VCE results 2024: The full list of Victoria’s top-performing public and private schools revealed

The race to be the state’s top school has taken an unexpected turn, with several prestigious colleges experiencing a drop in their median VCE study scores this year. See where your school ranks.

The race to be the state’s top school has taken an unexpected turn this year, with a number of prestigious independent colleges seeing a drop in their median VCE study scores.

Out of this year’s 30 top-performing schools, 12 had a lower median study score this year compared to last, while 11 schools’ results remained the same.

Last year’s winner, Ballarat Clarendon College, has kept its top spot, but has to share equal billing with five other schools – Huntingtower, Ruyton Girls’ School, Mac.Robertson Girls’ High, Yeshivah College and Mount Scopus College, which all achieved a median score of 37.

Ballarat Clarendon College, which charges $22,470 in year 12 school fees, still maintained the highest percentage of study scores over 40 despite its total being 11 per cent less than last year.

School principal Jen Bourke said the results were “very pleasing”.

“We’re thrilled that our year 12 students are able to pursue their passions and dreams,” she said.

The Ballarat school wasn’t the only independent institution to see a slight tumble in median VCE results, with Yesodei HaTorah College’s median score plunging from 37 in 2023 to 28 this year.

Loreto Mandeville Hall, Korowa Anglican Girls’ School, Sacre Coeur, Brighton Grammar and Leibler Yavneh College were also among last year’s top performing schools which saw a one point decrease in their median VCE scores.

Ballarat Clarendon College maintained the highest percentage of study scores over 40 despite its total being 11 per cent less than last year. Picture: Ballarat Clarendon College

Generally speaking, Associate Professor Steven Lewis from Australian Catholic University said it was harder for a school to increase its scores when it was already a top performer.

“There are going to be variations between cohorts,” he said.

“It is also going to be interesting to see what comes out from the VCAA in the midst of it all such as the decisions around marking and how they’re accommodating to the leaking of test questions.”

While some schools descended down the leaderboard, a number of independent schools climbed up the ranks including Mac.Robertson Girls’ High which achieved a median study score of 37 and Melbourne Grammar, Haileybury College and Trinity Grammar which achieved 36.

Haileybury College was among the schools that climbed the ranks. Picture: Mark Stewart

Haileybury College chief executive and Principal Derek Scott said: “we undertake detailed data analytics, identify best practice teaching across all our campuses and we use that information to guide our continued improvement.”

Meanwhile, Yarra Valley Grammar’s median study score of 35 stayed the same, with principal Mark Merry calling his school’s scores “among the strongest in the history of the school”.

“I am delighted to announce that all students achieved their VCE. Some important statistics include 21 per cent of students with study scores of 40 or more, a median study score of 35 and six perfect scores of 50,” he said.

The unveiling of school-based VCE scores on Saturday also saw some non-selective state schools in the outer suburbs post an increase in their median study scores.

These include Princes Hill Secondary College, Box Hill High, Doncaster Secondary College, John Monash Science School, Sandringham College and Blackburn High.

Meanwhile, McKinnon Secondary College, Glen Waverley Secondary College, Mallacoota P-12 College and Victorian College of the Arts achieved a median study score of 33.

These state schools achieved the same results as high-fee institutions such as Carey Baptist Grammar School, Caulfield Grammar School and Ivanhoe Grammar, which charged fees of more than $30,000.

Twins Alex and Carl Petrucci have just graduated from VCE from Norwood Secondary College. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Norwood Secondary College celebrates outstanding results

Norwood Secondary College VCE students Carl and Alex Petrucci are happy and relaxed after receiving their outstanding year 12 results.

Their mother Andrea Hayward- Petrucci said she was “very proud of how hard they have worked”.

Carl had to juggle studying with medical appointments after being diagnosed with disseminated juvenile xanthogranuloma (JXG), which is a very rare form of histiocytosis, an immunologic disorder.

“The Monash Children’s Hospital was amazing, helping me make sure I was well and able to perform my best,” he said.

“I did pretty well, I went in thinking I might get a 90 ATAR if I really worked hard, but I got 95,” he said.

The twins smashed their goal ATARs with an 88.7 and 95. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Ms Hayward-Petrucci said Carl “has been a trooper throughout his illness even heading back to school after chemo and medical procedures”.

“We are lucky that a treatment has been found that works for Carl, it has been an international effort,” she said.

Alex received an ATAR of 88.7. “I only needed 75 so I easily smashed it,” he said.

“It’s been very stressful. Now I am looking forward to playing video games and hanging out with friends.”

The Ringwood North twins will both study a professional degree in computer science at Swinburne University next year.

Originally published as VCE results 2024: The full list of Victoria’s top-performing public and private schools revealed