State schools with spare capacity target of new push to relieve pressure on bursting campuses

Some of the state’s largest public schools will spill over capacity next year, while thousands of desks will sit empty at others. Search schools near you.

Some of the state’s largest public schools will spill over capacity next year, as families vie to enrol children at popular sites, rather than their local option.

But new campuses and building upgrades have taken some of the pressure off.

Based on population growth forecasts, the state government had been expecting 31 primary and secondary schools to be over capacity next year.

However, upgrades – which have added more than 1000 places across the public system – mean there are now only 14 schools expected to be above capacity in 2025.

Another 16 schools will have just 20, or fewer, spare spots.

Plympton International College is expected to remain the most stretched campus next year, with 175 pupils enrolled above its capacity of 1089.

In June, Education Minister Blair Boyer flagged a new “make every school a great school” program that focused on increasing enrolments at under-utilised schools, lifting student outcomes and “taking the pressure off surrounding schools”.

The state government is now finalising a list of 30 schools to target through the program in a bid to encourage more parents to choose their local public school.

It is expected to include some of the state’s most disadvantaged campuses.

Education Minister Blair Boyer wants to encourage more families to choose their local public school. Picture: Emma Brasier/NCA NewsWire

Mr Boyer said the program prioritised infrastructure upgrades, better supporting principals and offering more specialist teaching streams.

“We have also worked to build extra capacity into the system, such as in schools like the newly opened Morialta Secondary College, the upgraded Adelaide Botanic High School and the extra capacity stemming from the new Findon Technical College,” he said.

“Through this work, we have also been looking at population growth modelling and where capacity needs to be available over the coming years.”

Valley View Secondary School Year 12 captains Athanase and Tianah, both 17, with principal Yvette Swaalf. Picture: Matt Loxton

Valley View Secondary School, with a capacity of 724, was among an initial group of schools targeted through the school improvement program.

Principal Yvette Swaalf said enrolments at the Para Vista school had increased from 535 in 2023 to a projection of about 640 next year.

The school introduced a formal uniform this year and will next month open a $14m building upgrade, featuring a performing arts centre, library, Year 12 study area and wellbeing space.

Staff have also focused on specialist language teaching and this year were able to fill a Year 12 Italian class for the first time.

Ms Swaalf, who has led the school since 2019, said it had a “close knit community” where staff “know every student” and focused on high expectations, academic rigour and values-based learning.

“We’ve got an amazing culture of celebrating success,” she said.

“Valley View is now becoming what I would consider to be a school of choice.”

According to Education Department data released by Mr Boyer, The Heights School is the state’s second-most in demand campus behind Plympton International College, expecting to be 165 enrolment over its 2005-student capacity.

Glenunga International High School – the state’s largest public school – has a capacity of 2200, but is expecting to host 138 extra pupils next year.

At the other end of the spectrum, Aldinga Payinthi College B-12 has the most spare capacity. The campus, which opened in 2022, could have accommodated another 743 students this year.

A $98m expansion at Adelaide Botanic High School, due to open later this year, is adding 700 extra places at the CBD campus.

Renmark Primary School ranks third, with capacity for another 636 students.

There are 17 other schools with space for at least another 400 students, in Adelaide’s northern and southern suburbs or regional areas.

Two schools tied for the title of SA’s smallest school.

Robertstown Primary School and Woomera Area School both have eight students enrolled this year, but capacity for 50 students and 200 respectively.

Originally published as State schools with spare capacity target of new push to relieve pressure on bursting campuses