Which schools suit what your child loves?

Review What had the biggest impact

One of the biggest positives was the range of opportunities available — especially in sport and academics. Being part of interschool competitions really helped build my confidence and teamwork skills. I also had a couple of teachers who were genuinely passionate and supportive, which made a big difference… Read all

One of the biggest positives was the range of opportunities available — especially in sport and academics. Being part of interschool competitions really helped build my confidence and teamwork skills. I also had a couple of teachers who were genuinely passionate and supportive, which made a big difference in subjects I found challenging. On the downside, the school could feel a bit overwhelming at times because of its size and competitiveness, but overall the experience pushed me to grow.

Review Compared with other schools

All students used ipads/laptops in the classroom, when my daughter first started they had some parent info nights about the use of laptops and how to manage screen time at home which was helpful, but in senior years they tended to just assume kids were more well behaved when it came to screen time, which… Read all

All students used ipads/laptops in the classroom, when my daughter first started they had some parent info nights about the use of laptops and how to manage screen time at home which was helpful, but in senior years they tended to just assume kids were more well behaved when it came to screen time, which was not always the case especially in the classroom

Review Why we chose this school

I selected Mansfield State High because of its outstanding academic achievements and moved houses to make sure my child could conveniently take public transport to school.

Review What we like and dislike

I like the academic programs the school provides and the music and culture programs. I dislike the bullying system and child support the school gives.

Review Why we chose this school

We chose Indooroopilly State High School because of its strong academic reputation, diverse student community, and excellent extracurricular offerings, especially in music, STEM and language programs. We live within the catchment, so no major move was needed, but we did consider private options and decided… Read all

We chose Indooroopilly State High School because of its strong academic reputation, diverse student community, and excellent extracurricular offerings, especially in music, STEM and language programs. We live within the catchment, so no major move was needed, but we did consider private options and decided Indooroopilly SHS provided comparable quality without the high tuition fees. We absolutely feel the school is worth it given the quality of teaching, facilities and the wide range of opportunities available to students. It has met and, in many ways, exceeded our expectations.

Review What we like and dislike

Likes: Dedicated teachers who go out of their way to support students. Strong academic focus with extension and enrichment options. Diverse cultural environment that teaches respect and global awareness. Good music and sports programs. Modern facilities, especially the science labs and the new performing… Read all

Likes: Dedicated teachers who go out of their way to support students. Strong academic focus with extension and enrichment options. Diverse cultural environment that teaches respect and global awareness. Good music and sports programs. Modern facilities, especially the science labs and the new performing arts centre Dislikes: The school can feel quite large and sometimes a bit impersonal. Parking and drop-off zones are often congested.

Review What had the biggest impact

Teachers had a massive impact on the students, and it was obvious through the students' grades. For example, in Grade 10, one of the science classes had a much higher fail rate than the rest of the other classes for an exam. The difference? The teacher. I had friends from that class improve substantially the following term when their teacher left and a new one came in. Although my experience wasn't as dramatic, teachers were still incredibly important. While some teachers helped me understand the concept immediately, others like my chemistry teacher were confusing and I ended up having to resort to external tutoring to understand. It was also a shame that the school had a high staff turnover rate. I had three different English teachers in Grade 11 because they kept leaving. This was particularly frustrating as personal feedback (e.g. feedback on progress over different exams) is incredibly important in subjective subjects such as English. When new teachers come in, they know nothing about you or your knowledge as a student, and thus their feedback is limited and may not be as helpful as it could be.

Review Would you recommend it?

Although there are many things that needs to be considered when selecting IB (ATAR conversions, whether you are planning to study domestic vs international), overall, I would still recommend QA to students if they enjoy working with like minded peers and work well under pressure. The teachers really have a passion for their job, and it shows through their interaction and willingness to help their students. However, I do agree that IB places too much stress on students, so therefore I only recommend the school to students that are up for the long term challenge. Other pros for the school includes the fact that the 80% of the students are also dedicated and hard-working which creates a sort of competitive/encouraging environment that is hard to find in other schools. Furthermore, there is hardly no stigma around being "nerdy" or trying hard, which is also uncommon in most high schools. As for extracurricular activities, QA does not place a huge emphasis on sports as participation for extracurricular activities is less than the average school.

