Finding the right public high school for your child to attend is not only a difficult but also a crucial decision. When choosing a school, many things need to be considered, and there is a lot of material that has to be sorted through. You are concerned about your child's intellectual, social, and emotional growth and want to do what you can to help them. At the same time, you want them to be in an atmosphere where they may relax and not be afraid of their surroundings.
Because your kid will spend a significant amount of time at school, it is vital that the facilities either be located on the school grounds or within a reasonable walking distance from the school. In addition, it's important to consider the individual requirements of each student when determining whether or not they should have access to sports facilities, libraries, or laboratories.
When you're a parent, you want the very best for your kid (or kids), no matter what. After all, the decisions you make for them will significantly impact the rest of their lives. But, unfortunately, one of those choices that can completely alter the course of your life is where you go to school.
We can assist you in reducing the severity of that problem for you. The following are the best public high schools in Melbourne, Victoria.
Ultimate List of Public High Schools Melbourne
University High School - Public High School Melbourne
03 9347 2023
| Early Learning Centre | No |
| Primary School | No |
| High School | Yes |
| Course Range | Years 7 – 12 |
| Main Gender | Co-Education |
| Boarding School | No |
| Estimated No. of Students | 1,544 |
| School Fees | Low |
University High School has a long and proud history of providing exceptional educational opportunities to its diverse local community. This custom is still practiced today. Our teachers, staff, and administration are only as good as the children and families we serve.
Students who enroll at University High are welcomed into an exceptional learning environment that values their emotional, social, and academic development equally. Teachers who are innovative, passionate, and dedicated, as well as experts in their fields, guide this environment.
Our children place a high value on studying and working hard, which, combined with our families' unwavering support and the strong community partnerships we have, enables us to achieve exceptional academic results. Students at University High School are actively engaged and inspired both inside and outside of the classroom, demonstrating that this school truly values learning above all else.
University High School students have an active understanding of the global world in all of its facets, including the political, social, economic, and environmental. Our activities and curriculum teach students to think critically and to become active members of their communities as young citizens.
The use of sub-schools is a long-standing and beloved tradition at our school. Each specialized school is named after a notable graduate who exemplifies the institution's core ideals of "passion, excellence, respect, and integrity" and has contributed to the school's commitment to diversity. Our former students continue to inspire us, and hearing about their experiences deepens our sense of belonging to a community.
Brentwood Secondary College - Public High School Melbourne
03 8545 0303
| Early Learning Centre | No |
| Primary School | No |
| High School | Yes |
| Course Range | Years 7 – 12 |
| Main Gender | Co-Education |
| Boarding School | No |
| Estimated No. of Students | 1,700 |
| School Fees | Low |
Brentwood students attend one of the area's more than forty primary schools, both public and private, with the three largest schools within walking distance. Students who live outside of Glen Waverley/Wheelers Hill take the bus to Brentwood Primary School. Almost 60% of Brentwood students live in the Glen Waverley/Wheelers Hill neighborhood. There are numerous commercial bus companies that run regular routes to and from the College.
The density of Student Family Occupation and Education (SFOE) was calculated to be 0.2502, putting it in the low band. The higher the SFO percentile, the lower the SFOE density; conversely, the lower the SFO percentile, the higher the SFOE density. As a result, a higher SFO percentile indicates that students come from better-off families. Brentwood's SFOE percentile ranks between the 75th and 95th percentiles when compared to the performance of students at other government schools.
When they leave Brentwood, the vast majority of year 12 students continue their education at universities or TAFE colleges in Victoria. While 75% of students attend universities, with Monash University being the most popular, only about 20% continue their education at TAFE colleges or other training facilities. All Brentwood graduates ought to be given the chance to advance their education, careers, or training.
Mount Waverley Secondary College - Public High School Melbourne
+61 (03) 9887 9293
| Early Learning Centre | No |
| Primary School | No |
| High School | Yes |
| Course Range | Years 7 – 12 |
| Main Gender | Co-Education |
| Boarding School | No |
| Estimated No. of Students | 1,833 |
| School Fees | Low |
Our learning community, which now has an impressive track record of accomplishments, was founded in 1964. It has a strong reputation for providing an academic learning environment, which leads to a high percentage of our students being accepted into tertiary education institutions. As a result of this environment, our students have an excellent chance of academic success.
