Choosing a high school is one of the most important decisions in a student’s education journey. While factors like academic results and extracurricular activities are often top of mind, there are other crucial elements that can shape a student’s experience. Let’s look at what we should consider, from a school’s general feel, teacher-student ratio to gender ratio.
Understanding the school’s “feel” and fit
Before diving into numbers, think about the culture of the school and how it aligns with the student’s personality and learning style.
Learning environment
Some students are quiet learners who thrives in a small, nurturing environment, while others flourish in a bustling, large school with lots of social activities.
Values and ethos
Does the school’s philosophy (e.g., strong academic focus, emphasis on arts, sports, or religious values) match well with the student’s natural inclination and beliefs?
School culture
Consider the school’s atmosphere. Is it supportive, competitive or community-focused? School tours and speaking to current parents can offer great insights.
Extracurricular activities
Does the school offer subjects and programs that will engage a student’s interests and help them explore future career paths?
The numbers game: student-teacher ratio, gender ratio & ICSEA
Beyond the general feel, some specific numbers can give you a clearer picture of what a school offers.
Student-teacher ratio
This ratio depicts the number of students there are for each teacher in a school. To calculate, simply take the total number of students divided by the total number of teaching staff.
A lower student-teacher ratio generally means:
- More individual attention. Teachers have more time to spend with each student. This allows for personalised help and feedback to nurture excellence.
- Better relationships. It can lead to stronger connections between students and teachers, making it easier for your child to seek support when needed.
- Teacher workload. A better ratio can also mean teachers are less stretched, potentially leading to more engaged and less stressed educators.
Where to find it?
This data is available in our High Schools Profile dashboard. Some school websites or annual reports might also publish it.
Note: A low student-teacher ratio is often associated with independent (private) schools, though it’s worth checking for all sectors. Remember, it’s not the same as class size, which can vary depending on subjects and year level.
Gender ratio (co-ed vs. single-sex schools)
Whether a school is all-boys, all-girls, or co-educational (boys and girls together), there are factors to consider for each type of schools.
Co-educational schools:
| Real-world environment | Co-educational schools prepare students for social interactions with all genders. |
| Diverse perspectives | Learning alongside students of different genders can expose children to a wider range of viewpoints and experiences. |
Single-sex schools:
| Tailored teaching | Some argue that teachers in single-sex schools can tailor their teaching methods specifically to the learning styles often associated with boys or girls. |
| Reduced distractions | For some students, single-sex environments can minimise social distractions and allow them to focus more on academics or interests. |
| Focus on strengths | Girls’ schools, for instance, might encourage girls to pursue subjects like advanced maths or science without traditional gender stereotypes, while boys’ schools might encourage engagement in creative arts. |
Ultimately, what feels right for the student themself is most important. Some children thrive in mixed environments, while others feel more comfortable or focused in single-sex settings. Parents should discuss this frankly with their child.
ICSEA (Index of Community Socio-educational Advantage)
ICSEA provides an indication of the socio-educational backgrounds of students attending a school. It’s calculated by ACARA (Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority).
What it is. ICSEA is a score that takes into account factors such as the parents’ jobs, their education levels and the school’s location.
What it isn’t. It’s not a measure of school quality or performance. A higher ICSEA score simply means the school has a higher proportion of students from more advantaged backgrounds. A lower score means a higher proportion from less advantaged backgrounds.
Why it’s useful:
Context for results
When you look at a school’s academic scores, knowing its ICSEA score helps you understand the background of its student population. A school with a lower ICSEA that achieves strong academic results might be doing an exceptional job with its students, given their starting point.
Diversity
It can give you an idea of the socio-economic diversity (or lack thereof) within a school’s student body.
Where to find it
We cover the ICSEA score in our High Schools Profile dashboard.
Some practical considerations
Of course, we should not forget the everyday realities of getting to school!
Location and travel
How far is the school from a student’s home? What are the public transport options? A long, difficult commute can add stress and reduce time for study or relaxation.
Costs
Beyond school fees (for Catholic and independent schools), consider other costs like uniforms, textbooks, excursions and extracurricular activities. For an in-depth discussion on costs, you might want to check out our guide on school fees and other costs.
Facilities
While not the be-all and end-all, good facilities (e.g., science labs, sports grounds, performing arts spaces) can enhance a student’s learning experience, especially if they have specific interests.
A holistic approach
Choosing a high school is a very personal decision. There’s no single “best” school for every child. By considering a mix of factors – the school’s general feel, its academic and wellbeing support, important data like teacher-student ratio and ICSEA, and practical considerations – parents can make an informed choice that sets their child up for a positive high school experience.
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