- Selective Schools Dominate Rankings but require strong academic merit for entry.
- 15 out of the top 20 Brisbane schools are private, with schools like Brisbane Grammar (median ATAR 95.3) and Brisbane Girls Grammar (median ATAR 96.25) consistently delivering exceptional results.
- While rankings matter, consider your child's learning style, interests, and school culture.
Table Of Contents:
- What Are The Best Selective Schools In Brisbane?
- What Are The Best Public Schools In Brisbane?
- What Are The Best Private Schools In Brisbane?
- Conclusion
Looking for a reputable high school in Brisbane? Having trouble deciding which school will best suit you? Look no further. This post includes details about Brisbane's top high schools based on academic performance and rankings.
Brisbane has many schools to pick from, including public, private, and selective high schools. Picking the right school for 'you' is really important but...
The Top 20 Schools In Brisbane (Based On Better Education Rankings 2024)
Most of these schools are renowned for academic excellence. While the majority of parents and students opt for high-ranking schools in academics, there are other important considerations to make when choosing the 'ideal' high school, including facilities and resources, extracurricular activities, location, and costs.
| Ranking | School Name | Public/Private/Selective school |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Queensland Academy for Science Mathematics and Technology | Selective School (Public) |
| 2. | Brisbane Grammar School | Private |
| 3. | Brisbane Girls Grammar School | Private |
| 4. | Ormiston College | Private |
| 5. | Brisbane State High School | Partially Selective (Public) |
| 6. | Somerville House | Private |
| 7. | St Peters Lutheran College, Indooroopilly | Private |
| 8. | Brisbane Boys' College | Private |
| 9. | St Aidan's Anglican Girls' School | Private |
| 10. | St Joseph's College, Brisbane, QLD, 4000 | Private |
| 11. | Redeemer Lutheran College | Private |
| 12. | Cannon Hill Anglican College | Private |
| 13. | Anglican Church Grammar School | Private |
| 14. | Citipointe Christian College | Private |
| 15. | All Hallows' School | Private |
| 16. | Brisbane School of Distance Education | Public |
| 17. | Ipswich Grammar School | Private |
| 18. | St Margaret's Anglican Girls School | Private |
| 19. | Mansfield State High School | Public |
| 20. | Ipswich Girls' Grammar School | Private |
It is quite evident from the rankings that most of the schools in this list of top 20 high schools are private/independent schools. Below, is some information on some of the best schools in Brisbane based on their academic results and other facilities and opportunities they provide to their students that make them shine!
What Are The Best Selective Schools In Brisbane?
Selective schools are schools where entry depends on the academic merit of students. To assist the academic talent development and overall well-being of high-potential and talented students, selective high schools are specifically created to offer the best learning environments for students.
Through the use of specialised evidence-based teaching techniques and ability-matched groupings, these schools support student learning by enabling students to move through the curriculum more quickly and explore ideas in more depth and complexity.
Queensland Academy for Science, Math and Technology (QASMT)
A highly selective, state-owned Brisbane school partnered with the University of Queensland.
- Years 7–12
- International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum
- Consistently ranked #1 in Brisbane for academic results
- Admission based solely on academic merit
Queensland Academy of Creative Industries (QACI)
Public IB high school (Years 10–12) partnered with Queensland University of Technology.
- Opened in 2007
- Focus on creative industries alongside IB academics
Queensland Academy of Health Sciences (QAHS)
State-owned IB school (Years 10–12) located on the Gold Coast.
- Partnership with Griffith University
- Specialises in health sciences and academic excellence
Brisbane State High School (BSHS)
Partially selective public high school in South Brisbane, established in 1921.
- Admission preference for exceptional academic & athletic students
- Separate classes for selective students in English, Maths & Science
- Low student–teacher ratios for personalised learning
- Reading & maths skills above state average
- 2018: 67 students achieved OP1 (ATAR 99+), 9.14% of Queensland’s total
What Are The Best Public Schools In Brisbane?
Mansfield State High School
Coeducational and non-selective Brisbane high school recognised for academic success and niche programs.