Mount Waverley Secondary College welcomes students from all backgrounds. We uphold ideals that encourage and support individual dignity and the development of healthy relationships. We are deeply committed to improving the school and the surrounding community, and we are active participants in the fight for social justice on the local, national, and international levels. We place a high value on developing positive relationships among our students, their parents or caregivers, and our faculty. As three of the most important aspects of student life, the college places a strong emphasis on "Community, Choice, and Engagement."
FAQs About Public High Schools
It can be hard just trying to keep up with school, extracurricular activities, a family life, and a social life all at the same time. In addition, if you aren't getting the amount of rest your body requires, this may be the root cause of several mental health issues, including increased anxiety and sadness, poor eating patterns, and more. Therefore, it is essential to have good organisation in high school.
The ability to think "beyond the box" can cause high achievers to experience boredom in the classroom or a lack of enthusiasm. Being bored can cause frustration, which can lead to poor behaviour or despair. Students who have a competence level above average but who are not challenged or engaged in their schoolwork run the danger of not reaching their full academic potential.
The skills of researching, listening, collaborating, leading, being creative and imaginative, and putting out regular and prolonged time, effort, and hard work into activities, classes, and topics that matter are all skills that students in high school can learn.
When students are in high school, their grades are given considerably greater importance than in middle school or elementary school. A student's postsecondary future will benefit from having strong academic performance in high school, particularly if the student is interested in receiving financial aid and attending college.
Even when comparing students of the same race, gender, standardised test scores, and socioeconomic background, most papers find that high school course-taking does not make more than a two per cent difference in the final college grade. This is the case even when the high school courses include Advanced Placement.
Balwyn High School - Public High School Melbourne
9819 7913
| Early Learning Centre | No |
| Primary School | No |
| High School | Yes |
| Course Range | Years 7 – 12 |
| Main Gender | Co-Education |
| Boarding School | No |
| Estimated No. of Students | 2,200 |
| School Fees | Low
Link To School Fees Page: https://www.balwynhs.vic.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Parent-Payments-Arrangements-Year-7.pdf |
Every day, the goal of Balwyn High School is to provide each student with a truly holistic education, one that encourages personal development, self-sufficiency, and community service in addition to academic success.
We are committed to both excellence and community, and one way we show this is by encouraging and assisting each and every staff member and student in reaching their full potential. We hold all members of our community to the highest standards possible, and we proudly recognize and celebrate achievement in all of its forms.
Our well-known ethnic diversity not only helps us to remain powerful, but it also creates the most authentic educational environments for every member of our school's community to benefit from.
We understand the significance of the trust placed in us to raise children who will develop a love of learning, continue their education after leaving our school, and go on to effectively make their way in the world and make an impact.
Nossal High School - Public High School Melbourne
03 8762 4603
| Early Learning Centre | No |
| Primary School | No |
| High School | Yes |
| Course Range | Years 9 – 12 |
| Main Gender | Co-Education |
| Boarding School | No |
| Estimated No. of Students | 832 |
| School Fees | Low
Link To School Fees Page: |
It is one of only four academically selective high schools in the state of Victoria, and it was the first fully academically selective coeducational Government High School in all of Victoria. Nossal High School's student body is made up of mature individuals who value their education and have lofty career goals for themselves.
The buildings are equipped with cutting-edge technology and information and communications technology (ICT), and they are designed in the same style as those found in universities. Because of our location and partnerships with Monash University, Federation University, and Chisholm Institute, our community has access to programs and facilities at both the secondary and tertiary levels. This enables the formation of rich connections and opportunities that are both stimulating and taxing.
We offer a wide range of curricular and co-curricular activities and programs, all of which are heavily influenced by our students, who have an active and genuine voice in the administration of the institution. In addition to a rigorous academic curriculum, we offer numerous opportunities for our students to participate in extracurricular activities such as artistic expression, musical performance, community service, cultural immersion, social engagement, and leadership development.
