Top 50 Secondary Schools in Victoria by VCE Results 2025

Victoria's top 50 secondary schools by VCE results in 2025 reveal a landscape dominated by independent schools, with 37 of the 50 positions held by non-government institutions. MacRobertson Girls High School leads the state with an AU Guide overall score of 99.3, a median VCE study score of 37, and 34.7% of students achieving study scores of 40 or above. All five of Victoria's selective-entry government schools appear in the top 27, while only two non-selective government schools — Balwyn High School (score 91.5) and Glen Waverley Secondary College (score 91.4) — crack the top 50. The suburb of Kew hosts six schools in this ranking, more than any other single suburb in Victoria.

Key Findings

• Selective schools dominate the top 5: MacRobertson Girls High (99.3), Nossal High (96.4), and Melbourne High (96.2) all rank in the top 5 by AU Guide overall score, demonstrating the academic strength of Victoria's selective-entry system.
• Independent schools hold 37 of 50 spots: The independent sector claims 74% of all top-50 positions, followed by Catholic schools with 6 entries and selective government schools with 5.
• Only 2 non-selective government schools qualify: Balwyn High School (#31, score 91.5) and Glen Waverley Secondary College (#32, score 91.4) are the only neighbourhood government schools to reach the top 50 — both located in Melbourne's eastern suburbs with significant Chinese-Australian communities (32% and 38% respectively, per ABS Census 2021).
• Kew is Victoria's top school suburb: With 6 schools in the top 50 — Methodist Ladies' College, Ruyton Girls' School, Trinity Grammar School Kew, Genazzano FCJ College, Carey Baptist Grammar School, and Xavier College — Kew leads all Victorian suburbs for school density in this ranking.
• Median study scores range from 33 to 37: The statewide median VCE study score is 30 (source: VCAA). Every school in this top 50 sits at least 3 points above the state average, with the top performers reaching 37.

Data Overview

The following table presents all 50 schools ranked by the AU Guide overall score, which combines median VCE study score, the percentage of students scoring 40 or above, and additional factors including school size and consistency. Data is sourced from the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) 2025 VCE results and the AU Guide scoring methodology. For a full explanation of how schools are scored, visit the AU Guide VIC school rankings page.

Source: VCAA 2025 VCE results, AU Guide overall score methodology. Median score refers to VCE study score (state median: 30). 40+% refers to the proportion of study scores at or above 40 out of 50.

In-Depth Analysis

Sector Breakdown: Independent Schools Dominate

The sector distribution among Victoria's top 50 VCE schools reveals a clear pattern. Independent schools account for 37 entries (74%), Catholic schools hold 6 spots (12%), selective government schools take 5 positions (10%), and non-selective government schools manage just 2 entries (4%). This distribution is notable given that government schools educate the majority of Victorian secondary students (source: Victorian Department of Education).

Among the independent schools, median VCE study scores range from 33 (Carey Baptist Grammar School, Wesley College) to 37 (Ballarat Clarendon College). Catholic schools in the top 50 also perform strongly, with Loreto Mandeville Hall achieving a median study score of 36 and 24.7% of students scoring 40+.

Selective Schools: Punching Above Their Weight

Victoria operates five selective-entry government schools, and all five appear in this top 50. MacRobertson Girls High School (score 99.3) and Nossal High School (score 96.4) sit in the top 4, competing directly with the state's most prestigious independent schools. The selective schools achieve this with considerably smaller enrolments — MacRobertson has 1,196 students and Nossal has 826, compared to Haileybury College's 4,849 (source: VCAA 2025).

Suzanne Cory High School in Werribee is the only selective school located in Melbourne's western suburbs, ranked #27 with a score of 91.9 and a median study score of 35. It also has the lowest Chinese-Australian student percentage (3%) among the selective schools, compared to 31% at MacRobertson (source: ABS Census 2021).

Girls' Schools: Strong Representation

Girls-only schools feature prominently, with 18 of the 50 schools offering single-sex education for girls. This includes the #1-ranked MacRobertson Girls High School, as well as established names such as Presbyterian Ladies' College (score 95.9), Camberwell Girls Grammar School (score 95.5), and Melbourne Girls Grammar (score 94.7). Boys-only schools account for 8 entries, led by Melbourne Grammar School (score 97.1) and Melbourne High School (score 96.2). Co-educational schools hold the remaining 24 spots.