Review What had the biggest impact

The school environment and constantly being surrounded by people that are also so hard-working and motivated definitely had the largest positive impact on me in terms of encouraging me to achieve my best. IB is an extremely academically demanding program, and as a result, my last final 2 years really tested my ability to time manage, balance my extracurriculars and work efficiently. These skills I feel have allowed me to find strengths and weaknesses in studying which was useful in university. Furthermore, as a result of school's emphasis on STEM, students at SMT often get the opportunity to join many university based programs, listen to specialists and attend seminars, all of which I know has inspired many students to pursue a career in STEM> Overall, my interactions with my teachers, and their willingness to always help, as well as their genuine passion for teaching has left a lasting impact on my view on ability to communicate my problems and seek help. I know the teachers at SMT has not only inspired but also challenged the students to always keep learning.

Review School culture

The school culture is probably the most strict and competitive out of all schools in Queensland. All students that enter have entered via selective entry, and as a result there is a huge emphasise on academic achievement. The school also promotes competitive by having yearly academic rewards and ranking systems, which can get really toxic as most students are competing for the gold/honours. This also meant that students would judge each other based on GPA and grades a lot. It is also very easy to make friends, as everyone is generally really open and supportive.

Review School culture

As mentioned previously, QASMT is highly competitive and academics-focused. Students strive for good grades, and this culture is supported by the school itself in the way that award ceremonies are constantly held and students are praised for their achievements. QASMT prides itself in this, additionally expecting students to maintain a high standard of dress and behaviour both in and out of the school with strict rules. Because of this, most students had the same mindset- do well and graduate with a high score. Although it was competitive, it was more the reason for students to band together and support one another. In a program like IB that's incredibly difficult, it was almost impossible for anyone to get through it alone- at least, that was my experience. I found that people were more than happy to help each other, sharing notes and teaching each other concepts. As the IB does not rely on a bell-curve grading system like the ATAR, this means that one person getting a high score does not make it harder for another person to do well. This is one thing that I appreciated- that we competed with ourselves to be constantly better rather than be in competition with others where people would ultimately be more selfish with resources etc. in order to do good.

Review What had the biggest impact

I appreciated one of my teachers who went out of her own way to give me feedback during her lunch break. No other teacher has done that before and we took well over an hour and she did not eat and had to run to her next class.

Review Compared with other schools

No technology was really used, for the first few years we would get letters that were handed to our children but after that they changed to emails.

Review Why we chose this school

I chose the school because of its reputation and proximity to home, but looking back, I’m not sure it was the best fit. I didn’t have to pay extra tuition fees, but I did consider moving into the catchment area for the convenience. Honestly, I don’t feel it was worth the cost, especially when it came… Read all

I chose the school because of its reputation and proximity to home, but looking back, I’m not sure it was the best fit. I didn’t have to pay extra tuition fees, but I did consider moving into the catchment area for the convenience. Honestly, I don’t feel it was worth the cost, especially when it came to the level of support and opportunities provided.

Review What we like and dislike

What I liked most was the convenience of the location and the variety of subjects offered. However, I disliked how the school didn’t always seem to prioritize support for struggling students, and I felt that the focus was too much on academics rather than a well-rounded experience.

Review What had the biggest impact

the first swimming carnival i attended there was a sense of community and belonging there. there was a lot of opportunities for sport which had a great impact on me during the earlier years but when it was time to get serious about study in the later years cleveland was not much help.

Review Would you recommend it?

Yes, I would recommend CDSHS because it offers a strong academic curriculum, a variety of extracurricular activities, and a supportive learning environment. The school has excellent facilities and dedicated teachers who are passionate about student success. However, some areas, like student well-being… Read all

Yes, I would recommend CDSHS because it offers a strong academic curriculum, a variety of extracurricular activities, and a supportive learning environment. The school has excellent facilities and dedicated teachers who are passionate about student success. However, some areas, like student well-being support and discipline, could be improved.

Review What had the biggest impact

As someone who transitioned partway through the school I found a lot of support in most of my teachers. There were only a few who would refuse to use my preferred name and pronouns, and I was supported when I started a group to help other queer kids.

Review Would you recommend it?