Buckley Park College - Public High School Melbourne
+613 9331 9993
| Early Learning Centre | No |
| Primary School | No |
| High School | Yes |
| Course Range | High School |
| Main Gender | Co-Education |
| Boarding School | No |
| Estimated No. of Students | 988 |
| School Fees | Low
Link To School Fees Page: |
Buckley Park College has provided excellent educational opportunities to students from Essendon and the surrounding suburbs since its inception in 1963. The school's motto is "Build Your Wings," and it is intended to represent the important role that the school plays in fostering the intellectual and personal growth of its students in order to better prepare them for a successful and joyful future. Many graduates have gone on to become powerful figures in a variety of fields, including business, the professions, and their communities.
Grades 7 through 12 are served by the medium-sized, coeducational, single-campus Buckley Park College. The school is big enough to give kids a challenging and varied education, yet it's also small enough to support personal development.
Students at Buckley Park College engage in a thorough and integrated educational process. Throughout their secondary school, students methodically develop the knowledge, abilities, and understandings necessary for them to successfully advance and continue their study at a higher level. Teachers who are highly qualified and committed to their work provide students with the challenge, encouragement, and support they need to achieve outstanding academic achievements in both core and co-curricular programs. This is done while also assisting students' transition into adulthood and citizenship.
Mac. Robertson Girls' High School - Public High School Melbourne
+61 3 9864 7703
| Early Learning Centre | No |
| Primary School | No |
| High School | Yes |
| Course Range | Years 9 – 12 |
| Main Gender | All Girls |
| Boarding School | No |
| Estimated No. of Students | 989 |
| School Fees | Low |
Rob, or simply "Rob," as he is more commonly known. Mac. Rob is one of Victoria's four selective admission schools, and as such, it plays an important and inclusive role in the state, providing students with similar interests and abilities with a sense of connection, belonging, and challenge.
Mac. Because of our unwavering dedication to improvement and the growth of students who are inquisitive, driven, and critical thinkers, Rob is well renowned for its exceptional results. This standing goes beyond the confines of our school. Our school encourages students to be actively engaged in their education, and they understand that we learn best when we collaborate with others, and that success is most satisfying when it is shared.
We believe in our students' ability to make significant contributions to the school and encourage them to do so by allowing them to collaborate with faculty members on learning and decision-making projects, as well as by providing ample opportunities for leadership, extracurricular activities, and community service.
Albert Park College - Public High School Melbourne
+61 3 8695 9003
| Early Learning Centre | No |
| Primary School | No |
| High School | Yes |
| Course Range | Years 7 – 12 |
| Main Gender | Co-Education |
| Boarding School | No |
| Estimated No. of Students | 1,355 |
| School Fees | Low |
Our inner-Melbourne bayside community's children are held to extremely high standards in terms of academic success, skill acquisition, artistic creativity, athletic prowess, and personal development.
Our courses and programs have been designed to meet these needs, and they are taught by highly motivated and qualified instructors. They also take place in contemporary and architecturally distinct settings, and they make use of cutting-edge educational technologies.
Because of the school's success since its inception in 2010, there is a lot of enthusiasm for it not only in the surrounding neighborhood, but also beyond it. As a result, student spots are in high demand.
Melbourne Girls' College - Public High School Melbourne
+61 (03) 9428 8954
| Early Learning Centre | No |
| Primary School | No |
| High School | Yes |
| Course Range | Years 7 – 12 |
| Main Gender | All Girls |
| Boarding School | No |
| Estimated No. of Students | 1,462 |
| School Fees | Low
Link To School Fees Page: https://mgc.vic.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Parent-Payment-Policy-2022.pdf |
The learning environment at Melbourne Girls' College is supportive and productive. Our school is known as a center of excellence for girls-only education, so our pupils are surrounded by high-achieving, admirable female role models who reject stereotypes and have a firm confidence in the leadership potential of young people.