Source: AU Guide analysis of VCAA 2025 data. Average scores calculated from the 50 schools listed above.

School Size: Does It Matter?

School size varies significantly across the top 50, from 503 students at Fintona Girls' School to 4,849 at Haileybury College. Among the top 10, enrolments range from 654 (John Monash Science School) to 4,849 (Haileybury). Smaller schools (under 1,000 students) tend to have higher 40+% rates: Fintona (503 students, 26.8% scoring 40+), Huntingtower (752 students, 27.7%), and Camberwell Girls Grammar (761 students, 27.5%). However, large schools can also perform exceptionally well — Haileybury College (Girls) ranks #3 overall despite its substantial size.

The 40+ Percentage Standouts

The percentage of students scoring 40 or above on VCE study scores is a key indicator of a school's ability to produce top-tier results. Ballarat Clarendon College leads this metric at 35.0%, followed by MacRobertson Girls High School (34.7%), Nossal High School (32.4%), and Haileybury College Girls (31.2%). These four schools are the only ones in the top 50 where more than 30% of students achieve study scores of 40+ — well above the state average of approximately 9% (source: VCAA). Notably, Ballarat Clarendon College leads in raw 40+% yet ranks #34 overall, as the AU Guide score incorporates additional factors beyond raw VCE performance.

Regional Comparison

Melbourne's eastern suburbs overwhelmingly dominate this ranking. The following table shows how top-50 schools are distributed across key suburbs. Schools outside metropolitan Melbourne are rare, with Ballarat Clarendon College the only regional entry.

Source: AU Guide analysis, 2025. Suburbs with 2+ schools in the top 50 are shown.

The concentration in inner-eastern and south-eastern Melbourne is striking. Kew alone hosts 6 of the top 50 schools, and when combined with neighbouring Hawthorn, Canterbury, and Camberwell, this cluster of eastern suburbs accounts for 13 schools — more than a quarter of the entire list. Melbourne's western suburbs are represented only by Suzanne Cory High School in Werribee (a selective school) and Penleigh & Essendon Grammar in Keilor East. Northern suburbs are represented by Ivanhoe's two grammar schools.

Chinese-Australian Community Connection

Several of Victoria's top schools are located in suburbs with significant Chinese-Australian populations (source: ABS Census 2021). Glen Waverley Secondary College, ranked #32, has the highest Chinese-Australian student proportion at 38%, located in Glen Waverley. Fintona Girls' School follows at 34%, situated in Balwyn. Balwyn High School (32%), MacRobertson Girls High School (31%), Melbourne Grammar School (31%), and Wesley College (31%) also have substantial Chinese-Australian student bodies. For families seeking suburbs with strong Chinese communities and top schools, Glen Waverley, Balwyn, Balwyn North, and Mount Waverley are among the most popular choices.

What This Means for Families

For Families Considering Selective Schools

Victoria's five selective-entry schools offer a high-performing public school alternative at no tuition cost. All five appear in the top 27, with MacRobertson and Nossal in the top 4. However, entry is competitive — students must sit a selective-entry exam, and places are limited (e.g., MacRobertson enrols 1,196 students across Years 9-12). Families in Melbourne's west should note that Suzanne Cory High School in Werribee provides a selective option without the commute to the inner east.

For Families Considering Government Schools

If selective entry is not an option, Balwyn High School and Glen Waverley Secondary College represent the two strongest non-selective government schools in Victoria. Both have AU Guide scores above 91, both are co-educational, and both are located in suburbs with well-established Chinese-Australian communities. However, these schools operate within catchment zones, so families would need to live within the school's designated zone to guarantee enrolment. Explore suburb profiles on AU Guide's Balwyn North page or the Glen Waverley suburb page for property and community data.