Academically, craigslea is decent as they are very supporting and incase they find that someone is struggling in a class they give out extra help classes and it was optional for other students are completely free. I used to attend these just to get the extra help. My overall experience is good, I made… Read all

Academically, craigslea is decent as they are very supporting and incase they find that someone is struggling in a class they give out extra help classes and it was optional for other students are completely free. I used to attend these just to get the extra help. My overall experience is good, I made a lot of friends. My brother who is disabled attended that school and he got so much support from that school. So yes, I recommend this school

Review What had the biggest impact

I think that the experience that impacted me the most was the ability to participate in competitions. I was, and still am, someone that strives to be the best I could, whether in school or out, and competitions helped me to challenge myself and stand out from other students.

Review Would you recommend it?

I would recommend this school, as it quite a variety of facilities available that allowed students like myself to experiment with hobbies/clubs/etc. and figure out my interests. I mostly didn't participate in extracurricular activities, however I did form a "workshop management" club together with some… Read all

I would recommend this school, as it quite a variety of facilities available that allowed students like myself to experiment with hobbies/clubs/etc. and figure out my interests. I mostly didn't participate in extracurricular activities, however I did form a "workshop management" club together with some other students, and this was made quite easy because of how allowing the school is.

Review What had the biggest impact

The biggest impact on my school experience is no doubt the teachers I had. Two of them helped to ignite my passion for media and coding. The classes that were taught were not just reading power point presentations but had practical aspects that allowed us to interact with equipment. In these two classes… Read all

The biggest impact on my school experience is no doubt the teachers I had. Two of them helped to ignite my passion for media and coding. The classes that were taught were not just reading power point presentations but had practical aspects that allowed us to interact with equipment. In these two classes it was hard to get bored and I always looked forward to the days where I had these classes.

Review Would you recommend it?

The school was alright but the people in it were unbearable, for academics I would recommend it however if you were previously bullied you will most likely unfortunately be bullied here.

Review What had the biggest impact

I had so many amazing teachers that really went out of their way to make sure everyone had a good learning experience. They would volunteer their personal time to set up practice exam sessions and consultations. The teachers took time to notice the people in their class and what might help them. The… Read all

I had so many amazing teachers that really went out of their way to make sure everyone had a good learning experience. They would volunteer their personal time to set up practice exam sessions and consultations. The teachers took time to notice the people in their class and what might help them. The dance program was very special to me, I was originally very anxious to perform but QACI nurtures and encourages you to express your creativity.

Review Would you recommend it?

I would recommend this school if you would like to be surrounded by like-minded peers with very nice facilities. Specialising in the arts, there are many resources for these students - as a music student myself, I loved the recording studio. During my time however, there were a lot of staff changes which… Read all

I would recommend this school if you would like to be surrounded by like-minded peers with very nice facilities. Specialising in the arts, there are many resources for these students - as a music student myself, I loved the recording studio. During my time however, there were a lot of staff changes which made learning a bit difficult, although I could tell teachers were trying their best. If you are more academically inclined and lean towards stem subjects, I would recommend QASMT more.

Review What had the biggest impact

My teachers were very supportive and kind people that inspired me to purse education as a career. My biology and English teachers especially provided valuable life skills.

Review Would you recommend it?

I would definitely recommend the school. I was the kind of student to do all kinds of extra curricular activities and the school had provided plenty of opportunities for all kinds of students. Their performance plus program and participation into CGEN competitions is a great creative outlet for arts… Read all

I would definitely recommend the school. I was the kind of student to do all kinds of extra curricular activities and the school had provided plenty of opportunities for all kinds of students. Their performance plus program and participation into CGEN competitions is a great creative outlet for arts students to develop their talents and gain exposure to industry and community. The school is also a regular sporting competitor at the state level, and has a competitive spirit that cannot be ignored across all sports programs. I was part of the basketball team, and have seen students excel in athletics, swimming, rugby, touch football and many more. The school has also welcomed a serious chess program, with mentors, a FIDE master, and chess teachers paving the way for students to get better at the game. Students have also regularly placed in district competitions and are fighting their way through higher level comps. The school has an outstanding debating and public speaking endeavour. I have adjudicated and competed at the national level, and have placed in competitions by the english speaking union and U.N youth.

Review Why we chose this school

I chose this school because of its strong academic reputation and its focus on both academics and emotional growth. To send my daughter here, we moved to Forest Lake and adjusted our budget to cover the higher tuition fees. While it’s been a financial stretch, I believe the value my daughter receives makes it worth the cost.