- Student–teacher ratio: ~1:15
- Special programs: French Immersion, Music, and Information Technology (IT)
- 2021: 10 students achieved ATAR > 99.5
- 45% of students received ATAR > 90.0
Indooroopilly State High School
Co-educational Independent Public School with a diverse, multicultural community and strong academic outcomes.
- Recognised for Flagship Courses and specialist programs
- Focus on accelerating student learning with intensive programs
- Students regularly gain admission to top Queensland universities
- Offers strong multicultural exposure and inclusion
Kelvin Grove State College
Prep–Year 12 college known for innovation, real-world learning, and excellence in the arts.
- Partnerships with QUT, Griffith University, and the Australian Computer Society
- National reputation for performing arts and strong music program
- Arts faculty is one of the largest in Queensland
- Students perform strongly in Year 12 exams
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What Are The Best Private Schools In Brisbane?
Brisbane Grammar School
Private boys' school (Years 5–12) with boarding facilities and two campuses: middle and senior school.
- Oldest secondary boys' school in Brisbane
- Renowned cultural program and extensive extracurriculars, including sport
- 2021 Median ATAR: 95.3
- 2021: 11 students achieved ATAR 99.95 (out of 32 in Queensland)
- Over 45 clubs for holistic student development
Brisbane Girls Grammar School
Non-selective private girls' high school (Years 7–12) consistently achieving high academic results.
- Ranked top Queensland school for ATAR results in 2020
- 2021: Median ATAR 96.25
- Named one of Australia’s 40 most innovative schools
- Ranked #13 in the nation (Schools in Australia Rankings 2022)
Somerville House
Non-selective private girls' school in South Brisbane offering Prep–Year 12 education.
- 2021: Median ATAR 91.85
- 10 students achieved ATAR 99+
- All students achieved ATAR 80+
- 5 students scored 100 in external exams
- Provides scholarships for Years 7–12
All Hallows’ School
Catholic day school for girls (Years 5–12) and the oldest secondary school in Queensland.
- 2021 Median ATAR: 92.6
- 63% of students achieved ATAR 90+
- Strong focus on both academics and extracurricular activities
- Provides a well-rounded high school experience
Ormiston College
Independent co-educational school (Prep–Year 12) with strong academic focus.
- 2021: 100% of students received an ATAR
- 49% achieved ATAR 90+
- Median ATAR: 89.75
- Emphasis on lifelong learning and academic achievement
Conclusion
While all these schools have been ranked per their academic excellence, it might be a difficult decision to make. It is a big decision as it could shape the next few years of your life and possibly affect your career choices too but do not stress.
Take your time and do some thorough research before finding the right school. Always keep a few options in hand just in case you are not able to make it to your dream school. At the end of the day, all that matters is that you are engaged in your studies, maximising your learning potential and that you are HAPPY.
If you're after more resources, check these out! 👇
Manoj Arachige
Jessica Hinh
Manoj Arachige
Want To Secure Your Child's Spot At One Of Brisbane's Top Schools?
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FAQs
1. What's the difference between selective, partially selective, and private schools in Brisbane?
- Selective schools (like Queensland Academy for Science, Math & Technology) admit students purely on academic merit through entrance exams, are government-funded, and often follow specialised curricula like IB
- Partially selective schools (like Brisbane State High School) reserve some places for high-achieving students while maintaining regular enrollment, offering the best of both worlds with dedicated advanced classes
2. How early should I start preparing my child for selective school entry?
- Start preparation 12-18 months before the entrance exam to allow time for skill development and familiarity with test formats
- Focus on strengthening core subjects (English, Mathematics, and reasoning skills) as these form the foundation of most selective school entrance tests
3. Are private schools worth the cost compared to top public schools?
- Private schools offer smaller class sizes and extensive extracurricular programs but top public schools like Mansfield State High (45% of students achieving ATAR 90+) deliver comparable academic results
- Consider your family's priorities: if specialised programs, facilities, and networking matter most, private may be worth it — if strong academics are the main goal, excellent public options exist
