Melbourne Southeast Best School Zone Ranking 2025

Melbourne's southeast corridor is home to some of Victoria's highest-performing schools, with four institutions scoring above 95 on the AU Guide scoring system. Haileybury College leads with a 97.0 overall score and a median VCE study score of 36, while Glen Waverley Secondary College — a government school — achieves an impressive 91.4. Property prices across these school zones range from $860K in Springvale to $1.875M in McKinnon, and suburbs like Glen Waverley have a Chinese population share of 38.0%, nearly nine times the Melbourne average of 4.3%.

This data report ranks the top school zones in Melbourne's southeast by VCE academic performance, property affordability, safety, and demographic profile. Whether you're weighing up a move to Glen Waverley or considering the value proposition of Keysborough, the data below will help you make an informed decision.

Key Findings

• Four schools score 95+ on the AU Guide scale: Haileybury College (97.0), Huntingtower School (95.9), John Monash Science School (95.6), and Haileybury Boys (95.2).
• Government schools hold their own: Glen Waverley Secondary College (91.4) and McKinnon Secondary College (87.4) rank among the top 7, proving that strong public education exists in the southeast.
• Glen Waverley is the education hub: With four ranked schools and 38.0% Chinese population, it is the most education-focused suburb in the region — but houses cost $1.633M.
• Keysborough offers the best value: Access to the top-ranked Haileybury College (97.0) with a median house price of just $933K — 43% below Glen Waverley.
• Safety varies widely: McKinnon's crime rate of 3,039 per 100K is less than half the VIC average of 6,810, while Springvale's rate of 11,581 is nearly double.
• Chinese community presence correlates with school demand: The five suburbs with the highest Chinese population shares (Glen Waverley 38.0%, Mount Waverley 26.7%, Springvale 22.0%, Clayton South 20.1%, Keysborough 19.0%) all sit within catchments of schools scoring 76+.

Top 12 Schools: Complete Performance Table

The following table ranks every secondary school in Melbourne's southeast that achieved an AU Guide overall score of 76 or above. Scores are calculated from 2025 VCE results including median study score, percentage of students achieving 40+, and enrolment stability.

Reading this table: The AU Guide Score is a composite metric based on 2025 VCE data. A score above 90 places a school in the top tier statewide. The median study score represents the middle student's performance (out of 50), while the 40+ percentage shows what proportion of students achieved exceptional results. For the full methodology, see the AU Guide VCE scoring method.

Education Analysis: Three Tiers of School Quality

Tier 1: Elite Performance (Score 95+)

Four schools form the top tier, all achieving an AU Guide score of 95 or above. Haileybury College in Keysborough leads the entire southeast with a score of 97.0, driven by a median study score of 36 and an outstanding 31.2% of students achieving 40+. With 4,849 students across its campuses, Haileybury is also one of the largest schools on this list, demonstrating that scale does not come at the expense of quality.

Huntingtower School in Mount Waverley follows closely at 95.9, with a nearly identical median of 36 and 27.7% of students in the 40+ bracket. As a smaller school with 752 students, Huntingtower offers a more intimate learning environment while maintaining elite academic standards.

John Monash Science School, Victoria's only specialist STEM selective school, scores 95.6. Located in Clayton adjacent to Monash University, it draws high-achieving students from across Melbourne. Its selective entry model — accepting students from Year 10 — makes it fundamentally different from the other schools on this list.

Tier 2: High Achievers (Score 84-92)

The middle tier contains five schools scoring between 84.3 and 91.4. Glen Waverley Secondary College is the standout at 91.4, making it the highest-ranked government school in the southeast. With 2,283 students and a median study score of 33, GWSC consistently delivers results that rival independent schools — without the tuition fees.

Mazenod College in Mulgrave (88.0) is the only Catholic boys' school in the top 12, achieving a 15.3% rate of 40+ scores. McKinnon Secondary College (87.4) is another strong government option, notable for its zone in one of Melbourne's safest suburbs. Avila College (86.6), a Catholic girls' school in Mount Waverley, rounds out the single-gender options, while Wesley College Glen Waverley (84.3) provides an independent co-ed alternative.

