Search the list: Migrant enrolments soar at Victoria’s Top 100 schools

Migrant students are flocking to our best public and private schools, changing demographics and boosting NAPLAN scores. See which schools have the biggest levels of growth.

Enterprising migrant families are flocking to top public and private schools, leading to changing demographics and higher academic results, new data shows.

Migrant students have increased four-fold at some schools over the past decade, exclusive analysis of enrolment trends shows.

Some large private schools now have seven out of 10 students from language background other than English (LBOTE) families – many of them from China.

Many of the leading public schools in the country have as many as 97 per cent of students coming from non-English speaking backgrounds.

Gurveen, Gurnaz and Gurshaan at Good News Lutheran School in Tarneit, Victoria, with their mum Amanbir and principal Fiona McAuliffe. Picture: David Crosling

Analysis of the changing demographics at the Top 100 private schools in the nation shows the proportion of such students has increased in 86 out of 100 schools over the past decade.

The Victorian school with the biggest increase is Presbyterian Ladies’ College in Burwood, which has gone from 35 per cent of students with non-English speaking backgrounds in 2014 to 71 per cent in 2024.

Top-ranked private school Haileybury College has increased from 10 per cent to 46 per cent in the same period, along with Ruyton Girls’ School, which has gone from six to 41 per cent.

The Victorian public schools with the highest proportion of migrant students are Glen Waverley Secondary College (92 per cent), followed by Nossal High School (91 per cent) and Suzanne Cory High School (89 per cent).

The gap in NAPLAN scores between LBOTE and non-LBOTE students in Victoria has grown from seven points in 2014 to 17 this year.

Meanwhile, LBOTE students make up a further 5 per cent of all students.

School leaders and migrant families say these choices are driven by academic excellence and the high value migrant families place on education.

Many migrant students overperform in NAPLAN, helping raise the performance of the schools they attend while also enriching their culture, exclusive analysis of year 7 and 9 NAPLAN results by News Corp Australia shows.

Despite English often being a second or third language, LBOTE students outperform their peers across the country. Since 2008, the gap between these students has exploded from just two points to 21.

These figures reflect the importance many migrant families place on their child’s academic success.

Rachel Holthouse, CEO of Independent Schools Victoria, said Victoria’s independent school sector was experiencing strong demand, particularly in Melbourne’s growth corridors, as migrant and newly arrived families seek schools and communities that reflect their values and aspirations.

“These families want their children to access opportunities they may not have had themselves. The diversity of independent schools means families of all religions, cultures, and socio-economic backgrounds can find a school where their children can thrive and reach their potential,” she said.

The Heights in South Australia has increased its proportion of students from migrant families from 16 per cent to 51 per cent – including Muhammad and Minha at the front, and Paarth and Abbas at the back. Picture: Dean Martin

At top-ranked private school Presbyterian Ladies’ College (PLC) in Victoria, seven out of ten students are from a non-English speaking background.

The shift is led by students like Year 12 Cecilia Luo, and her mother Claire Wang, 44.

Beijing-based Dr Wang sent her daughter Cecilia to board at PLC for its safety and academic reputation.

Each term Cecilia travels independently from Beijing to attend PLC.

Dr Wang said her family places a high value on education, and had been saving for Cecilia’s studies since she was born.

“Education has been a transformative force in my own life,” she said.

“I earned a PhD and, through education, built a professional career here in Beijing, starting in a small village in China.”

“I’ve always encouraged Cecilia to strive not only for academic excellence but also to stay true to herself.

Cecilia Luo is a Presbyterian Ladies College (PLC) student of Chinese descent.

Elena Shiao is a Presbyterian Ladies College (PLC) student of Korean and Chinese descent.

Year 12 Elena Shiao is one of Cecilia’s boarding peers.

Elena grew up speaking Korean with her mother Stella Lee, 43, placing her in the LBOTE category.

Ms Shiao said her family has a “deep belief in the value of education”.

“To us, education is not only about academic achievement, but also about laying the foundations for character, resilience, and practical life wisdom,” she said.

PLC principal Dr Emma Burgess said her school was proud of the contribution of migrant families, but reiterated every student, regardless of background, makes up “one exceptional cohort”.

“We see their contribution most clearly in the richness they bring to our culture,” Dr Burgess said.

“You witness their genuine love of learning and their eagerness to embrace every facet of school life. “I believe this stems from families who deeply value education and actively prioritise time and support for their children to pursue excellence across the curriculum and co-curriculum.”

Dr Emma Burgess is the principal of Presbyterian Ladies College. Picture: The Photo Studio Glebe

Fiona McAuliffe, principal of Good News Lutheran College, said her school was “experiencing rapid growth as more families move into Melbourne’s fast-growing western corridor”.

“Enrolments continue to grow year on year, and, in response to overwhelming demand, this year we opened a second campus in Mambourin.

“Many migrant families moving into the area are looking for schools that share their values, offer strong learning pathways, and provide a safe and supportive community,” she said.

“With low fees and dedicated teachers, the school is ideal for hardworking families who are prioritising education.”

Mum Amanbir has sent three children to the school, Gurshaan (year 1), Gurveen (year 3), and Gurnaz (year 9).

“We chose Good News Lutheran College when we moved to the area as the values aligned with what we believe, especially showing gratitude for all the gifts, we have,” she said.

“We like that they learn to be disciplined and show respect for the rules alongside a strong academic focus. My children have had opportunities to participate in academic and sporting competitions and take on leadership roles.”

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Originally published as Search the list: Migrant enrolments soar at Victoria’s Top 100 schools