Best High Schools in Melbourne 2026: Ranked by VCE Data

If you are comparing the best high schools in Melbourne, you are not alone. We move families across Melbourne every week, and school zones are one of the most common reasons a household relocates. Melbourne earns its reputation: strong VCE results, experienced teachers, and a real focus on wellbeing. But “best” looks different for every family.

This 2026 guide ranks Melbourne’s leading high schools using verified VCE 2025 results: the median study score and the share of scores at 40 or above, plus current fees, zones and selective-entry facts. We interpret the numbers so you can weigh academics against culture, commute and cost.

If you are hiring removalists in Melbourne for a school-zone move, the practical details matter as much as the league tables. We flag the ones that catch families out: proof-of-residence rules for public zones, the Year 8 exam timeline for selective schools, and the extra levies that sit on top of headline private-school fees. Our moving to Melbourne guide walks through the rest.

Best high schools in Melbourne: why the city ranks among Australia’s best

We work with local families constantly, moving households right across Victoria, and the reason Melbourne’s high schools rank so highly is consistency. The leading schools pair strong VCE and IB results with quality teaching, broad extracurricular programs and real student support. Students here are not just passing exams. They are leaving school as confident, well-rounded young adults.

The state-level data backs the reputation. In NAPLAN 2025, Victorian students ranked first or second in 18 of 20 measures, with primary students first or second in all 10 domains, on a record 96.6% participation rate. About 70% sat in the “strong” or “exceeding” bands. This is why Victoria is called the “Education State”.

That strength shows up at Year 12. The table below is the short version of what parents search for: the median study score and the 40+ rate for the schools leading Melbourne in 2025. The median study score is the middle result out of 50, so a median of 37 means half the cohort scored above 37. If you are weighing where to settle, our guide to the best suburbs in Melbourne pairs well with these school zones.

Median VCE study score and share of scores of 40 or above, VCE 2025. Sources: Better Education (VCE 2025) and Matrix Education, cross-checked. Rankings shift year to year, so treat one point of median as noise.

What makes the best high school in Melbourne?

The high schools that shine share a few traits, even though every family defines “best” differently. The first is academic depth: strong VCE or International Baccalaureate results year after year, driven by high expectations and experienced teachers, not one lucky cohort.

Exam scores are not the whole story. The best schools invest in extracurricular breadth, from sport and music to clubs and community service, and in facilities like modern science labs and arts studios. Just as importantly, they prioritise wellbeing: strong pastoral care and personal-development programs so students feel safe and supported. Once a shortlist is set, most families start budgeting the move itself, where our breakdown of removalist costs in Melbourne helps.

Here is how the criteria families weigh actually differ across the three school types. Use it to decide which trade-off fits your child before you compare individual schools. It is the same habit we suggest when families choose a removalist: line the options up on the factors that matter, then decide.

General comparison for Melbourne, 2026. Fees per compareprivateschools.com.au; entry rules per vic.gov.au. Individual schools vary.

Best high schools in Melbourne: top 6 for 2026 (rankings overview)

Using VCE 2025 results, six Melbourne schools stand out across the selective and private sectors. “Best” means more than test scores, so treat exact rank as noise that moves each year. For context, the top school statewide, Ballarat Clarendon College, sits outside Melbourne in Ballarat, with a median study score of 37, a 35% rate at 40+ and a 2025 median ATAR of 90.3.

Melbourne High School (South Yarra): selective public school

Melbourne High is an all-boys selective state school (Years 9 to 12) in South Yarra. In 2025 it posted a median study score of 36 with 29.9% of scores at 40+. It is also the hardest to enter: roughly 1,400 applications chase about 336 places, near a 24% success rate. Entry is via the Year 8 exam, no zone.

The Mac.Robertson Girls’ High School (Melbourne CBD): selective public school

The Mac.Robertson Girls’ High School is a selective state school for girls (Years 9 to 12) near the CBD. It led Melbourne’s government schools in 2025 with a median study score of 37 and 34.7% of scores at 40+, a standout in girls’ education, especially STEM. Admission is through the Year 8 entrance exam.

Nossal High School (Berwick): selective public school

Nossal High School in Berwick is a co-educational selective-entry government school, founded in 2010. Despite being the newest of the four, it matched the top median study score of 37 in 2025, with 32.4% of scores at 40+. It gives high achievers in the south-east a selective option without the CBD commute.

Haileybury College (multiple campuses): independent private school

Haileybury College is a leading independent school with several Melbourne campuses, including a city campus. It is co-educational and known for its parallel model and consistently strong results: a median study score of 35 and 26.5% of scores at 40+ in 2025. Year 12 fees are $41,685 for 2026, though scholarships are offered.

Melbourne Grammar School (South Yarra): independent private school

Melbourne Grammar is one of Melbourne’s oldest and most prestigious boys’ schools, in South Yarra. In 2025 it recorded a median study score of 36 with 29.3% of scores at 40+, while also emphasising character, sport and the arts. Year 12 fees are $46,230 for 2026, and facilities and pastoral care are extensive.

