Choosing a high school: which school best suits your child?

Selecting a high school can be unexpectedly stressful for both parents and children. By keeping a few key things in mind, families can make their way through the maze of information to find what best suits their child and their circumstances.

Source: Getty Images/davidf

Highlights

• High schools broadly fall into three categories: government, Catholic and independent
• School choice should be based on more than academic performance alone
• Online tools are available to help compare high schools and locate schools in your zone
• Try to match a school’s culture to your own values

When it’s time to select an Australian secondary or high school, the choices can be overwhelming.

“It can be stressful because there are a number of things they might want to consider,” says Derek McCormack, Director of Raising Children Network.

“For example, how schools match their practical needs, their personal values and preferences and their hopes around academic achievement for their child.”

Parents find themselves wading through huge amounts of information, says Ross White, General Manager of Good Education, publisher of the Good Schools Guide. The Guide helps parents compare Australian schools.

Things to consider

Australian secondary schools generally fall into three categories: government, Catholic and independent. With those in mind, there are four key areas that parents are really thinking about, Mr White says.

“It’s cost, it’s location, it’s performance and it’s fit,” says Mr White.

“Broadly everyone is looking to tick those four boxes."

The idea of ‘fit’, or matching a school’s culture to your own values, really does matter when thinking about a school, says Mr McCormack.

The idea of school culture can mean many things.

“For example, the emphasis on academic achievement, the uniform policy, is there compulsory sport or weekend activities? And there might be a particular teaching philosophy that parents and their child are keen on.”

You may have a preference for government or non-government schools. Perhaps religious education matters to you.

Discussing options with your child may also influence your decision.

“Children might have interests, extracurricular activities or most importantly, friends and connections that mean they would like to go to a particular school,” says Mr McCormack.

Students take part in an outdoor class Source: Getty Images/Daniel Pockett

Government high schools

Government schools are low cost but may involve voluntary contributions.

An online search will identify the government school in your enrolment zone. This is the area surrounding a school, explains Mr McCormack.

So based on where you’re living, your child might be eligible for a particular school in that zone. But if you’re interested in a school outside that zone, it's worth contacting that school and finding out what’s possible.

Primary schools also assist, says Arlene, whose son started high school in Melbourne this year.

“In about May of grade 6, the school sends out information which gives you the offer of secondary schools within the area, and you have the option to put in preferences.”

Some states offer selective-entry government schools or selective classes within a school. These have competitive entrance tests.

Specialised high schools focus on particular study areas such as creative and performing arts, language, science and maths or sports. Again students must meet specific entrance criteria.

Government and independent Special Needs Schools support students with disabilities, health-related conditions and learning difficulties.

Student takes a woodwork class Source: Getty Images/Daniel Pockett

Non-government schools

Non-government schools are a popular choice in Australia. Tuition fees are significantly higher than for government schools.

Independent schools usually charge higher fees than Catholic schools, with costs varying between each.

Non-government education may offer more facilities or subject choices, or a culture that best matches that of your family.

How to compare schools

Online tools such as the Australian Schools Directory and the My School website list Australian schools by search criteria such as type, location, religion, or single and mixed-gender schools. Here you can also find data on academic performance.

“The Good Schools Guide provides a simple way to line up multiple schools side by side so you can make really simple comparisons,” says Mr White.

“Every school has the opportunity to curate their own profile so they can add things like extra-curricular activities or additional information about their campuses.”

Source: Getty Images/PhotoAlto/Sigrid Olsson

Look beyond a school’s academic performance

“Parents might realise that a school has a particular culture in terms of how students express themselves, and it seems to fit nicely with their child,” says Mr McCormack.

Those other factors might come into play if the school has, say, a lower academic performance.

When to enrol

For government high schools, children usually enrol in April or May in the final year of primary school.

Non-government high schools often have long waiting lists, so you may need to start the enrolment process much earlier.

Enrolment dates and procedures vary between schools.

You can get enrolment details directly from the school by attending open days or visiting the school’s website.