Review What we like and dislike

What I like most about Forest Lake State High is the supportive community and the focus on individual growth, both academically and personally. I also appreciate the variety of extracurricular activities available, which allows my daughter to explore different interests. On the flip side, what I dislike… Read all

What I like most about Forest Lake State High is the supportive community and the focus on individual growth, both academically and personally. I also appreciate the variety of extracurricular activities available, which allows my daughter to explore different interests. On the flip side, what I dislike is how sometimes communication with the school administration can be a bit slow, making it hard to get quick answers when needed.

Review What had the biggest impact

Being a Prefect and also a part of the Tech Team was great in developing personal skills. I felt in both roles the main connecting thread was that I worked in a team with other people. This really helped develop my teamwork and collaboration skills. Mr Tacon is also good.

Review Would you recommend it?

the education and honestly the overall experience and some of the amazing teachers and support stuff we have

Review What had the biggest impact

Most positive aspect was how hard the teachers tried. Whether you were a straight A student or a parley passing student they found the time to seriously help and pay attention to both. Most negative thing has nothing to do with the school just one teacher who just retired in the middle of a term leaving… Read all

Most positive aspect was how hard the teachers tried. Whether you were a straight A student or a parley passing student they found the time to seriously help and pay attention to both. Most negative thing has nothing to do with the school just one teacher who just retired in the middle of a term leaving us and causing us to fail that term and then the school begging him to come back which he did and then everything was fine.

Review Would you recommend it?

Yes, whilst it is growing now, it had a small, community-like feel to it that made it feel like everyone was cared for. Although it was a small school, it had the size and feel like it was a large one.

Review Why we chose this school

They work well with my son and have a good wellbeing team. They work well with kids who have mental health issues!

Review What we like and dislike

I dislike how expensive the uniform is. I do like their flexibility with students' learning and the speed they learn at.

Review What had the biggest impact

Friends. The people i met were great and definitley made an impact on my life but no programs for me were any help to be honest

Review Would you recommend it?

If you are looking for a multicultural school, this is the one to go to. I was a music student and can say that the music department are very passionate about music. There were plentiful amount of opportunities to perform depending on which ensemble you are in. it can range from semi-annual school performances,… Read all

If you are looking for a multicultural school, this is the one to go to. I was a music student and can say that the music department are very passionate about music. There were plentiful amount of opportunities to perform depending on which ensemble you are in. it can range from semi-annual school performances, workshops, music camp, visiting primary schools to perform, music fest, fanfare etc

Review What had the biggest impact

One of the most impactful aspects of my school experience was the support and encouragement I received from certain teachers who truly believed in me. Their guidance helped me build confidence, especially during challenging times. A specific program that stood out was the science club, where I was able… Read all

One of the most impactful aspects of my school experience was the support and encouragement I received from certain teachers who truly believed in me. Their guidance helped me build confidence, especially during challenging times. A specific program that stood out was the science club, where I was able to explore my curiosity beyond the classroom and work on creative projects with others who shared my interests.

Review Would you recommend it?

I would recommend this school to students more interested in sports and arts rather than academics. There is a lack of attention towards the academic side of teaching, with some teachers teaching in more than one subject, sometimes with the subjects having no correlation to each other (e.g. drama & science).… Read all

I would recommend this school to students more interested in sports and arts rather than academics. There is a lack of attention towards the academic side of teaching, with some teachers teaching in more than one subject, sometimes with the subjects having no correlation to each other (e.g. drama & science). Not saying that the teachers or teaching faculty is bad, it could be better. The school is known for its excellence programs in sports like rugby and netball and in the arts like dance and drama, so go to wavell if that seems more your speed. The overall experience wasn't bad, but myself and my peers did experience bullying, racism, saw violence occur on campus and there was minimal help from administration to resolve these issues, therefore these things remained an issues for years.

Review What had the biggest impact

Negatively, the time I was once transferred from an English class I loved to an English class to a teacher I hated. Also the time at which I was effectively thrown out from one group of friends and forced into solitude from one girl. As for positive, there was the drama teachers in 2021 and 2022.

Review Would you recommend it?