Melbourne Girls’ Grammar School (South Yarra): independent private school

Melbourne Girls’ Grammar is a renowned independent girls’ school in South Yarra, noted for high standards and a holistic approach. It posted a median study score of 36 in 2025 with 30.4% of scores at 40+, one of the strongest private-school results in the city, plus a clear focus on wellbeing. Substantial fees, with some scholarships available.

Best public high schools in Melbourne (non-selective, zoned)

Some of Melbourne’s strongest schools are open-entry public high schools. These government schools run no entrance exam. Enrolment is based on your address inside the school zone. Yet they still nurture high achievement. We regularly move families into these catchments, which tells you how respected the schools are.

Take Balwyn High School in Balwyn, Glen Waverley Secondary College and McKinnon Secondary College. All three posted a median VCE study score of 33 in 2025, well above the mid-range for the state, and all are known for broad co-curricular programs. The numbers below show the top zoned performers and their 40+ rates.

VCE 2025 median study score and 40+ rate. Source: Better Education (VCE 2025), cross-checked with Matrix Education. Zone boundaries change yearly: confirm on findmyschool.vic.gov.au.

One practical warning from moving these families: a strong zone lifts house prices and rents across Melbourne, and schools verify permanent residence. If your child lives inside the zone, the school must offer a place. Out-of-zone applicants are only considered where spare places exist, so an in-zone address is the reliable route.

Best private high schools in Melbourne: leading independent schools

Melbourne’s leading private high schools pair strong VCE results with the widest range of opportunities: modern science labs, theatres and sports complexes. Those advantages come with high tuition, though many schools offer scholarships. In 2026, Year 12 fees across 25 Melbourne private schools range from $19,095 to $47,877, with a median of $39,810.

Schools like Melbourne Grammar and Presbyterian Ladies’ College (PLC) have long histories of excellence, and many cluster in the most affluent suburbs in Melbourne. Haileybury’s multi-campus model stands out for blending strong outcomes with breadth. The table pairs 2025 results with 2026 Year 12 fees so you can see cost against outcome in one view.

VCE 2025 results per Better Education, cross-checked with Matrix Education. Year 12 tuition for 2026 per compareprivateschools.com.au (headline tuition, before levies of roughly 8 to 15%). Confirm fees directly with each school.

Note the pattern: a higher fee does not guarantee a higher median. Scotch College charges the most on this list yet sits below Haileybury and Melbourne Grammar on the 2025 median. Fees buy facilities, breadth and networks. They do not buy a fixed VCE result, so read cost and outcome as two separate columns. If a change of school also means a bigger home, our breakdown of the cost to move a 3-bedroom house gives a realistic figure.

Selective entry: Melbourne’s elite public high schools

These four government schools require a competitive entrance exam, usually sat in Year 8, rather than zoning. They deliver an accelerated curriculum and driven peers, a high-powered public-school setting without private-school fees. Melbourne High (boys) and Mac.Rob (girls) are joined by co-educational Suzanne Cory High School in Werribee and Nossal in Berwick.

The process is run by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) for Year 9 entry. Roughly 1,000 places are offered each year across the four schools, and demand is intense. The timeline below is the version families relocating to Melbourne most often ask us about, and it slots neatly into our moving house checklist.

Indicative timeline based on the 2027-entry round (exam sat 20 June 2026, offers from August 2026). Source: vic.gov.au and ACER. Confirm exact dates each year with ACER.

How to choose the best high school in Melbourne for your child

Melbourne offers public, private, selective-entry and special-focus high schools. Choosing the right one is a personal decision that goes beyond league tables. Families weigh academic results, extracurricular options, culture, and practical factors like location and fees. The best school fits your child’s needs and your family’s situation. Use these criteria as a checklist:

• Academic track record: look at three years of VCE trends, not one headline. A steady median study score matters more than a single dux.
• Curriculum and pathways: confirm the school offers VCE, and IB or VCE Vocational if relevant, plus subjects that match your child’s interests.
• Extracurricular and facilities: check the sport, music, arts and STEM programs, and visit on an open day to see labs, libraries and grounds.
• Culture and wellbeing: single-sex or co-ed, discipline, pastoral care and counselling support that suit your child’s personality.
• Location and cost: commute time, whether you fall in the zone, and total cost including levies, uniforms and transport.

Academic performance and curriculum options (VCE, IB and pathways)

Academic data like VCE and NAPLAN scores gauge a school’s track record. Look at trends on the My School website or in school reports rather than fixating on one ranking. Results vary each year: the difference between a median of 33 and 34 is small, while the gap between 33 and 37 is meaningful.

Also weigh curriculum and pathways. Most Melbourne high schools teach the VCE, and some offer the International Baccalaureate or VCE Vocational Major. Check the school provides subjects matching your child’s interests, and note whether extension or acceleration is available for high achievers.

