The Educator’s list of ‘five-star’ schools honours 34 progressive institutions around Australia

From cutting-edge career programs to ‘a beacon of holistic development’, Australia's most forward-thinking schools have been recognised in a new education power list.

Australia’s most innovative and highest-performing schools have been recognised among 34 of the top institutions around the country by a magazine for teaching professionals.

Victoria and Queensland dominated The Educator magazine’s list of five-star educational institutions in Australia with 11 schools each.

The institutions given the five-star rating were a mix of private, public, primary, secondary and combined schools.

They included Kingswood College in Melbourne and St Margaret’s Anglican Girls School in Brisbane.

Kingswood, an early years to year 12 independent school, was recognised by The Educator for its careers program which “plays a vital role in supporting students’ personal growth”.

At private school St Margaret’s in Brisbane, enrolments had reached historic highs and had almost two-thirds of its students achieve an ATAR of 90 or above.

NSW had six schools represented on the list including Ravenswood School for Girls, which was described on the list as “a beacon of innovation, inclusivity and holistic development”.

It was praised for its visible wellbeing approach, a program which is woven into school life and fosters resilience, emotional intelligence and gratitude.

South Australia had three schools on the list, including Trinity College, Loreto College and St Peter’s Woodlands Grammar School.

Trinity College students Dalton Stedall and Erin Doudle. Picture: RoyVPhotography

At Trinity College in Adelaide, with more than 4400 enrolments spanning six campuses, students benefit from “the intimacy of small school environments with the breadth of a large, well-resourced institution”, head of college Nick Hately said.

The school’s urban fringe location means its students can engage in uncommon opportunities such as its equestrian, cattle and goat clubs.

Year 12 students Erin Doudle and Dalton Stedall feel the school is setting them up for their future careers.

Dalton, 17, said the size of the school was “pretty crazy” but that came with “lots of resources” as there are more than 700 staff to support students across all of its campuses.

“There are so many teachers with teaching styles that can support individual students’ needs,” he said.

One of the largest on-campus theatres in South Australia facilitated Erin’s passion for the performing arts.

“I love the performing arts space at Trinity and it provides us with the best opportunities,” the 17-year-old said.

WA had just two schools on the list – Joseph Banks Secondary College and St Hilda’s Anglican School for Girls, both in Perth.

The NT’s only representative was Larrakeyah Primary School, an independent public campus in Darwin, which benefits from government support but more control over aspects such as staff selection and financial management.

It was selected for its “strong focus on the future” with a comprehensive STEM program and was nominated for its use of technology in the 2025 Australian Education Awards.

The Educator, a publication for education professionals, selected the top schools based on six criteria including “innovative extra-curricular programs”, “comprehensive student support” and “technology in learning”.

Schools were awarded five stars after leaders, administrators and education professionals were invited to complete a detailed online survey about their institutions.

Originally published as The Educator’s list of ‘five-star’ schools honours 34 progressive institutions around Australia