Australia’s Top 100 Public High Schools: Where your kids will get the best state education

Which schools provide a great education without the expense of going private? Here’s the definitive list of the nation’s 100 best public schools – based on data, not opinions.

New South Wales has cemented its status as the premier state for education, claiming nearly half of Australia’s top 100 government public secondary colleges – an incredible 48 schools that are setting the benchmark for excellence across the nation.

The state has secured six spots in the top 10 alone, making it a powerhouse for families seeking quality education without the private school price tag.

After unveiling the exclusive list of Australia’s Top 100 Private Schools in July, today we celebrate the best public high schools around the nation.

Every high school in Australia was assessed for its academic performance, student attendance level, student-teacher ratio, average fees and level of socio-educational advantage to create the ultimate education power lists – both a national top 100 and separate lists recognising the finest schools in each state.

STATE TOP 100 LISTS

READ MORE: See the top-ranked schools in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory.

All schools in the top 20 are selective, including 16 from NSW which has more public schools that require students to sit an academic entry test than any other.

However, the top 100 list also includes a number of entries from rural and outer suburban areas that ranked highly due to their affordable fees, low student-staff ratios and high NAPLAN results.

These include Charlton College in Victoria, which came in at number 45, Quilpie State College, which was ranked number 44 and Kimba Area School in SA, which was rated number 55.

The top 20 is also dominated by co-ed schools, with 12 making the list. Rounding out the top 20 are four boys’ only schools and four schools which are only attended by girls,

Leading the way in educational excellence is Sydney’s Conservatorium High School, Australia’s only specialist music high school and the crown jewel of our public education system.

With an intimate learning environment of just 7.5 students per teacher and an outstanding attendance rate where 84 per cent of students show up at least nine days out of 10, it’s no wonder this school sits at number one nationally.

Conservatorium High School students Kama Zalejska, 18, Amelie Wolfson, 17, Bodhi Patradoon, 18, and Thea Sholl, 18. Picture: Justin Lloyd

Right behind are Hurlstone Agricultural and Parramatta High Schools, both securing coveted top three positions.

Victoria isn’t letting NSW have all the glory, with 28 schools making the prestigious list. The state’s academic weapon is Suzanne Cory High School, ranked sixth nationally with stellar NAPLAN results, reasonable fees averaging out at $1791, and an 81 per cent attendance rate which shows students genuinely want to be there.

Victoria’s selective school system is clearly working wonders – MacRobertson Girls’ High claimed eighth place nationally, while Nossal High School landed at 21st and the legendary Melbourne High School secured 32nd place. In an interesting twist, Glen Waverley Secondary College actually outperformed Melbourne High, landing at 29th nationally.

The Sunshine State secured seven spots on the elite list, led by the impressive Queensland Academy for Science Mathematics and Technology – a selective-entry school – at fourth place nationally.

Brisbane State High School followed at 36th, with other standouts including Quilpie State College at 44th, Mansfield State High School at 47th, and Brisbane South State Secondary at 62nd.

Iconic Brisbane schools Indooroopilly and Kelvin Grove earned their places at 86th and 90th respectively.

South Australia contributed five schools to the national rankings, with Glenunga International High leading the state in 26th place.

Glenunga International High School students Jameson Pole, 18, Sara Zeitouneh, 17, Fahad Khan, 16, Hannah Duffett, 16, and Iris Lee, 17, say they have loved their education at SA’s top-ranked public school. Picture: Kelly Barnes

It was followed by fellow NAPLAN high-performer Kimba Area School which came 55th, Marryatville High (73rd), Adelaide High (87th) and Adelaide Botanic High (91st).

Western Australia secured nine positions, spearheaded by Perth Modern – the west’s exclusive fully academically selective coeducational college, which was ranked 10th.

Even our smaller states and territories made their mark, with the ACT’s Lyneham High School and Tasmania’s Flinders Island District State High School proving that educational excellence isn’t just about size – it’s about commitment to student success.

Dianne Giblin, chief executive officer of the Australian Council of State School Organisations said public high schools “are the backbone of our education system”.

“Families choose them because they are accessible, local, and inclusive, welcoming every child, regardless of background or circumstance”.

Ms Giblin said families should look for their schools to have leadership that is strong, communication is open, and student wellbeing is embedded in daily practice.

“Our public schools reflect the best of Australia: diverse, resilient, and committed to ensuring every young person has the opportunity to thrive,” she said.

Associate Professor Paul Kidson says one of the strengths of a public education is the diversity of the student cohort.

Australian Catholic University Associate Professor Paul Kidson, who is a former school principal, said the best schools have a “clear vision and set of values, and positive and respectful culture and people who are engaged”.

“Having high expectations and a sense of clarity about what’s important are often undervalued,” he said.

Associate Professor Kidson said state high schools have a “richness in their diversity”.

“Being able to harness this diversity into a shared community is a great value,” he said.

“You don’t always get to pick and choose, you are forced to get on together.”

He said state school leaders needed to understand that success is multifaceted.

“Sometimes it’s about a kid getting a 55 and then turning it into a 70,” he said. “NAPLAN and ATARs are just one measure, and it’s about taking pride in other things that are valuable.”

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Originally published as Australia’s Top 100 Public High Schools: Where your kids will get the best state education