Northern College of the Arts and Technology

Northern College of the Arts and Technology is a public co-educational secondary school located in Preston, in Melbourne's northern suburbs. The school offers education for Years 10-12 and has approximately 300 students. As a public school, it operates on a catchment area basis, with specific zone boundaries available through findmyschool.vic.gov.au.

In terms of academic performance, according to 2025 VCAA data, the school has a median study score of 29, with 3.10% of students achieving scores above 40. It ranks within the top 100 Victorian public schools for academic performance according to AU Guide. Taking into account various factors including Chinese population proportion and community safety, AU Guide gives the school an overall rating of 49.10 points.

The school is located in Preston, an area with diverse demographics. Based on 2021 ABS census data, the region has a total population of 33,790 people, including 2,384 Chinese residents representing 7.10% of the population, which is relatively low. The main ethnic groups include British (23.95%), Australian (21.49%), Italian (12.71%), Irish (11.00%), and Greek (8.95%).

It's important to note that according to September 2025 Crime Statistics Agency data, Preston has a crime rate of 15,951 per 100,000 people, which is 2.34 times the Victorian average (6,810). Parents are advised to visit and assess the specific conditions firsthand.

Regarding housing costs, according to Data Vic's first quarter 2025 data, Preston's median house price is approximately $1.2 million, with apartments at around $600,000. In the rental market, 3-bedroom and 2-bedroom houses