their families”.

Gippsland Grammar, Lighthouse Christian College, Sacred Heart College in Yarrawonga, Sacred Heart College in Kyneton, St Mary’s College in St Kilda and St Joseph’s College in Newtown all have vacancies.

Some of the best bargain schools with high marks include Waverley Christian College, which has a median VCE score of 35 but fees of less than $12,000 and Goulburn Valley Grammar which has a median score of 34 and fees of less than $18,000.