What Are Adelaide's Best High Schools in 2026?
Adelaide's school landscape is often underestimated by interstate families — but South Australia has a well-resourced, competitive secondary school sector with strong public selective entry options, prestigious Catholic schools, and a growing independent sector. Since the SACE (South Australian Certificate of Education) produces an ATAR directly comparable across Australia, Adelaide students compete on a national stage.
This guide gives you an honest overview of Adelaide's most highly regarded high schools in 2026, what the rankings tell you, and how to think about secondary schooling in a way that genuinely supports your child's goals.
📌 Quick Summary
- Adelaide has selective entry public schools, strong Catholic secondary schools, and well-regarded independent schools — all operating under the SACE framework.
- SACE produces an ATAR that is nationally comparable, so Adelaide students compete on equal footing for Australian university entry.
- School choice matters — but subject selection, teaching quality, and individual preparation matter just as much for SACE outcomes.
Table of Contents
- Top Public High Schools in Adelaide
- Top Private High Schools in Adelaide
- What Does "Best" Really Mean for SACE?
- How to Use School Rankings Wisely
- Is Your Child at One of These Schools? Here's How to Get Ahead
- FAQ
Top Public High Schools in Adelaide
South Australia's Department for Education operates a selective entry system through a small number of specialist schools, alongside a wide network of comprehensive state high schools.
Selective Entry and High-Performing State Schools
- Adelaide High School (Adelaide CBD) — selective entry school located centrally; consistently among South Australia's top-performing state schools for SACE outcomes. Offers a broad curriculum with strong maths, science, and humanities streams.
- Adelaide Botanic High School — newer selective entry school that has quickly built a strong academic reputation; emphasis on innovative and project-based learning alongside strong SACE preparation.
- Glenunga International High School (Glen Osmond) — selective high school with a strong international focus; offers the International Baccalaureate (IB) program alongside SACE; consistently high-performing in both.
- Marryatville High School (Marryatville) — selective entry school with a focus on languages, arts, and maths; regularly cited among Adelaide's top state schools.
Comprehensive State High Schools
Many of Adelaide's non-selective state high schools produce strong SACE outcomes, particularly in specific subject areas. Schools in well-resourced areas with experienced teaching staff consistently outperform what their "non-selective" label might suggest.
For current school data, refer to the SACE Board of South Australia and the Department for Education South Australia.
Top Private High Schools in Adelaide
Adelaide's private school sector is anchored by long-established Catholic and Anglican schools, many with strong academic traditions and comprehensive co-curricular programs. The sector is smaller than in Sydney or Melbourne but no less competitive.
Independent Schools
- Prince Alfred College (Kent Town) — one of Adelaide's most prominent independent boys' schools; strong SACE outcomes and co-curricular depth including sport, music, and debating.
- Pembroke School (Kensington Park) — co-educational independent school; offers both SACE and IB; strong academic and community culture.
- Wilderness School (Medindie) — independent girls' school; well-regarded for academic rigour and leadership development.
- Mercedes College (Springfield) — independent Catholic girls' school in Adelaide's west; strong SACE results.
- Seymour College (Glen Osmond) — independent girls' school; strong in arts and academics; increasingly prominent in SACE outcomes.
- Scotch College Adelaide (Torrens Park) — independent boys' school; long tradition, co-educational in early years; strong across SACE subjects.
- Concordia College (Highgate) — Lutheran co-educational independent school; strong community culture and SACE results.
Catholic Schools
- St Peter's College (St Peters) — one of Adelaide's most prestigious independent Catholic boys' schools; consistently strong SACE outcomes; significant co-curricular program.
- Rostrevor College (Rostrevor) — Catholic boys' school with a strong SACE track record and extensive co-curricular offering.
- Blackfriars Priory School — Catholic boys' school in the inner north.
- St Michael's College (Henley Beach) — Catholic co-educational school; strong community and academic culture.
- Loreto College (Marryatville) — Catholic girls' school; consistently high-performing in SACE.
- Nazareth Catholic College — Catholic co-educational; strong community and SACE focus.
We don't publish specific ATAR averages for individual Adelaide schools. For current, accurate school performance data, refer to the SACE Board of South Australia and the My School website.
What Does "Best" Really Mean for SACE?
In South Australia, SACE results are generated through a combination of school-based assessment and external assessment, similar to Queensland's QCE but with a different weighting structure.
How SACE ATAR Works
The SACE comprises:
- Stage 1 (typically Year 11) — school-based assessment, externally moderated
- Stage 2 (typically Year 12) — school-assessed folio and external assessments (exams); Stage 2 is what generates the ATAR
Stage 2 subjects are assessed partly through school-based tasks (marked internally and moderated externally) and partly through SACE Board external exams. The ATAR is calculated by SATAC (South Australian Tertiary Admissions Centre) based on best-five scaled subject scores.
