SchoolRank AU

Hidden Gems: Australia's Best Schools You Can Actually Afford

We analysed 7,495 schools across all NAPLAN domains and found 905 hidden gems — schools delivering top-tier results in suburbs where the median house price is $665,000 less than comparably performing schools elsewhere.

7,495 Schools Analysed 905 Hidden Gems $665K Median Savings 8 States & Territories

Key Findings

  • 905 schools deliver above-median NAPLAN results in suburbs with below-median house prices within their state.
  • The correlation between house price and school performance is r = 0.552 — meaning about 70% of the variation in school results is unrelated to property prices.
  • Hidden gem families enjoy a median house price of $585,000, compared to $1,250,000 for similarly performing schools — a saving of $665,000.
  • The states with the most hidden gems are NSW (276), VIC (200), QLD (195).

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a hidden gem school?

A hidden gem is a school whose NAPLAN performance significantly outperforms what its suburb's house prices would predict. A school qualifies when its Gem Score — the gap between its state NAPLAN percentile and its state house price percentile — is 30 or higher.

How is the Gem Score calculated?

The Gem Score equals the school's NAPLAN Index Percentile minus the suburb's House Price Percentile, both calculated within the same state. The NAPLAN index compares each school's results against other schools at the same year level and domain, so primary and secondary schools are measured fairly. A Gem Score of +30 or higher qualifies as a hidden gem.

How much can families save?

Hidden gem families enjoy a median suburb house price of $585,000, compared to $1,250,000 for non-gem schools with similar NAPLAN scores — a median saving of $665,000.

What data sources are used?

School performance data is based on NAPLAN results from the 2023–2025 releases, compared within each year level and domain. Suburb property data is sourced from Domain.com.au (median house prices). The dataset covers 7,495 schools across all 8 states and territories.

Does a high Gem Score mean a school is good?

A high Gem Score means the school delivers strong NAPLAN results relative to its suburb's affordability — it's a measure of value, not an absolute quality ranking.