As the principal of Melbourne Girls' College, it is my unshakable commitment to make sure that every one of our students has the chance to achieve success in the fields in which they have decided to focus their passions. When children feel secure and connected at school as well as in their local and wider communities, it is easy to observe how much they have grown academically and personally. This development is visible when students maintain a positive attitude and are involved in their communities.
Excellence, teamwork, and respect for all people are the cornerstones of the educational philosophy that has placed Melbourne Girls' College at the forefront of educational innovation. Our team of educators is able to positively impact the lives of their children every day because they are devoted, compassionate, and highly skilled professionals. They push and challenge their students, encouraging them to take educated risks in their learning and to think creatively while focusing on finding solutions.
Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School - Public High School Melbourne
03 8644 8645
| Early Learning Centre | No |
| Primary School | No |
| High School | Yes |
| Course Range | Years 7 – 12 |
| Main Gender | Co-Education |
| Boarding School | No |
| Estimated No. of Students | 404 |
| School Fees | Low |
We are known for having some of the top options in the world for dance, music, visual arts, and drama. Due to the institution's distinct organizational structure and culture, secondary school students can concentrate on music, dance, visual art, and theater without risking their academic success. We have a diverse group of faculty members who are enthusiastic about arts education, as well as students who are dedicated to their work.
As you browse our website, the exceptional qualities of our educational institution will become clear to you. What is more difficult to transmit is the distinct culture that exists within our artistic community, as well as the joy that we experience on a daily basis. This is a more difficult concept to convey. Everyone in the VCA Secondary School family, including students, parents, and teachers, is valued. Our students are a close-knit group of teenagers who encourage and support one another. @VCASecondarySchool, our Instagram account, was created to reflect our daily lives.
Highvale Secondary College - Public High School Melbourne
9803 5143
| Early Learning Centre | No |
| Primary School | No |
| High School | Yes |
| Course Range | Years 7 – 12 |
| Main Gender | Co-Education |
| Boarding School | No |
| Estimated No. of Students | 1,100 |
| School Fees | Low |
Our school is a coeducational government school with approximately 1100 students. It is situated in a quiet neighborhood in a lush eastern suburb of Melbourne. Engagement, constructive connections, leadership, and community are just a few of the topics covered at Highvale Secondary College.
We are delighted to welcome you to Highvale Secondary College. Highvale is a government school that serves both genders and is located in the lush eastern metropolitan district of Melbourne. There are approximately 1100 students enrolled. The Highvale experience is centered on the concepts of Engagement, Positive Relationships, Leadership, and Community.
This website depicts various aspects of our educational institution in some detail. Observing a school in action is, however, the most reliable way to form an opinion about it. I encourage you to make an appointment, and I will gladly show you around once you arrive.
Canterbury Girls' Secondary College - Public High School Melbourne
+61 3 9830 5098
| Early Learning Centre | No |
| Primary School | No |
| High School | Yes |
| Course Range | Years 7 – 12 |
| Main Gender | All Girls |
| Boarding School | No |
| Estimated No. of Students | 1,038 |
| School Fees | Low |
The Canterbury Girls' Secondary College has successfully established and preserved a distinguished reputation as a premier school for young women. Students receive their education in a setting that actively encourages excellence in all spheres of effort and recognizes students' commitment to their studies and hard work.
The College places a high value on students putting forth their best effort, pushing themselves to new limits, and making the most of any and all changes that come their way. As a learning community, we have high expectations not only for the teaching staff but also for the students, and we provide a learning environment that encourages each student to achieve the best possible results.
The College offers its students the opportunity to develop academic, practical, artistic, and athletic skills through an extensive and vibrant curriculum that is open to all students. Furthermore, Canterbury Girls' Secondary College offers a comprehensive extracurricular program to its students. Community service programs, peer support, camps, and excursions are all part of this program, as are extracurricular activities like instrumental music, associated bands, ensembles, and choirs.
The institution is deeply committed to instilling in its students leadership qualities such as cooperation, tolerance, self-discipline, and concern for the welfare of others. The well-established House structure fosters the development of initiative, leadership abilities, teamwork, and active participation in extracurricular activities such as choral singing, debate, music, and dance.
