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.
89 schools where people talk about the school overall.
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.
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
Strong evidence36 separate reviews mention it, out of 36.
Comes up in 100% of 36 reviews · about the Brisbane average (100%)
This school 100% Brisbane 100%
Of 106 comments: 67 speak well of it · 4 mixed · 7 raise concerns
Review Would you recommend it?
Yes, I would recommend Brisbane State High School. It offers a lot of opportunities, both academically and through extracurricular activities like sport, music, and clubs. The school has a strong reputation, great facilities, and a diverse student community. It can be competitive and fast-paced, but… Read all
Yes, I would recommend Brisbane State High School. It offers a lot of opportunities, both academically and through extracurricular activities like sport, music, and clubs. The school has a strong reputation, great facilities, and a diverse student community. It can be competitive and fast-paced, but if you’re motivated, it’s a great environment to grow in.
2 more from Brisbane State High School
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
100 more review mentions. Reviews and Open Day Reflections for competitive-entry state schools are part of Full Access: one $289 payment, no subscription.
Get Full AccessSign inMansfield State High School
Co-ed · State, competitive entry · Mansfield
- Fees No tuition fees (state school)
- Students 3,978
Strong evidence28 separate reviews mention it, out of 28.
Comes up in 100% of 28 reviews · about the Brisbane average (100%)
This school 100% Brisbane 100%
Of 81 comments: 52 speak well of it · 8 mixed · 10 raise concerns
Review Compared with other schools
The school uses many different apps and portals for online learning such as education perfect, acer, and other school portals for uniform or tuck shop. This provides the students with simple ways to access learning or other needs, proving to be highly effective.
2 more from Mansfield State High School
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.
75 more review mentions. Reviews and Open Day Reflections for competitive-entry state schools are part of Full Access: one $289 payment, no subscription.
Get Full AccessSign inIndooroopilly State High School
Co-ed · State · Indooroopilly
- Fees No tuition fees (state school)
- Students 2,910
Strong evidence23 separate reviews mention it, out of 23.
Comes up in 100% of 23 reviews · about the Brisbane average (100%)
This school 100% Brisbane 100%
Of 64 comments: 50 speak well of it · 5 mixed · 3 raise concerns
Review Compared with other schools
Indooroopilly integrates technology well but could improve: Interactive whiteboards and BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) policies enhance learning. The Q parents app is nice although more training for parents on digital tools and upgrading Wi-Fi infrastructure Would be recommended.
2 more from Indooroopilly State High School
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.
59 more review mentions. A free account opens them, and you don't need a card.
Create free accountSign inQueensland Academy for Science Mathematics and Technology
Co-ed · State, competitive entry · Toowong
- Fees No tuition fees (state school)
- Median ATAR 94.75 (2025)source
- Students 1,370
Strong evidence22 separate reviews mention it, out of 22.
Comes up in 100% of 22 reviews · about the Brisbane average (100%)
This school 100% Brisbane 100%
Of 64 comments: 36 speak well of it · 12 mixed · 4 raise concerns
Review Would you recommend it?
QASMT is a school where the experience greatly depends on your character. It is fast-paced, competitive and highly academic-focused. If you thrive in these environments and are disciplined and self-motivated, I would highly recommend QA to you. Not only are you surrounded by like-minded students whose… Read all
QASMT is a school where the experience greatly depends on your character. It is fast-paced, competitive and highly academic-focused. If you thrive in these environments and are disciplined and self-motivated, I would highly recommend QA to you. Not only are you surrounded by like-minded students whose focus is all on achieving good grades, which in turn motivates you to work harder, but the school provides an abundance of academic-based opportunities such as clubs and events to increase your knowledge. On the other hand, if you tend to procrastinate or are not very disciplined, QASMT will likely be more harmful than good. It is incredibly easy to fall behind on studies due to the difficult nature of the IB program, and I, along with many others, were burnt out and sleep-deprived, particularly in the senior years. The IB program demands much more than the ATAR system- we have to write an extended essay, do philosophy (TOK) and undergo the CAS (creativity, activity, service) program on top of the six regular subjects. Additionally, the subjects offered at QA are much more restricting than other schools. Ultimately, whether I recommend QASMT depends on the person. If you work well under high pressure and can stay on top of your studies, then I would recommend it as it provides an environment where you can shine. On the other hand, it is incredibly demanding and stressful, so if you struggle with procrastination or do not care much for academics, then QASMT is not for you (and that's okay!).
2 more from Queensland Academy for Science Mathematics and Technology
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… Read all
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… Read all
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.
58 more review mentions. Reviews and Open Day Reflections for competitive-entry state schools are part of Full Access: one $289 payment, no subscription.
Get Full AccessSign inKelvin Grove State College
Co-ed · State · Kelvin Grove
- Fees No tuition fees (state school)
- Students 3,646
Strong evidence19 separate reviews mention it, out of 19.
