In their words

Which schools suit what your child loves?

Search for a sport, instrument, subject or worry to see which Brisbane schools people mention it at, and what they said. Tick up to three schools to compare them.

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10 schools where people talk about “music” and honest downsides.

Also counting related words: band, orchestra, choir, instrumental, ensemble. Schools where “music” itself comes up are listed first.

Order:Best matchMost talked aboutLowest feesA to Z

How we work these numbers out
  • Order. “Best match” puts schools where your exact word comes up first. “Most talked about” uses the share of reviews that mention it. Neither is a ranking of how good a school is.
  • Comes up in X% of reviews is the share of the school's reviews that mention your search. The Brisbane average is the same share across all Brisbane schools.
  • Speak well, mixed or raise concerns is worked out by software, using only the sentences about your search. It's right most of the time but not always, so read what people said.
  • What students did comes from the sports and activities former students ticked in their review. We show it when at least 3 answered.
  • Evidence is strong when 5 or more of at least 10 reviews mention it, some when 2 or more people do, and thin when only one person does.
  • Facts such as fees, ATAR and enrolments come from each school's own documents. Fees cover different year levels at different schools, so compare carefully.
  • Open Day Reflections come from our visits to 2026 open days. They're useful, but they reflect the school's own voice.
  1. Mansfield State High School

    Co-ed · State, competitive entry · Mansfield

    • Fees No tuition fees (state school)
    • Students 3,978

    Some evidence2 people mention it. Worth reading what they said.

    Comes up in 7% of 28 reviews · 3.9× the Brisbane average (2%)

    This school 7% Brisbane 2%

    Of 2 comments: 2 speak well of it

    3 of 9 former students who listed their arts activities did Choir / Vocal Performance or Orchestra / Instrumental Music

    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 Former student: “a really big music program at Mansfield. The only thing I don’t like was the pressure to perform. People were…”

    1 more review mention. Reviews and Open Day Reflections for competitive-entry state schools are part of Full Access: one $289 payment, no subscription.

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  2. Villanova College

    Boys · Catholic · Coorparoo

    • Fees $17,607 a year (2026, Year 12)
    • Sport AIC
    • Students 1,555

    Thin evidenceOnly one mention so far. Treat it as one person’s view.

    • Open Day Reflection Senior student: “…school. They're trying and focusing on all areas – sport, music,”

    1 more Open Day Reflection. Reviews and Open Day Reflections for independent and Catholic schools are part of Full Access: one $289 payment, no subscription.

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  3. St Joseph’s College (Gregory Terrace)

    Boys · Catholic · Spring Hill

    • Fees $26,439 a year (2026, Years 7-12)
    • Sport GPS
    • Median ATAR 93.35 (2024)source
    • Students 1,959

    Thin evidenceOnly one mention so far. Treat it as one person’s view.

    Comes up in 6% of 18 reviews · 3.1× the Brisbane average (2%)

    This school 6% Brisbane 2%

    Of 1 comment: 1 speaks well of it

    5 of 9 former students who listed their arts activities did Choir / Vocal Performance or Orchestra / Instrumental Music

    • Review Former student: “History Economics Accounting General Maths Music English I didn’t like maths so i did general, english and…”

    1 more review mention. Reviews and Open Day Reflections for independent and Catholic schools are part of Full Access: one $289 payment, no subscription.

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  4. Brisbane State High School

    Co-ed · State, competitive entry · South Brisbane

    • Fees No tuition fees (state school)
    • Sport GPS (boys), QGSSSA (girls)
    • Median ATAR 94.4 (2025)source
    • Students 3,569

    Thin evidenceOnly one mention so far. Treat it as one person’s view.

    Comes up in 3% of 36 reviews · 1.6× the Brisbane average (2%)

    This school 3% Brisbane 2%

    Of 1 comment: 1 speaks well of it

    8 of 14 former students who listed their arts activities did Choir / Vocal Performance or Orchestra / Instrumental Music

    • Review Former student: “Specialist Physics Engineering Literature Music Extension The maths, physics and engineering was for a STEM career.…”

    1 more review mention. Reviews and Open Day Reflections for competitive-entry state schools are part of Full Access: one $289 payment, no subscription.

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  5. Cannon Hill Anglican College

    Co-ed · Independent · Cannon Hill

    • Fees $21,456 a year (2026, Years 7-12, all-inclusive single tuition fee)
    • Sport TAS
    • Students 1,364

    Thin evidenceOnly one mention so far. Treat it as one person’s view.