Vermont Secondary College - Public High School Melbourne
+61 3 8872 6303
| Early Learning Centre | No |
| Primary School | No |
| High School | Yes |
| Course Range | Years 7 – 12 |
| Main Gender | Co-Education |
| Boarding School | No |
| Estimated No. of Students | 1,459 |
| School Fees | Low |
Vermont Secondary College is a large, single-campus school that accepts both males and females. This coeducational college preparatory school places a strong emphasis on curricular innovation, exceptional academic achievement, and a robust extracurricular program.
"Lift Up Thine Eyes," the Virginia State Campus motto, gives the college community a moral purpose, philosophical guidance, and academic foundation. The ideals of integrity, respect, and excellence serve as a reflection of the college's ethos. We strive to be progressive, forward-thinking, positive, and optimistic in all of our endeavors and interactions. We are constantly working to improve not only our own operating procedures, but also the outcomes of the education that our students receive.
Suzanne Cory High School - Public High School Melbourne
03 8734 2803
| Early Learning Centre | No |
| Primary School | No |
| High School | Yes |
| Course Range | Years 7 – 12 |
| Main Gender | Co-Education |
| Boarding School | No |
| Estimated No. of Students | 910 |
| School Fees | Low |
Suzanne Cory has been dedicated to providing students with exceptional potential with a rigorous and individualised educational experience that ultimately results in excellent accomplishments and opens doors to tertiary education since its inception in 2011. The school has 900 students enrolled from Years 9 to 12, with students coming from 84 different schools of origin. There is an equal representation of students from public and private schools.
The primary goal of the school's academic program is to provide intellectually and creatively gifted children with a demanding and rigorous academic curriculum, as well as a comprehensive extracurricular program designed to enhance the students' learning.
Research on children who had high levels of achievement and were recognized internationally as having best practices served as the foundation for the school's entire curriculum as well as the teaching and learning style used there.
East Doncaster Secondary College - Public High School Melbourne
+61 3 9842 2245
| Early Learning Centre | No |
| Primary School | No |
| High School | Yes |
| Course Range | Years 7 – 12 |
| Main Gender | Co-Education |
| Boarding School | No |
| Estimated No. of Students | 1,602 |
| School Fees | Low |
We are proud to be multicultural, with over 40 different nationalities represented, and our international student program is very successful. Fourty-one percent of our students are enrolled in English for Speakers of Other Languages (EAL) classes. Literacy has received a lot of attention recently because more than 70% of our students come from families where English is not their first language.
Our institution has a long history of exceeding academic expectations, and one of our primary missions is to foster and sustain a culture of reflective learning. While enrolled in our classes, we hope that children will feel a sense of accomplishment and progress in their academic, social, and emotional development. We are making it a priority to incorporate the concept of teaching the "whole child" as well as reflective practice into all aspects of school life.
Our data on the academic accomplishment of our students are quite robust and include a wide range of data sets and year levels. According to NAPLAN data, our pupils are among the top in both literacy and numeracy, and our VCE results have consistently been strong. These two factors are essential to our school.
Auburn High School - Public High School Melbourne
03 9822 3248
| Early Learning Centre | No |
| Primary School | No |
| High School | Yes |
| Course Range | Years 7 – 12 |
| Main Gender | Co-Education |
| Boarding School | No |
| Estimated No. of Students | 481 |
| School Fees | Low |
Auburn High School is a public secondary school that accepts students of both genders and places a high value on academic achievement. Our goal is to become the secondary school of choice for students, where high-quality instruction keeps students interested and motivates them to achieve their life goals. Auburn High School's facilities are among the best in the area, and the school's academic offerings are both challenging and forward-thinking.
We are committed to providing a rigorous educational experience for all of our students while also encouraging a desire for personal achievement, connection to the outside world, and a love of learning. Auburn High School was designated an Influence School by the Department of Education and Training in 2018 and 2019, based on the school's positive impact on student learning, growth, and achievement.
The institution offers a challenging academic program for all students in grades 7 through 12, with a special emphasis on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics for students in grades 10 through 12.