I would absolutely not recommend ASHS (Aspley State High School) to anyone else as my time there was terrible. The teachers were unprofessional, the facilities were disgusting, and the overall quality of academic material and teaching, save for a few good staff, was appalling.

Review What had the biggest impact

The teachers at my school were very supportive and had the greatest impact on my schooling as they cared for me and every other student and wanted us to succeed

Review Would you recommend it?

I recommend this school for a strong variety of teachers ranging in various subjects. All the teachers I had were very pleasant and excellent at their jobs and helped me achieve my goals. The sense of community is also very good around the school. There is a problem with students who are consistently acting up without many repercussions.

Review What had the biggest impact

I think the teaches had the biggest impact on me. Especially in grade 12, my biology teacher was instrumental in my success.

Review Would you recommend it?

I would recommend this school to others. I found the classes to be engaging and thorough in the course content.

Review What had the biggest impact

My maths teacher was the perfect balance of fun and teaching, every class was incredibly fun but also incredibly productive

Review Would you recommend it?

I would recommend this school to others because it is very big, accessible to public transport, and the size of the school means that there are students of many different types and interests.

Review What had the biggest impact

The arts program was fantastic, and run by extremely passionate teachers. There were some poor teachers there - at one point I was sexually harassed by a teacher who the school knew was creepy to students and it ended up becoming a legal matter. He was let go after it escalated legally, though. Other… Read all

The arts program was fantastic, and run by extremely passionate teachers. There were some poor teachers there - at one point I was sexually harassed by a teacher who the school knew was creepy to students and it ended up becoming a legal matter. He was let go after it escalated legally, though. Other teachers were openly racist or homophobic. Generally, a culture of permissiveness towards whatever teachers did, even if it was objectively harmful.

Review Would you recommend it?

I would not recommend because they do not offer all the senior subjects that other larger schools with more students who are interested in academia would have like engineering or literature. They have little academic support for senior students only having sessions once a week for tutorials in which… Read all

I would not recommend because they do not offer all the senior subjects that other larger schools with more students who are interested in academia would have like engineering or literature. They have little academic support for senior students only having sessions once a week for tutorials in which also get crowded closer to exam Weekes with only one teacher to share. However they do offer guidance counselling and career counselling to all senior students in order to make sure that they can maximise their studies. Yet I don’t think it is significant enough to be a reason to choose the school in particular.

Review What had the biggest impact

My senior subject teachers were amazing, and the way they taught was not only vital to my academic success, but also inspired me to pursue a career in teaching senior maths. I had plenty of opportunities to engage in extracurricular activities or community events, and I was able to network with politicians,… Read all

My senior subject teachers were amazing, and the way they taught was not only vital to my academic success, but also inspired me to pursue a career in teaching senior maths. I had plenty of opportunities to engage in extracurricular activities or community events, and I was able to network with politicians, government officials and the Regional Director of Education through my school. The college has also recently constructed a new engineering precinct, and they are planning to offer senior engineering and design subjects to extend the variety of senior subjects.

Review Would you recommend it?

Yes, I would recommend this school to others. The academic quality is excellent, with a strong curriculum and dedicated teachers who are always willing to help students. The school offers a wide range of extracurricular activities, including sports, music, and debate clubs, which provide a well-rounded… Read all

Yes, I would recommend this school to others. The academic quality is excellent, with a strong curriculum and dedicated teachers who are always willing to help students. The school offers a wide range of extracurricular activities, including sports, music, and debate clubs, which provide a well-rounded education. My overall experience was very positive, as I felt supported and challenged to grow both academically and personally.

Review What had the biggest impact

Friendships, Teachers all positive aswell as the specific opportunities and programs offered at Wynnum State High School.

Review Would you recommend it?

i would. the teachers were generally very helpful and wanted us to succeed and most students there were good and not too rowdy

Review Why we chose this school

the school is definitely worth the cost, when attending Alexander hills state high school in qld.

Review What we like and dislike

Supportive teachers who genuinely care about students' success and well-being, both academically and emotionally yes.