    Comes up in 7% of 15 reviews · 3.7× the Brisbane average (2%)

    This school 7% Brisbane 2%

    Of 1 comment: 1 raises concerns

    7 of 10 former students who listed their arts activities did Choir / Vocal Performance or Orchestra / Instrumental Music

    • Review Parent: “…is extremely close to our home. We, however, dislike the music”

    1 more review mention. Reviews and Open Day Reflections for independent and Catholic schools are part of Full Access: one $289 payment, no subscription.

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  6. Citipointe Christian College

    Co-ed · Independent · Carindale

    • Fees $16,164 a year (2026, Years 10-12, all-inclusive)
    • Sport ISC
    • Median ATAR 88.15 (2025)source
    • Students 1,764

    Thin evidenceOnly one mention so far. Treat it as one person’s view.

    Comes up in 13% of 8 reviews · 6.9× the Brisbane average (2%)

    This school 13% Brisbane 2%

    Of 1 comment: 1 speaks well of it

    5 of 5 former students who listed their arts activities did Choir / Vocal Performance or Orchestra / Instrumental Music

    • Review Parent: “…offers a range of opportunities, from drama clubs to music programs, and they’ve really supported the students by…”

    1 more review mention. Reviews and Open Day Reflections for independent and Catholic schools are part of Full Access: one $289 payment, no subscription.

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  7. Indooroopilly State High School

    Co-ed · State · Indooroopilly

    • Fees No tuition fees (state school)
    • Students 2,910

    Thin evidenceOnly one mention so far. Treat it as one person’s view.

    Comes up in 4% of 23 reviews · 2.4× the Brisbane average (2%)

    This school 4% Brisbane 2%

    Of 1 comment: 1 speaks well of it

    2 of 3 former students who listed their arts activities did Choir / Vocal Performance or Orchestra / Instrumental Music

    Review What we like and dislike

    …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… 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.

  8. Somerville House

    Girls · Independent · South Brisbane

    • Fees $31,872 a year (2026, Years 7-12 compulsory total, all-inclusive)
    • Sport QGSSSA
    • Median ATAR 91.6 (2025)source
    • Students 1,387
    • Boarding (girls only)

    Thin evidenceOnly one mention so far. Treat it as one person’s view.

    Comes up in 20% of 5 reviews · 11× the Brisbane average (2%)

    This school 20% Brisbane 2%

    • Review Former student: “…better but I think the school is working on improving its music”

    1 more review mention. Reviews and Open Day Reflections for independent and Catholic schools are part of Full Access: one $289 payment, no subscription.

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  9. St Joseph's Nudgee College

    Boys · Catholic · Boondall

    • Fees $25,035 a year (2026, Year 12)
    • Sport GPS
    • Median ATAR 88.6 (2025)source
    • Students 1,720
    • Boarding (boys only)

    Thin evidenceOnly one mention so far. Treat it as one person’s view.

    Comes up in 0% of 4 reviews · Brisbane average (2%)

    This school 0% Brisbane 2%

    • Open Day Reflection Year 11 student: “…of people for everyone […] there's a lot of art stuff, music stuff […] I feel like the sport gets a spotlight, which I…”

    1 more Open Day Reflection. Reviews and Open Day Reflections for independent and Catholic schools are part of Full Access: one $289 payment, no subscription.

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  10. Victoria Point State High School

    Co-ed · State · Victoria Point

    • Fees No tuition fees (state school)
    • Students 1,135

    Thin evidenceOnly one mention so far. Treat it as one person’s view.

    1 of 2 reviews so far mention it

    Too few reviews to compare with other schools.

    Review Year 12 subject choices

    i did general english, essential maths, ancient history, japanese, music, and biology. i love biology but i kind of regret choosing it as i had a really strict teacher in year 12 (different from year 10 and 11) and my friend and i didn’t like her that much and preferred the other teacher. she always… Read all

    i did general english, essential maths, ancient history, japanese, music, and biology. i love biology but i kind of regret choosing it as i had a really strict teacher in year 12 (different from year 10 and 11) and my friend and i didn’t like her that much and preferred the other teacher. she always gave me C’s even when i thought i did good (she was a HOD so no surprise). I also regret choosing japanese as even though i loved doing it, we got a teacher who was new to teaching high schoolers and was just really bad at teaching so we learnt basically nothing for the last 2 years of school.

Reviews come from parents and former students whose link to the school we've checked. Open Day Reflections come from our recordings at 2026 open days. Words in [brackets] were unclear, and […] marks a skipped part. They reflect the school's own voice, so read them alongside the reviews. How reviews work