News Corp has just published the new report ranking Australia’s 100 private schools.
Drawing from more than 20 performance indicators nationally, the list considers academic outcomes, sports, arts, facilities, and student well-being.
The result? A trend has emerged clearly. Single-sex schools dominate the top ranks. The full list has again raised the debate on private education’s future.
Why Are Single-Sex Schools Leading the Rankings?
Eighteen of the 20 schools listed are single-sex. The two co-ed schools are Haileybury and St Leonard’s College.
Such a pattern reflects a so-called, from the experts, “old stereotype performance advantage” attributed to single-sex schools.
Haileybury ranks second overall, first among co-educational schools, with St Leonard’s in tenth.
Educationists maintain that the single-sex paradigm accommodates a teaching method tailored to either gender. Others avow that the structure reduces distractions in crucial years of learning.
Brisbane Girls Grammar, Abbotsleigh, and SCEGGS are remarkable examples of schools that consistently deliver top academic results and strongly nurture leadership programs.
What Do State-by-State Rankings Show?
The top 100 private schools in Australia are concentrated in the four states, with New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, and South Australia dominating the rankings.
New South Wales
Twenty-five schools from New South Wales rank in the top 100. SCEGGS-Darlinghurst, Abbotsleigh, PLC Sydney, and Pymble Ladies’ College are prominent names.
Highest ranked school from New South Wales is SCEGGS, located in the eastern part of Sydney. Jenny Allum, Head of School who retires this year, says that the school “encourages both rigour and joy.”
Victoria
Victoria has 26 schools on the list. Haileybury with multiple campuses in Melbourne leads the state.
Its success is attributed to the “Parallel Education” model, in which boys and girls are segregated in core subjects while co-curricular program remains shared.
State-ranked tenth nationally, St Leonard’s College, which is also in Victoria, provides a great balance of academic excellence and student well-being programs.
Queensland
There are 20 Queensland private schools ranked in the national top 100. The Brisbane Girls Grammar School stands tall at the forefront.
An all-girls school offering over 40 subjects, five languages, and plenty of extracurricular activities.
Queensland’s showing reflects growing investment in elite education outside the southern states.
South Australia
South Australia makes a smaller but notable contribution. Scotch College ranks as the state’s highest, and the only co-ed school from SA in the top 50.
Scotch College’s balanced focus on academics, creativity and character development places it above many peers.
How Were the Schools Ranked?
These top 100 schools were chosen on a rolling basis of quantitative data and qualitative opinion. The methodology, in this regard, included –
- NAPLAN and ATAR results
- Subject offerings and language diversity
- Sports, arts, and other programs
- Student wellbeing and leadership development
- University entrance rates and scholarship programs
- Facilities and Technology integration
This broad evaluatory approach is meant to give parents a more holistic view of what top schools offer.
Unlike mere rankings based on ATAR scores, this model rewards all-round education and innovation.
Are Co-Ed Private Schools on the Rise?
While still in the minority in the very top echelon, co-educational private schools are steadily improving their standing.
Being second is certainly a landmark event for Haileybury. Pairing a co-ed culture with gender-specific learning could set a standard for others.
It is another triumph at St Leonard’s College, for it distinguishes itself with a broad academic curriculum and pastoral initiatives.
Experts say that as these co-ed schools increasingly invest in their staff, strategy, and support, more will enter the top ten list in years to come.
Do Single-Sex Schools Still Hold an Edge?
Yes. Statistically, single-sex schools continue to dominate across every state.
In NSW, all the top ten private schools happen to be single-sex. Eight out of the top ten schools in Victoria are similar.
This favoritism may be an effect of tradition and resources. Many of these schools have long histories, have prestigious alumni networks, and have established reputations.
Nowadays, parents question if gender-segregated schooling fits into modern values.
Nevertheless, the data asserts that single-sex school institutions remain very competitive in terms of performance and opportunity.
What Does This Mean for Parents and Students?
The Top 100 private schools list provides useful questions and perspectives for families eyeballing the path of elite education for their wards.
- Does each individual student in a single-sex system still perform better?
- Will co-ed schools suddenly rise into transformation and funding?
- How are regional schools to compete with inner-city elites?
In the change of education scene, these rankings might evolve to become their formation of policy, enrollment, and argument.
Also Read: Australian Inflation Drops Further, Opening Door for Interest Rate Cuts
Conclusion
The national ranking of the top 100 private schools reveals clear trends. Single-sex schools still lead. New South Wales and Victoria are still dominant, with Queensland and South Australia catching up. Co-ed schools such as Haileybury and St Leonard’s are gradually disrupting the order. And then this list is a very useful snapshot of Australia’s best-performing private schools for the parents, schools, and policymakers.