Tier 3: Solid Performers (Score 76-81)

Three government schools make up the third tier. Highvale Secondary College (80.8), Mount Waverley Secondary College (76.3), and Brentwood Secondary College (76.2) all deliver results well above the state median. For families who want access to a decent public school without paying premium property prices, these suburbs offer genuine value.

School Zone Suburb Rankings: Property, Safety, and Demographics

Academic results are only part of the picture. The table below compares the key suburbs where these schools are located, covering property prices, crime rates, Chinese community presence, and transport access.

In-Depth Analysis: Education, Property, and Community

Property Prices and School Quality

There is a clear relationship between school zone desirability and property prices in Melbourne's southeast, but it is not perfectly linear. McKinnon commands the highest house prices at $1.875M despite its top school (McKinnon Secondary College) scoring 87.4 — lower than several cheaper suburbs. This reflects McKinnon's additional appeal: an exceptionally low crime rate of 3,039 per 100K, train station access, and proximity to the bay.

The most interesting value proposition belongs to Keysborough. At $933K for a median house — well below the Melbourne median of approximately $1.05M — it provides access to the region's top-ranked school, Haileybury College (97.0). The trade-off is no train station and a slightly above-average crime rate of 4,930 per 100K, though this is still below the VIC average of 6,810.

Glen Waverley sits at $1.633M — a premium, but one that buys access to four ranked schools including the government-run GWSC (91.4). For families who want strong public school options without private school fees, Glen Waverley represents the southeast's most concentrated education offering.

At the affordable end, Springvale ($860K) provides the cheapest entry point with train access and a 22.0% Chinese community. However, its crime rate of 11,581 per 100K — 70% above the VIC average — is the highest among the suburbs in this report.

Government vs Independent vs Catholic

Of the 12 ranked schools, five are government, four are independent, and three are Catholic. The independent sector dominates the top tier (3 of 4 schools scoring 95+), but government schools are strongly represented in the middle tier. Glen Waverley Secondary College's score of 91.4 places it ahead of several fee-paying schools, making it arguably the best-value school in the entire southeast.

For families considering sector options:

• Government (free): GWSC (91.4), McKinnon SC (87.4), Highvale SC (80.8), Mt Waverley SC (76.3), Brentwood SC (76.2) — five options across three suburbs
• Independent (fees apply): Haileybury (97.0/95.2), Huntingtower (95.9), Wesley (84.3) — top-tier results but significant tuition costs
• Catholic (moderate fees): Mazenod (88.0), Avila (86.6) — strong results for boys and girls respectively, in Mulgrave and Mount Waverley

Chinese Community and Demographics

Melbourne's southeast has one of the highest concentrations of Chinese-Australian residents in the country. The Melbourne average Chinese population share is approximately 4.3%, but every suburb in this report exceeds that figure significantly.

Glen Waverley leads at 38.0% (approximately 16,204 residents of Chinese ancestry from a total population of 42,642), making it the de facto centre of Chinese community life in Melbourne's southeast. Mount Waverley follows at 26.7% (approximately 9,436 residents), and Springvale at 22.0% (approximately 4,878 residents).

This concentration brings practical benefits for Chinese-Australian families: Chinese supermarkets, restaurants, language schools, and community organisations are readily accessible. For families recently arrived from China or those who want their children to maintain Chinese language and cultural connections, the southeast offers an established support network that few other Melbourne corridors can match.

Safety and Crime

Crime rates vary substantially across the southeast. Using the VIC state average of 6,810 incidents per 100,000 residents as a benchmark:

• Well below average: McKinnon (3,039), Bentleigh East (3,608), Bentleigh (4,280), Mount Waverley (4,714)
• Near average: Keysborough (4,930), Carnegie (5,109), Glen Waverley (5,232)
• Above average: Mulgrave (7,225), Clayton South (7,907)
• Well above average: Springvale (11,581)

McKinnon stands out as the safest suburb in this study, with a crime rate less than half the state average. This contributes to its premium house prices despite McKinnon Secondary College scoring lower than schools in more affordable suburbs.

Transport and Connectivity

Seven of the ten suburbs have their own train station, providing direct rail access to Melbourne's CBD. Glen Waverley is on the Glen Waverley line terminus (26-minute drive to CBD), while McKinnon, Carnegie, and Bentleigh sit on the Frankston line. Clayton South and Springvale are served by the Cranbourne/Pakenham line.