The Selective Entry Advantage — and Its Limits
Adelaide's selective entry state schools (Adelaide High, Glenunga, Marryatville) consistently produce strong SACE results — but as in other states, this partly reflects the academic calibre of students who enter. The question for families is not just "does this school rank well?" but "does my child have access to excellent teaching in the subjects they need, and does the school culture support their wellbeing through the SACE years?"
What Rankings Don't Show You
- Whether a school's best subjects are your child's subjects
- The quality of feedback on school-based assessment tasks (which directly affects Stage 2 performance)
- How the school supports students whose results plateau partway through Stage 2
- Whether the school's culture of achievement is collaborative or competitive to the point of being stressful
How to Use School Rankings Wisely
Check Subject Depth, Not Just Overall Rank
Adelaide's smaller school sector means some subjects may not run at every school if enrolments are insufficient. If your child wants to study Psychology, Music Studies, or a less common language, confirm with the school that these subjects actually run to Stage 2 with experienced teachers.
Understand School-Based Assessment Quality
In SACE, the quality of teacher feedback on school-based assessment tasks matters directly to outcomes. Ask prospective schools:
- How do teachers mark school-based tasks relative to SACE Board standards?
- Are students given detailed criterion-referenced feedback before tasks are finalised?
- How does the school prepare students for the external exams?
Consider the IB Option
Both Glenunga International High School and several Adelaide private schools (including Pembroke and some others) offer the IB alongside SACE. The IB is an internationally recognised qualification that suits students who prefer breadth, continuous assessment, and an internationally focused curriculum. Both IB and SACE produce ATARs recognised for Australian university entry — but they suit different learning styles.
Geography and Commute
Adelaide is a relatively compact city, so school geography is less of an issue than in Sydney or Melbourne. However, schools in the eastern suburbs (where many selective and private schools are concentrated) can still involve meaningful travel for families in the northern, southern, or western suburbs.
Is Your Child at One of These Schools? Here's How to Get Ahead
Whatever school your child attends in Adelaide, their SACE ATAR will be determined by the quality of their work in Stage 2 subjects — both the school-based assessment and the external exams.
The students who achieve their best possible ATAR are those who:
- Understand exactly what SACE Board markers are looking for at Stage 2 (not just what their teacher prefers)
- Draft and revise school-based assessment pieces with quality feedback before submission
- Practise past external exam questions systematically and get feedback on their responses
This is where targeted support makes a real difference. At KIS Academics, our tutors have worked with 5,600+ students including many from South Australia navigating the SACE framework. Our tutors average a 99.50 ATAR and understand both the technical demands of SACE subjects and the marking standards external assessors apply.
For more on how we support SACE students, visit our SACE tutoring page or book a free 30-minute consultation. No commitment required.
Conclusion
Adelaide's best high schools — selective entry state schools, prestigious Catholic institutions, and growing independent schools — offer genuine academic quality in a city that's often underestimated. But as in every state, school prestige is only one part of the equation.
Your child's SACE ATAR will be shaped by the subjects they choose, the quality of their school-based assessment, and how effectively they prepare for external exams. Those are all things you can support and improve — regardless of which school they attend.
If you'd like a tutor to work with your child on their SACE subjects, we offer a free 30-minute study skills consultation — no commitment required. Book your session here.
FAQ
How does the SACE ATAR work in South Australia?
The South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE) ATAR is calculated by SATAC (South Australian Tertiary Admissions Centre) based on a student's best five Stage 2 subject results, scaled and aggregated. Stage 2 subjects combine school-based assessment (marked internally and moderated by the SACE Board) with external SACE Board exams. The resulting ATAR is nationally comparable and recognised by all Australian universities.
How do I find Adelaide school SACE results?
The SACE Board publishes annual statistical data on school performance. The My School website (myschool.edu.au) provides school-level data including NAPLAN results and demographic information. The Advertiser and other South Australian media typically publish school ATAR ranking data annually following the release of results in December.
Are Adelaide's selective entry high schools hard to get into?
Admission to Adelaide's selective entry state high schools (Adelaide High, Glenunga, Marryatville, Adelaide Botanic) is competitive. The application process involves academic testing and sometimes a portfolio or interview, depending on the school. Places are limited and demand is high, particularly for academically motivated students. Contact each school directly for current entry requirements and application timelines.
Does the IB give South Australian students an advantage?
The IB diploma is well-regarded internationally and translates to an ATAR equivalent for Australian university entry. Some Australian universities also look favourably on IB results for specific courses. However, the IB is not inherently "better" than SACE for domestic university entry — it depends on the student's strengths and the university course they're targeting. Both pathways are well-respected by Australian universities.
What support is available if my child is struggling with SACE subjects?
If your child is struggling with Stage 1 or Stage 2 SACE subjects, the first step is to speak with their subject teacher about specific gaps. Schools often have additional learning support resources as well. For targeted, one-on-one support aligned to SACE marking standards, tutoring is one of the most effective options — particularly in the lead-up to school-based assessment deadlines and external exams. KIS Academics offers tutoring for all major SACE subjects, with a free 30-minute consultation to get started.
