St Columba's College

St Columba's College is a private girls' school located in Essendon, an inner suburb of Melbourne. The school offers education from Years 7 to 12 and has approximately 1,000 students. According to 2025 VCAA data, the school achieved a median study score of 32, with 8.40% of students scoring 40 or above. It ranks within the top 100 Victorian private schools for academic performance according to AU Guide rankings.

The school is situated in Essendon, which has a good community environment. Based on the 2021 ABS Census data, the area has a total population of 21,240, including 930 Chinese residents, representing 4.40% of the population - a relatively low proportion. The main ethnic groups include British (26.60%), Australian (23.68%), Italian (16.31%), Irish (13.63%), and Scottish (8.24%). In terms of safety, according to September 2025 Crime Statistics Agency data, Essendon has a crime rate of 5,551 per 100,000 people, which is only 0.82 times the Victorian average (6,810), making it a safe area.

The local real estate market is relatively stable. According to Data Vic's first quarter 2025 data, the median house price is approximately $1.5 million, while the median apartment price is around $600,000. In the rental market, 3-bedroom and 2-bedroom houses rent for approximately $660 and $600 per week respectively, while 3-bedroom and 2-bedroom apartments rent for around $670 and $520 per week respectively. As a private school, tuition fees are high, and popular schools typically require families to join waiting lists several years in advance. Families interested in the school are advised to contact the school early to understand the application process. Taking into consideration factors such as the Chinese population proportion and community safety, AU Guide rates this school 80.