Keysborough, Mulgrave, and Bentleigh East lack train stations, relying on bus connections. For Keysborough in particular, this is a meaningful trade-off against its property value advantage.

What This Means for Families

Best Overall Package

Glen Waverley offers the most comprehensive school zone package: four ranked schools (including a 91.4-scoring government school), a 38% Chinese community, train access, and a crime rate below the state average. The price — $1.633M for a median house — reflects this. Families who prioritise variety of school choice and established Chinese community infrastructure will find it hard to beat.

Best Value for Education

Keysborough is the clear winner for families who want access to elite education without paying premium property prices. At $933K, it provides access to the region's top school (Haileybury, 97.0) for 43% less than Glen Waverley. The trade-offs are no train station and the cost of private school tuition.

Best for Safety-Conscious Families

McKinnon combines a strong government school (87.4), the lowest crime rate in the study (3,039 per 100K), and train access. At $1.875M, it is the most expensive suburb in this report, but families who place a high value on neighbourhood safety may consider it worthwhile.

Best Budget Entry Point

For families with a tighter budget, Springvale ($860K) and Keysborough ($933K) are the only suburbs below the Melbourne median house price. Springvale adds train access and a 22% Chinese community but carries a higher crime rate. Clayton South ($986K) provides proximity to John Monash Science School and a train station, though it also has an above-average crime rate of 7,907.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the highest-ranked school in Melbourne's southeast?

Haileybury College in Keysborough holds the top position with an AU Guide score of 97.0. It achieved a median VCE study score of 36 and 31.2% of students scored 40 or above in the 2025 VCE.

What is the best government school in Melbourne's southeast?

Glen Waverley Secondary College is the highest-ranked government school with an AU Guide score of 91.4, a median study score of 33, and 14.7% of students achieving 40+. It is a co-educational school serving Year 7 to 12 with 2,283 students.

How much does it cost to live in a top school zone in the southeast?

Median house prices in school zone suburbs range from $860K in Springvale to $1.875M in McKinnon. The most affordable suburb with access to a 95+ scoring school is Keysborough at $933K (near Haileybury College, 97.0). Glen Waverley, with its concentration of four ranked schools, has a median house price of $1.633M.

Is Glen Waverley worth the premium for families?

Glen Waverley offers four ranked schools — including GWSC (91.4, free government), Wesley College (84.3, independent), Highvale SC (80.8, government), and Brentwood SC (76.2, government) — plus a 38% Chinese community, train access, and a crime rate of 5,232 per 100K (below the VIC average of 6,810). Whether the $1.633M median house price represents value depends on how much weight a family places on school diversity and community infrastructure.

Which suburbs have the lowest crime rates?

Among the school zone suburbs in this report, McKinnon has the lowest crime rate at 3,039 per 100,000 residents — less than half the VIC state average of 6,810. Bentleigh East (3,608), Bentleigh (4,280), and Mount Waverley (4,714) also sit well below the state average.

Are there selective schools in Melbourne's southeast?

John Monash Science School in Clayton is Victoria's only specialist STEM selective school, scoring 95.6. It accepts students from Year 10 onwards through a competitive entry process. Unlike zone-based government schools, John Monash draws students from across Melbourne, so living in Clayton is not a requirement for entry — though proximity can be practical.

What role does the Chinese community play in southeast school zones?

The southeast has one of Australia's highest concentrations of Chinese-Australian residents. Glen Waverley (38.0%), Mount Waverley (26.7%), and Springvale (22.0%) all have Chinese population shares well above Melbourne's average of approximately 4.3%. This concentration supports Chinese-language services, cultural organisations, and after-school tutoring centres, which many families consider an important factor in school zone selection. For a full list, see the AU Guide VIC school rankings.

Data Sources

• AU Guide VCE Scoring Methodology — Overall score calculation based on 2025 VCE data
• Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Census 2021 — Population, Chinese ancestry, and demographic data
• Crime Statistics Agency Victoria — Crime rate per 100,000 residents
• Valuer-General Victoria — Median house and unit prices
• AU Guide VIC School Rankings — Complete school performance data