Melbourne’s best public and private high schools

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KIS Summary:

  • Melbourne High and Mac.Robertson Girls' lead the school rankings with median VCE scores of 37.
  • Balwyn High, Glen Waverley Secondary, and private schools like Bialik College also achieve excellent results (35-37 median scores).
  • While academic performance matters, also consider learning style, interests, school culture, location, and budget to ensure the best fit for long-term success.

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Choosing the right high school can have a lasting impact on your child’s academic success and future opportunities. In Melbourne, families can choose from a range of high-performing public, private, and selective schools, each offering unique advantages in academics, extracurricular programs, and pathways to tertiary study.

In this guide, we break down the best high schools in Melbourne for 2025, explain how rankings are calculated, and provide insights to help you choose the right option for your child.

Table Of Contents:

How Are Melbourne High Schools Ranked?

School rankings are generally based on VCE (Victorian Certificate of Education) results, particularly the percentage of study scores above 40. Higher percentages typically reflect stronger academic performance. Other factors that can influence rankings include:

  • Median study scores
  • ATAR results and university entrance rates
  • Selective entry success rates
  • Breadth of extracurricular offerings (music, sports, debating, STEM programs)
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Here is a handy video where we compare the best schools in Melbourne to send your child to in 2026:

The Top 25 Schools In Melbourne (Based on 2024/2025 VCE rankings)

Rank School Name Type Suburb 2024 Median VCE Study Score
1 Melbourne High School Public (Selective) South Yarra 37
2 Mac.Robertson Girls’ High School Public (Selective) Melbourne 37
3 Bialik College Private Hawthorn East 37
4 Mount Scopus Memorial College Private Burwood 37
5 Suzanne Cory High School Public (Selective) Werribee 37
6 Nossal High School Public (Selective) Berwick 37
7 John Monash Science School Public (Selective) Clayton 37
8 Haileybury Private Keysborough 36
9 Fintona Girls’ School Private Balwyn 36
10 Korowa Anglican Girls’ School Private Glen Iris 36
11 Ruyton Girls’ School Private Kew 36
12 Lauriston Girls’ School Private Armadale 36
13 Camberwell Grammar School Private Canterbury 36
14 Presbyterian Ladies’ College Private Burwood 36
15 Wesley College Private St Kilda Road 35
16 Genazzano FCJ College Private Kew 35
17 Melbourne Grammar School Private South Yarra 35
18 Xavier College Private Kew 35
19 Scotch College Private Hawthorn 35
20 University High School Public Parkville 35
21 Balwyn High School Public Balwyn North 35
22 Glen Waverley Secondary College Public Glen Waverley 35
23 East Doncaster Secondary College Public East Doncaster 34
24 Box Hill High School Public Box Hill 34
25 Mount Waverley Secondary College Public Mount Waverley 34

What Are The Best Selective Schools In Melbourne?

Selective schools admit students based on academic entrance exams and are known for outstanding results.

Top selective schools:

  • Melbourne High School (Boys) – Consistently ranked as one of Victoria’s best public schools with a strong academic tradition.
  • Mac.Robertson Girls’ High School – Melbourne’s premier girls’ selective school, excelling in STEM, debating, and VCE outcomes.
  • Suzanne Cory High School – Located in Werribee, offering a challenging academic program for high-achieving students.
  • Nossal High School – Known for its modern facilities and student-focused learning environment.

What Are The Best Public Schools In Melbourne?

These schools accept students based on local catchment areas but still achieve impressive VCE results.

Top public high schools:

  • Balwyn High School – High academic results and a broad range of co-curricular activities.
  • Glen Waverley Secondary College – Strong VCE outcomes with a focus on STEM and leadership programs.
  • Box Hill High School – Offers a selective entry accelerated program alongside standard enrolments.
  • University High School – Close to Melbourne Uni, providing excellent academic support and enrichment.

What Are The Best Private Schools In Melbourne?

Private schools often combine academic excellence with extensive facilities, extracurricular opportunities, and pastoral care.

Top private high schools:

  • Melbourne Grammar School – One of Australia’s oldest private schools, renowned for strong academic and sporting traditions.
  • Scotch College – Exceptional facilities and consistent VCE success, particularly in STEM and humanities.
  • Haileybury – Large campus network, high academic results, and a focus on leadership and global citizenship.
  • Methodist Ladies’ College (MLC) – Diverse co-curricular programs with outstanding VCE outcomes.
  • Ruyton Girls’ School – Known for its supportive learning environment and academic rigour.

Below is an updated table of some of the top Melbourne high schools—featuring selective public, non-selective public, and leading private schools—based on the latest available VCE and academic performance data for 2024/2025.

How To Choose The Right School?

When deciding between public, private, or selective options, consider:

  • Academic performance – Review VCE results and school rankings.
  • Location and transport – Catchment zones can determine eligibility for public schools.
  • Special programs – Look for accelerated learning, IB programs, or specialist arts/sports streams.
  • School culture – Visit open days and speak to current students and parents.

How To Prepare For Selective School Entrance Exams?

If aiming for a selective school, preparation is key. Entrance exams test:

  • Reading comprehension
  • Mathematics
  • Writing skills
  • Abstract reasoning

Many students begin preparation 6–12 months in advance to build familiarity with exam formats and time management skills.

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Conclusion On The Best Melbourne Schools

Melbourne offers a wealth of excellent high school options. Whether you choose a selective, public, or private school, the best choice is one that aligns with your child’s learning style, interests, and future ambitions.

Keep in mind that school rankings are just one factor — a great fit for your child often comes down to the environment, culture, and support systems in place.

If you're after more high school related resources, check this out! 👇

ATAR: The Anatomy of a Perfect Score, and how to get a 99.95 ATAR (updated 2025) | KIS Academics
The elusive 99.95 ATAR is something a lot of people strive for but few achieve. No matter what your goals are, it helps to learn from someone who’s achieved a top ATAR before, if only to learn some useful tips and tricks from them.
KIS Academics BlogJessica Hinh

FAQs About The Best Melbourne Schools

1.Which are the best schools in Melbourne?

Rankings vary year to year, but Melbourne High School and Mac.Robertson Girls’ High consistently top the list for public schools, while Melbourne Grammar and Scotch College lead private school rankings.

2. Which suburb in Melbourne has good schools?

The top suburbs in Melbourne for schools include:

- Kew
- Balwyn
- Doncaster East
- Glen Waverley
- Camberwell
- Northcote

These areas offer access to elite public and private schools and are known for being family-friendly with parks, amenities, and good infrastructure. 

3. Which Victorian schools are hardest to get into?

The hardest schools to get into in Victoria are usually selective public schools as you're are assessed on academic performance, as reflected in your selective entry exam scores. Top selective schools in Victoria include:

- Melbourne High School
- Mac. Robertson Girls' High School
- Suzanne Cory High School
- Nossal High School

4. What are the top 10 best schools in Melbourne?

The top 10 schools in Melbourne, based on 2024 Education rankings include:

  1. Melbourne High School
  2. Mac. Robertson Girls' High School
  3. Bialik College
  4. Mount Scopus Memorial College
  5. Suzanne Cory High School
  6. Nossal High School
  7. John Monash Science School
  8. Haileybury
  9. Fintona Girls' School
  10. Korowa Anglican Girls' School

5. What subjects does KIS tutor for high school students?

  • All HSC subjects including advanced mathematics, sciences, English, and humanities with specialised tutors for each area
  • Entrance exam preparation for selective schools, private school scholarships, and university admissions