Victoria’s best primary schools ranked

Victoria’s top 100 primary schools have been revealed, confirming how government schools in the suburbs stack up against elite private campuses charging big fees. See the list.

Alicia, 10, Andrew, 11 and Mihalis, 11 from Oakleigh South Primary School, which has been named one of the state's best with a perfect score of 100. Picture: Wayne Taylor

Nine state primary schools have been given the top ranking with a perfect score of 100, recognising their excellence in literacy and numeracy skills.

The Better Education analysis of 2020 academic outcomes shows 47 of the top 100 performing primary schools are state schools.

Beverley Hills Primary School in Doncaster East, Serpell Primary School in Templestowe, Oakleigh South Primary School and Glendal Primary School in Glen Waverley have been recognised among the best, alongside some of the most expensive schools in the state.

Many of these state primary schools are outperforming leading private primary schools, which cost tens of thousands of dollars in fees per year.

However, the top performers include some of the state’s most expensive primary schools, such as Presbyterian Ladies’ College in Burwood, which costs more $26,000 a year for year 6.

Other private schools that topped the list with a score of 100 include Haileybury College in Keysborough, St Andrews Christian College in Wantirna South, Huntingtower School in Mount Waverley and Ballarat Clarendon College.

The website is run independently and describes its aim as providing “informative and comparative school results, including school rankings or ratings and lists of best performing schools, to parents wanting to make ­choices about schooling for their children”.

The best overall score is an index of performance, not a ranking, the best score is 100 and the worst is 60, according to the independent website.

Schools on 99 include Korowa Anglican Girls’ School in Glen Iris, Camberwell Primary School, Virtual Schools Victoria in Thornbury, St Leonard’s College in Brighton East and St Kevin’s College in Toorak.

Good Shepherd School in Wheelers Hill made the top 100. Students Zoe, Luka and Ariella. Picture Rebecca Michael

Malvern Primary School, St Christopher’s School in Glen Waverley, Good Shepherd School in Wheelers Hill are among schools that scored 98.

Other top-performing suburban state schools include those in Forrest, Wheelers Hill, Preston West, Moorabbin, Wantirna, Vermont and Fitzroy North.

Some of the schools that ranked in the state’s top 5 per cent include Mount Waverley Primary School, Kilvington Grammar School in Ormond and Holy Trinity Primary School in Eltham North.

Top-performing schools with the broadest socio-economic mix of students include

Newmark Primary School, formerly known as Lumineer Academy in Williamstown, Lowther Hall Anglican Grammar School in Essendon and Woorinen District Primary School.

Oakleigh South Primary School vice principal Erik Albers said he was extremely proud of students’ efforts.

“Students at our school work exceptionally hard in all areas of the curriculum, not only English and mathematics, but also the arts, PE and STEM,” Mr Albers said.

“It’s a very holistic approach to learning and we are extremely proud of our teachers and students.”

Huntingtower School principal Andrew Houghton said he was incredibly proud of staff and students for their continued commitment to education, particularly during these 18 months of continuous lockdowns.

“We are incredibly grateful to all the families who support the children with home learning,” he said.