For Families Considering Independent Schools

With 37 independent schools in the top 50, there is considerable variety in terms of size, location, fees, and educational philosophy. Smaller schools like Fintona Girls' School (503 students) and Huntingtower School (752 students) offer intimate learning environments and strong 40+% rates. Larger schools like Haileybury College (4,849 students) and Wesley College (3,207 students) provide broader extracurricular options. The eastern suburbs cluster (Kew, Canterbury, Hawthorn, Camberwell) gives families the option to consider multiple top-ranked schools within a small geographic area.

Regional Families

Ballarat Clarendon College stands out as the sole regional school in the top 50. With a median study score of 37 and 35.0% of students scoring 40+ — the highest raw academic metrics in the entire list — it demonstrates that regional Victoria can match or exceed metropolitan schools on pure VCE performance. However, its overall AU Guide score of 91.0 reflects the holistic nature of the scoring system, which also considers other factors.

FAQ

What does the AU Guide overall score mean?

The AU Guide overall score is a composite metric that ranks VIC secondary schools on a scale up to 100. It incorporates VCE median study scores, the percentage of students achieving scores of 40 or above, and additional factors. A higher score indicates stronger overall academic performance. For a detailed explanation, visit the AU Guide VIC school rankings page.

How are selective-entry schools different from other government schools?

Victoria's selective-entry government schools — MacRobertson Girls High, Melbourne High, Nossal High, John Monash Science School, and Suzanne Cory High — admit students based on a competitive entrance exam rather than residential catchment. They are publicly funded with no tuition fees, but entry is limited. All five appear in the top 27 of this ranking, with median VCE study scores of 35-37 compared to the state average of 30 (source: VCAA 2025).

Why do some schools have high raw VCE scores but a lower overall ranking?

The AU Guide overall score considers multiple factors, not just median VCE study score or 40+%. For example, Ballarat Clarendon College has the highest 40+% (35.0%) and ties for the highest median score (37) in the top 50, yet it ranks #34 overall. This is because the overall score also weighs additional metrics to provide a more holistic assessment of school performance.

Are there any top-performing government schools outside the selective system?

Yes — Balwyn High School (#31, score 91.5) and Glen Waverley Secondary College (#32, score 91.4) are the two non-selective government schools in the top 50. Both are co-educational, have more than 2,200 students, and are located in Melbourne's eastern suburbs. Their inclusion demonstrates that neighbourhood government schools can compete with selective and independent schools, though they are the exception rather than the rule at this level.

Which suburbs have the most top-50 schools?

Kew leads with 6 schools in the top 50: Methodist Ladies' College, Ruyton Girls' School, Trinity Grammar School, Genazzano FCJ College, Carey Baptist Grammar School, and Xavier College. Canterbury and Toorak each have 3, while Melbourne CBD, South Yarra, Keysborough, Burwood, Hawthorn, Ivanhoe, Glen Iris, Brighton, Mentone, Armadale, and Wantirna South each have 2. The eastern suburbs corridor from Kew to Canterbury to Glen Waverley contains the densest concentration of top schools.

How do Victorian school rankings compare to NSW?

Victoria uses the VCE (Victorian Certificate of Education) with study scores out of 50, while NSW uses the HSC (Higher School Certificate). The AU Guide scoring methodology is adapted for each state's system, so direct score comparisons between VIC and NSW schools are not meaningful. However, families can use AU Guide VIC rankings and AU Guide NSW rankings independently to compare schools within each state.

Is a higher Chinese-Australian student percentage associated with better school performance?

Among the top 50, schools with higher Chinese-Australian student percentages include Glen Waverley Secondary College (38%), Fintona Girls' School (34%), Balwyn High School (32%), and MacRobertson Girls High School (31%) — all strong performers. However, high-performing schools like Melbourne Girls Grammar (10%), Scotch College (9%), and Ivanhoe Grammar (9%) have lower percentages. Chinese-Australian student representation is one demographic characteristic rather than a causal factor in school performance (source: ABS Census 2021).

Data Sources

• Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) — 2025 VCE study scores, median scores, and 40+% data
• Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) — Census 2021 data for Chinese-Australian population percentages
• AU Guide VIC School Rankings — Overall score methodology and school profiles
• Victorian Department of Education — School enrolment data and sector information