You've pulled up the government’s MySchool portal, scrolled through ATAR averages, and entered the names of high schools with consistently good scores located within a reasonable distance from home onto your spreadsheet. It feels like a solid start – numbers don’t lie! But they also don’t tell the whole story, especially when it comes to academic scores, student populations, and ranking systems such as NAPLAN and ATAR. Not only are there questions about who sat the test and who didn't – there's also the deeper question of whether every student ended up on a pathway that was genuinely right for them.
Every year, Australian parents search for the best high school for their child, weighing values, culture, and opportunities, and checking whether a school offers the services that fit their family's needs. Priorities also change as children age. What you wanted for your child in primary school may be quite different from what you want for high school. Numbers can’t provide details about whether a school is capable of nurturing your adolescent as a "whole person.”
Look beyond ATAR scores and school rankings
Do scores matter? Yes! However, a large Oxford-published study found that good academic results are only weakly related to the young person’s future: how engaged they stay in their education after school, how well they do in the workforce, and their broader wellbeing later on are related to more than one factor. In other words, the best results aren’t the only thing that sets your child up for their best life.
The best results aren’t the only thing that sets your child up for their best life.
You haven’t failed in your research if you’re staring at a spreadsheet and feeling a bit overwhelmed – or even if you haven’t got a spreadsheet! By clicking on the link and reading this far, you’ve taken the first step. Your next step is getting a better sense than just numbers and words on the screen – it’s important to gather more information about a school “in real life” (IRL).
Questions to ask about academic performance and learning support
A question people sometimes overlook is how a school supports students' learning – including those who are not already excelling. What happens when a student needs extra support or wants to be stretched further? How do teachers adapt for different learning styles and implement differentiated learning? And how is progress tracked and communicated to families so that supports – if needed – can be implemented early enough?
It's also worth asking slightly more searching questions: how does the school guide senior students who want to go to university – and what pathways are available to those who’d prefer to take a different route or want to shift onto a different pathway later on? What must a junior high school student demonstrate to qualify for an academic course like Physics or Music Extension in Year 11 and 12? Does the school "select" for academic ability at enrolment, or do they give all students a chance?
A confident school walks you through the choices openly, showing you not just where their strongest results come from, but how they support every student towards the pathway that’s right for them.
Questions to ask about school culture
Culture is harder to quantify than test scores, which makes it easy to underweight it in a school search – and even easier to regret later!
A well-regarded German economic research organisation, the IZA Institute, found that information about a school's culture and environment noticeably shifts parents’ overall impression of a school, even though psychology research also says they sometimes aren't even fully aware of what they're prioritising! Going in on the front foot with a few direct questions ready is really worth it rather than relying on gut feel alone. For instance, how does the school talk about failure? Does the school prioritise healthy relationships and productive learning environments? Do the school values resonate with you and feel like clear and actionable behaviour standards, or are they just a long list of disconnected words? How are those values communicated and nurtured day to day? Do students seem genuinely friendly and respectful on your tour, or well-rehearsed for visitors?
Questions to ask about student wellbeing and pastoral care
Support and pastoral care aren’t just "nice" add-ons to a young person’s education – they’re fundamental. A major review of school-based wellbeing programs found that student wellbeing and academic outcomes are closely tied, and that schools serious about one tend to take the other seriously too.
On your tour, ask what pastoral care looks like day-to-day: are there dedicated staff members your child can go to when they are going through a hard time? Are there spaces for students who don't “fit the mould” or are experiencing social challenges? (For more on what to look for in wellbeing support from a school, keep an eye out for our upcoming companion article on student wellbeing.)
Questions to ask about sport, music and extracurricular opportunities
As adolescents become teenagers and young men and women, they are also beginning to pursue personal interests and looking for ways to participate or distinguish themselves as individuals. This is where a school’s extracurricular activities come into sharper focus.
During your tour, don’t just ask about the kinds of activities a school offers but also who gets to take part in them. Are the programs elite or selective – or is there room for beginners? How does the school develop athletes, musicians, and performers?
Research on extracurricular participation shows that the biggest benefits – improved motivation, social-emotional skills, and mental health – come from broad, voluntary participation. A school where every student who wants to be in the school production gets a role, rather than only the best or most polished performers, signals that it values growth, character development, and belonging over just achievement.
Questions to ask about leadership opportunities
Leadership is not just for students with badges; it should also include genuine opportunities offered through structured programs that allow for leadership practice in areas beyond traditional roles, such as spirituality and creative and performing arts. Leadership curriculum research shows real gains in self-belief, emotional intelligence, and problem-solving skills, as well as measurable improvements in engagement and self-esteem in leadership programs.
On your tour, ask how leadership roles are distributed. In the early Secondary school years, are they reserved only for the most popular students or the handful who already show signs of high achievement, or are they genuinely accessible to a wide range of students who are still developing? How does this look across the high school years?
Questions to ask about class size and teaching
Class size, particularly in senior years, is one thing many parents pay close attention to – and rightly so. Smaller class sizes can mean more individual attention from teachers, stronger relationships, and less time lost to the logistics of large groups.
That said, it’s worth knowing that studies found class size on its own isn’t a guarantee of quality: a major review of 277 studies by economist Eric Hanushek found that the class-size effect on achievement is weaker and less consistent than commonly assumed.
The real question is what a smaller class actually looks like in practice. On a tour, watch how a teacher moves around a classroom, whether students are called on by name, and whether there’s a genuine sense that each student is known, not just taught. A small number on a page matters less than what that number translates to in the room.
What to look for on an open day or school tour
An open day will tell you more about a school than a website or test scores ever could. Pay attention to how staff interact with students, whether students seem genuinely engaged, whether they show good manners toward visitors, and whether the school environment is calm and joyful (even during active break times). Take note of the classroom and resource facilities, but also look closely at the surrounding environment. Do students get a healthy view of blue sky and greenery – and get generous lungfuls of fresh air between classes and during their breaks? (Yes, it’s possible – even in suburban environments!)
Take the opportunity to talk to a student. Find out what they love about their school and who they’d go to if they were having a tough day. A school that can point to real people – a teacher, a chaplain, a counsellor, even a peer support structure like a student council – rather than reciting a single “wellbeing program,” is often showing you something more meaningful. This is care built into daily life, not bolted on as a stand-alone initiative.
Finding the best high school starts with finding the right fit
Every family defines the "best high school" differently. For some, it will be academic excellence. For others, it may be outstanding wellbeing, smaller class sizes, strong music or sporting programs, or a values-based education. Ultimately, the best high school is one where your child feels known, supported and challenged to reach their potential.
As you go, you will find that your thinking shifts and sharpens, which is normal in this process of visiting and asking questions. Permit yourself to dig deep. The right school isn't always the one at the top of the spreadsheet. It's the one where your child will be known, supported, and given real room to grow into who they’re becoming.
Why not book a tour or take advantage of the next open day? When you walk the grounds, check how it feels to imagine your child there.
We warmly invite you to our next open day. See details here.