Review What had the biggest impact

I was very lucky to be a part of the stem program and academic excellence program which actually gave me a major confidence boost as it made me feel far more capable of achieving higher results and exploring new things, another aspect of highschool that shaped my experience and actually pushed me towards… Read all

I was very lucky to be a part of the stem program and academic excellence program which actually gave me a major confidence boost as it made me feel far more capable of achieving higher results and exploring new things, another aspect of highschool that shaped my experience and actually pushed me towards my current degree was taking part in a an ai for good hackathon, and due to the hands on approach from teachers I had many other opportunities arise from this such as going to Sydney to host our own Microsoft hackathon, I believe that I wouldn’t have been given this opportunity at many other schools

Review Would you recommend it?

I would recommend my school to others for a variety of reasons. The grounds are well maintained, and aren't often vandalised (a trait I find common amongst neighbouring schools). The teachers are very kind, supportive, and create an interactive environment that not only encourages education, but makes it fun.

Review What had the biggest impact

The teachers defenitely, although i wasnt the biggest fan of the higher ups that were working there, the teachers were great and bery 'human' if that makes sense. I feel like having a teacher who teaches to the class but also *talks* to the class create a geeat dynamic and someone to look up to

Review Would you recommend it?

Yes, it was small so our teachers could help us heaps. But because it was so small, we didn’t have much stuff…

Review What had the biggest impact

I am an international student. As there were only three Asians in my grade, including me, when I first arrived at the school, I faced many problems. However, the school's dedicated international student department provided a lot of assistance.

Review Would you recommend it?

Yes, even though it was a public school the teachers were great and there were lots of extracurricular activities for students.

Review What had the biggest impact

Leadership opportunities were the biggest impact on me as I had the great pleasure of being part of amazing teams. The school gave people many opportunities throughout the grade to be apart of a leadership group which could be flexible to how much you could commit time and energy to. It was a lot of fun

Review Would you recommend it?

i would recommend this school because the teacher’s are really supportive and most made classes fun while i was there

Review What had the biggest impact

I suppose the creative arts element of my education there made a huge difference. I was in the musical for 4 years and learned to become myself more over those years.

Review Would you recommend it?

It depends on the student. For someone who wants to have lots of sporting extracurricular activities, this is the school for them! Arts extracurriculars, not as many but we still have lots. If you're dead set on getting a 99 atar it may not be the school for you, some of the teachers are a bit hit or… Read all

It depends on the student. For someone who wants to have lots of sporting extracurricular activities, this is the school for them! Arts extracurriculars, not as many but we still have lots. If you're dead set on getting a 99 atar it may not be the school for you, some of the teachers are a bit hit or miss, but it's still a wonderful school with plenty of facilities and experiences for all types of students.

Review What had the biggest impact

There were scholarship programs available and there were some extra classes available to learn more

Review School culture

A a a. A a a a. A a a a a. A a a. Relaxed

Review What had the biggest impact

The teachers had the biggest impact on me, as a majority of my grade 12 teaching staff always went out of their way to build strong connections with students, as well as putting in extra effort to ensure that every student succeeded to the best of their abilities. Their support greatly aided my academic achievements.

Review School culture

My school is relatively strict with its uniform and conduct, however, other than that, it was a casual school where staff and deputies took the time to build personal connections with the students. On the other hand, most students lacked motivation to study and were usually laid back in relation to academics.… Read all

My school is relatively strict with its uniform and conduct, however, other than that, it was a casual school where staff and deputies took the time to build personal connections with the students. On the other hand, most students lacked motivation to study and were usually laid back in relation to academics. By the final grade, most people had set friend groups, but they would also regularly made friends outside their group.

Review Why we chose this school

We chose this college because it was lose to where we currently live. We moved a while back so it wasn't too important to choosing a school. Yes we pay the highschool fees to send my son there. It looked like a good school and I think it was worth paying for.

Review What we like and dislike

We really enjoy how friendly the culture is there. I am happy I chose a co-ed school for my son to go to because he seems to enjoy having friends with boys and girls and spends lots of time with them. If we had to change something, it would probably just be uniform prices. But I think most uniforms cost the same in schools around so.

Review What had the biggest impact

The support network. I had struggled alot through grade 11 and 12 with homelessness, they had breakfast clubs, food hampers and organised accommodation for me. They went above and beyond what was expected to help me succeed. I truly am forever grateful.

Review School culture

Traditional, evolving into modern and accepting new ideologies such as LGbt whatever it is. In the sense of diversity, I couldnt have wished for a better place to be exposed to it. There has to be students from atleast 50 different countries there, and we all exist in Harmony, which is one of the schools values.