The outstanding facilities include cutting-edge classrooms, a VCE study center, an English Language Center, a modern Science Discovery Center, two indoor gymnasiums, an Art and Design Center, specialized labs, and expansive playing grounds. There are also a lecture hall, a drama studio, two indoor gyms, an art and design center, and specialized labs accessible.
Brighton Secondary College - Public High School Melbourne
+61 3 9592 7483
| Early Learning Centre | No |
| Primary School | No |
| High School | Yes |
| Course Range | Years 7 – 12 |
| Main Gender | Co-Education |
| Boarding School | No |
| Estimated No. of Students | 1,244 |
| School Fees | Low |
We are a public, coeducational secondary school founded in 1955. Our school currently has over 1200 students enrolled, ranging in age from 7th to 12th year, and we are proud of our long history of serving the Bayside community.
We are committed to providing young people with educational options that are comprehensive, thorough, and diverse. This is evident in the wide range of academic and artistic courses available to our students. Our facilities are first-rate, with a sports stadium, a hockey/tennis field, a library with a large book collection, a drama center, a performing arts center, a professions room, a media center, and several other rooms. Another one of our many impressive facilities is the da Vinci Center, which houses cutting-edge facilities in science, art, and technology.
Box Hill High School - Public High School Melbourne
03 9877 1178
| Early Learning Centre | No |
| Primary School | No |
| High School | Yes |
| Course Range | Years 7 – 12 |
| Main Gender | Co-Education |
| Boarding School | No |
| Estimated No. of Students | 1,317 |
| School Fees | Low
Link To School Fees Page: |
We put students at the center of our thriving and supportive learning community, and our excellent results are a direct result of our students' positive attitudes, parental and community support, and our commitment to providing high-quality instruction and learning opportunities.
Employees at Box Hill High School excel in their disciplines and are devoted to their work with enthusiasm and creativity. They are able to excite, engage, and inspire pupils both inside and outside of the classroom as a result.
As you navigate through our website, you will come across images of students from all grade levels engaging in activities that bring them the joy of learning and achieving, such as working together in the classroom, on the sports field, at camps, debating, school productions, and participating in international exchanges in China and Germany. This effort exemplifies the respect and friendliness that are so important in creating an encouraging environment that serves as the foundation for our culture of high standards and excellence.
McKinnon Secondary College - Public High School Melbourne
(03) 8520 9009
| Early Learning Centre | No |
| Primary School | No |
| High School | Yes |
| Course Range | Years 7 – 12 |
| Main Gender | Co-Education |
| Boarding School | No |
| Estimated No. of Students | 2,199 |
| School Fees | Low |
McKinnon Secondary College has a student body of around 2000 and caters to students from Year 7 all the way through to Year 12. The College was founded in 1954 in the McKinnon neighborhood of Melbourne's southeastern region. It has a prestigious reputation for academic achievement as well as instrumental musical performance. The college consistently has one of the highest academic standards among Victoria's non-selective public schools.
The number of students applying for admission to Year 7 has surpassed the number of available spots. Over the last few years, there have been 100 more applications for Year 7 than there have been available spaces. The majority of McKinnon students intend to continue their education after graduating from high school. Our instrumental music program attracts more than half of our student body.
Melbourne High School - Public High School Melbourne
+61 3 9826 0713
| Early Learning Centre | No |
| Primary School | No |
| High School | Yes |
| Course Range | Years 9 – 12 |
| Main Gender | All Boys |
| Boarding School | No |
| Estimated No. of Students | 1,365 |
| School Fees | Low |
Melbourne High School is a boys-only institution and the only selective state school in Victoria that admits boys only in Years 9-12. The School maintains its reputation as one of Australia's best educational institutions, producing some of the country's most brilliant thinkers and influential leaders.
The School selects its students based on their performance on a competitive examination as well as a small amount of discretion. In addition, there is a supplementary intake of students in Years 10, 11, and 12. Students at this school come from a diverse range of ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds, with the majority of them hailing from Melbourne's greater metropolitan area as well as locations in the state's interior. The School's success can be attributed in large part to the constant presence of a dynamic and diverse cultural mix.