Extracurricular opportunities and school facilities

Extracurricular activities enrich life outside the classroom. Melbourne high schools typically offer sport teams, music ensembles, drama productions and science clubs. If your child has a passion, make sure the school runs strong programs and support in that area, since breadth is where many private schools justify their fees.

Facilities make a real difference too. Consider the quality of libraries, science labs, sports grounds and arts spaces. Visit on open days to see them firsthand. Modern, well-equipped spaces help students explore and thrive, and they are one clear area where the top independent schools tend to lead.

School culture, values and student wellbeing

Every school has a distinct culture. Some Melbourne schools are highly academic and competitive, while others emphasise wellbeing, community or faith. Consider whether the ethos, the approach to discipline and uniform, and a single-sex or co-ed setting match your family’s values and your child’s personality.

A supportive culture is crucial for wellbeing. Look for an inclusive environment: how teachers interact with students, anti-bullying policies, and support services like counsellors. Talk with current families or attend open days to sense the atmosphere before you commit to a school or a suburb. Once you do, our change of address checklist for Victoria keeps the paperwork on track.

Location, commute and cost: fees, zones and practical considerations

Location factors matter. Most government high schools have enrolment zones that give local students priority. If you are eyeing a school across Melbourne, weigh the commute. We have seen long train or tram trips eat into study and family time, so the map is part of the decision, not an afterthought. For a driven school run, our fuel cost calculator puts a dollar figure on the daily trip.

Weigh the financial side too. Government schools are essentially free aside from minor charges, while private schools charge $19,000 to $48,000 for Year 12 in 2026. Many Catholic schools sit in the middle. Factor in extras like uniforms, books, technology levies and transport, which add roughly 8 to 15% on top of tuition.

Frequently asked questions about the best high schools in Melbourne

What is the best high school in Melbourne in 2026?

On VCE 2025 results, The Mac.Robertson Girls’ High School and Nossal High School lead Melbourne’s government schools with a median study score of 37. Among private schools, Melbourne Grammar and Melbourne Girls’ Grammar top the list at a median of 36. “Best” still depends on fit, cost and commute.

Which are the top selective high schools in Melbourne?

Melbourne’s four selective-entry public schools are Melbourne High (boys), Mac.Robertson Girls’ High (girls), and co-educational Nossal High and Suzanne Cory High. They post the strongest government VCE results, with medians of 35 to 37 in 2025, and require the Year 8 exam rather than a zone.

Are Melbourne’s public schools as good as private schools?

Often, yes. On 2025 VCE data the selective public schools matched or beat the top private schools, with MacRob and Nossal at a median of 37 versus 36 for Melbourne Grammar. Leading zoned public schools like Balwyn High reached a median of 33, all without tuition fees.

How do I get into a selective high school in Melbourne?

You register with ACER, usually around March in Year 8, and sit one entrance exam around June for Year 9 entry. Offers run from August to October, with about 90% made in the first round. Places are limited: roughly 1,000 across the four schools each year.

How much are private high school fees in Melbourne?

For 2026, Year 12 tuition across 25 Melbourne private schools ranges from about $19,095 to $47,877, with a median near $39,810. Melbourne Grammar is $46,230 and Scotch College $47,877. Levies for technology, camps and uniforms add roughly 8 to 15% on top.

Do I have to live in a school zone to enrol?

For zoned government schools, yes. If your permanent address is inside the zone, the school must offer your child a place, and schools verify residence. Out-of-zone applicants are only considered where spare places exist. Check your address on findmyschool.vic.gov.au before you commit to a suburb.

What does the median VCE study score mean?

It is the middle study score in a school’s cohort, out of a maximum of 50. A median of 37 means half the school’s study scores were above 37. The state median sits around 30, so a school median in the mid-30s signals consistently strong results across the year level.

Is it worth moving suburb for a better school?

For many families it is, especially to enter a top public zone that would otherwise be out of reach. Weigh the higher rent or house price, the commute, and the timing of the move against the school’s results. If you decide to relocate, plan the move around the enrolment date.

Found the right school? Let’s get your family moved

Melbourne gives families plenty of strong options, which is why it pays to look beyond a single ranking. Selective schools offer an intense academic environment, leading public schools shine through strong zones, and private schools provide the widest facilities. The best choice comes down to fit: curriculum, commute, culture and the everyday experience your child will have. When the decision is made, our affordable removalist crews in Melbourne handle the move so you can focus on the school day.

If one thing deserves your attention beyond the data, it is school culture. Results matter, but so does how a school supports students and builds confidence. Visit open days, ask direct questions, and look for consistency in results over time rather than chasing one headline number.

When a school zone decides the move, timing is everything. We have moved families across town so a child could be in-zone before the first school day, sometimes with a same-day removalist booking. Getting that right is the difference between a calm start and a stressful one. If you are planning a move around schools, reach out for a quick quote and book with the best removalist in Melbourne.