Choosing a high school in Melbourne's south-east: what parents should weigh up

Are you the parent of a child or children who are getting ready to begin high school? It’s such an exciting and slightly anxiety-provoking time, as your child grows up and develops more independence.

Choosing a high school is a big deal, as you’re betting on their success for the future. It is not a decision that you should rush into, as there is so much to consider. If you live in Melbourne’s south-eastern suburbs, there are different school options available to you depending on where you live.

Parents need to weigh up many different considerations when it comes to choosing a high school in this part of the city, and this helpful article will assist you in making this decision. We’ll cover all the factors that you need to consider when assessing your options, so read on to learn more. 

Public or private 

You might be wondering if you should send your child or children to a public school or a private high school in Brighton. This decision involves balancing cost, academic outcomes, resources and other factors. 

Public schools are funded by the government and are secular and generally inclusive. There is no cost to send your kids to a public school, but parents still need to pay for uniforms, devices, camps, stationery and textbooks. On the other hand, private schools can be secular or faith-based and have tuition fees per term or year. These can range from generally affordable to quite expensive. For instance, Catholic schools generally have moderate fees, while independent or elite private schools can range into the tens of thousands per year. 

Another key difference is class sizes, resources and the conditions of school facilities. Public schools tend to have larger class sizes, can lack resources, and facilities can range from modern and innovative to run-down and shabby. On the other hand, private schools offer smaller class sizes, extensive extra-curricular activities and upscale campus facilities such as tech hubs, art rooms, sports complexes and more. 

Finally, another major difference is academic results. Some public schools boast excellent academic outcomes, while others struggle to perform in this area. Private schools tend to have high-level outcomes across the board. 

Ultimately, the decision to send your children to a public or private high school in Melbourne will depend on a few factors, such as your education budget, your kids’ academic prowess, and the quality and offerings of the schools that you are considering.

Your child's interest and talents

When it comes to choosing a high school in Melbourne’s south-eastern suburbs, you’ll need to take your children’s interests and talents into the equation. Different high schools have a focus on different areas, such as music, art, drama or tech. You may wish to choose a high school that excels in such areas to ensure that your kid thrives in the secondary education environment. High school will set them up for success in later life, so it’s important to choose a school that will nurture their unique interests, skills and preferences. 

Academic outcomes and learning support

You’ll want to consider different schools’ academic performance and learning support. This is especially important during the VCE years, when the focus is on exams and scores that will determine your children’s choice of tertiary education providers. Consider the teaching approach, curriculum options and learning support available to students who may struggle with academic learning. What extension or accessibility options are there? High schools’ academic results are available for review, so it may be worth investigating this when you have your shortlist of different schools in Melbourne’s south-east.

Inclusion, wellbeing and diversity

Another key factor to influence your decision is a school’s approach to inclusion and diversity. This is especially important if your kids happen to be neurodiverse or belong to the LGBTIQ+ community. Do the schools that you are considering offer inclusivity programs and initiatives? If your family is culturally diverse or First Peoples, do the schools you are considering have solid cultural safety approaches? All of this is worth considering when choosing a school in Melbourne’s south-eastern suburbs.  

You’ll also want to consider whether students feel safe and respected at school, any anti-bullying policies and how student concerns are handled, as well as any mental health and counselling support. Do the schools in your shortlist have counsellors, psychologists or wellbeing leads?

School values and discipline

You should investigate each school’s values, which should be publicly listed on their websites, and whether these values align with your own and your childrens'. Another factor worth investigating is the school’s approach to discipline, as well as the behavioural expectations of students while they’re enrolled.

Location and travel time

This is an important factor to consider when choosing a high school in the south-eastern suburbs of Melbourne. How far are your options from your home? Are they close enough to walk there? Is it a short drive instead? Can your children make it there on public transport, such as catching the bus or train? Are there school buses available? How safe and convenient is the commute? Is there enough time left over after coming home for the children to make it to extracurricular activities, homework, sports, with time left over for rest and leisure?  

Social life and friendships

Finally, another important factor in choosing a high school is the social aspect. Does your child know anyone else attending, or will they have to make new friends in their first year? If so, how does the school encourage developing new relationships? Does the school environment fit your child’s social personality?

A school summary

This article has covered what parents should weigh up when choosing a high school in Melbourne’s south-east. We’ve covered the key differences between public and private schools, as this will be a major decision you need to make. We’ve also discussed matching a school to the child’s interests and talents, as well as academic performance and outcomes. Furthermore, we explored diversity, inclusion and wellbeing, as well as school and personal values. Finally, location and travel time will play a role, as will the approach to social life and relationships. You should consider all of these factors when choosing a high school in the south-eastern suburbs of Melbourne.

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