Best Schools in Adelaide

Top schools in Adelaide

1. Dara School
   Morphettville · Independent · Combined — Academic 87/100
2. Linden Park Primary School
   Linden Park · Government · Primary — Academic 80/100
3. St Andrew's School
   Walkerville · Independent · Primary — Academic 80/100
4. Glenunga International High School
   Glenunga · Government · Secondary — Academic 79/100
5. St Peter's Collegiate Girls' School
   Stonyfell · Independent · Combined — Academic 79/100
6. Rose Park Primary School
   Rose Park · Government · Primary — Academic 78/100
7. Pembroke School
   Kensington Park · Independent · Combined — Academic 75/100
8. Wilderness School
   Medindie · Independent · Combined — Academic 75/100

Suburbs with the most schools in Adelaide

• Morphett vale (12 schools) · avg academic 46/100
• Adelaide (11 schools) · avg academic 61/100
• Aberfoyle Park (7 schools) · avg academic 55/100
• Parafield gardens (6 schools) · avg academic 45/100
• Henley Beach (5 schools) · avg academic 56/100
• Wynn vale (5 schools) · avg academic 53/100
• Prospect (5 schools) · avg academic 57/100
• Golden grove (4 schools) · avg academic 54/100
• Elizabeth (4 schools) · avg academic 29/100
• Salisbury east (4 schools) · avg academic 44/100

Schools in Adelaide: a closer look

Adelaide's government school system operates differently from other Australian capitals, with a handful of specialist public high schools sitting at the top of the academic rankings. Glenunga International High School is the standout performer, consistently posting the highest NAPLAN and SACE results among SA government schools. Its International Baccalaureate program and zoned intake from the eastern suburbs (Glenunga, Burnside, Glen Osmond) make it the most catchment-sensitive school in the state. Norwood Morialta High School, formed from a 2014 merger, covers the Magill and Rostrevor corridor with strong academic and performing arts streams.

Adelaide High School and Adelaide Botanic High School both sit in the CBD and run Special Interest programs (music and STEM respectively) that accept students by audition or assessment alongside their regular catchment intake. Marryatville High School and Brighton Secondary School complete the band of high-performing government secondaries, each drawing from affluent suburban catchments in the east and southwest.

The independent sector is led by St Peter's College, Prince Alfred College, Scotch College, Pembroke and Seymour College, all clustered in the eastern suburbs between Hackney, Kent Town and Unley. Catholic colleges including Mercedes College, Loreto College and Cabra Dominican College serve families across the inner south and west.

Adelaide's northern corridor from Salisbury through Mawson Lakes to Elizabeth and the southern suburbs from Aberfoyle Park through Morphett Vale to Seaford are where the bulk of new housing and school capacity is being added. These growth areas rely heavily on government secondaries and Catholic colleges, with fewer independent options than the established eastern suburbs. For a city of its size, Adelaide offers an unusual concentration of high-performing public schools, making it one of the more accessible capitals for families who prefer the government system.