Comes up in 100% of 19 reviews · about the Brisbane average (100%)
This school 100% Brisbane 100%
Of 57 comments: 39 speak well of it · 3 mixed · 5 raise concerns
Review Would you recommend it?
I would recommend kg to a certain extent as the school is not very accomodating when it comes to changing subjects, as I had requested a subject change, had to follow up and chase the school regarding it two times and they ensured it’s in process, when ultimately they never got back to me after that and I never got to change. They do not treat students equally and favour particular students over others. Unfortunately kg focuses more on uniform and their image more than the actual students, which is a major flaw in my opinion. Other than that the teachers I had in my last years were really nice and helpful.
5 more from Kelvin Grove State College
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
We picked this school for our children as it was the closest school and I work 12 hours a day so it was the easiest option. There was a small fee we had to pay each year but it gradually increased every year. Two of my children attended from grade 6-12 while another child attended from prep to grade 12.
Review What we like and dislike
I like the fact that it is nearby because drop off and pick up is easy for me but before school and after school is a nightmare as it is so busy and the pickoff and drop off zone only fits 6 cars when there are over 300 cars waiting for their children.
Review School culture
It can be both depending on which teachers are around. I remember a student had to go hand in their phone to the office because they were caught on it in the last 5 mins of class (it was 2:55, we were about to go home anyways). It was definitely harder to make friends in the last year as everyone stuck with their own groups and no one was really inviting.
51 more review mentions. A free account opens them, and you don't need a card.
Create free accountSign inSt Peters Lutheran College
Co-ed · Independent · Indooroopilly
- Fees $26,786 a year (2026, Years 10-12 day students)
- Sport QGSSSA (girls), AIC (boys)
- Median ATAR 90.5 (2025)source
- Students 2,302
- Boarding
Strong evidence19 separate reviews mention it, out of 19.
Comes up in 100% of 19 reviews · about the Brisbane average (100%)
This school 100% Brisbane 100%
Of 52 comments: 39 speak well of it · 4 mixed · 1 raises concerns
51 more review mentions and 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.
Get Full AccessSign inSt 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
Strong evidence18 separate reviews mention it, out of 18.
Comes up in 100% of 18 reviews · about the Brisbane average (100%)
This school 100% Brisbane 100%
Of 50 comments: 39 speak well of it · 2 mixed · 2 raise concerns
45 more review mentions and 5 more Open Day Reflections. Reviews and Open Day Reflections for independent and Catholic schools are part of Full Access: one $289 payment, no subscription.
Get Full AccessSign inNorthside Christian College
Co-ed · Independent · Everton Park
- Fees $14,855 a year (2026, Year 12, first child, all-in)
- Students 1,258
Strong evidence15 separate reviews mention it, out of 15.
Comes up in 100% of 15 reviews · about the Brisbane average (100%)
This school 100% Brisbane 100%
Of 44 comments: 26 speak well of it · 3 mixed · 2 raise concerns
44 more review mentions. Reviews and Open Day Reflections for independent and Catholic schools are part of Full Access: one $289 payment, no subscription.
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Boys · Independent · Spring Hill
- Fees $37,960 a year (2026, Years 7-12)
- Sport GPS
- Median ATAR 95 (2025)source
- Students 2,021
- Boarding (boys only)
Strong evidence12 separate reviews mention it, out of 12.
Comes up in 100% of 12 reviews · about the Brisbane average (100%)
This school 100% Brisbane 100%
Of 40 comments: 27 speak well of it · 1 mixed
34 more review mentions and 6 more Open Day Reflections. Reviews and Open Day Reflections for independent and Catholic schools are part of Full Access: one $289 payment, no subscription.
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Boys · Independent · Toowong
- Fees $36,492 a year (2026, Years 7-12)
- Sport GPS
- Median ATAR 90.05 (2025)source
- Students 1,314
- Boarding (boys only)
Strong evidence12 separate reviews mention it, out of 12.
Comes up in 100% of 12 reviews · about the Brisbane average (100%)
This school 100% Brisbane 100%
Of 39 comments: 26 speak well of it · 4 mixed
36 more review mentions and 3 more Open Day Reflections. Reviews and Open Day Reflections for independent and Catholic schools are part of Full Access: one $289 payment, no subscription.
Get Full AccessSign inCannon 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
Strong evidence15 separate reviews mention it, out of 15.
Comes up in 100% of 15 reviews · about the Brisbane average (100%)
This school 100% Brisbane 100%
Of 37 comments: 22 speak well of it · 7 mixed · 3 raise concerns
37 more review mentions. Reviews and Open Day Reflections for independent and Catholic schools are part of Full Access: one $289 payment, no subscription.
Get Full AccessSign inCorinda State High School
Co-ed · State · Corinda
- Fees No tuition fees (state school)
- Students 2,123
Strong evidence13 separate reviews mention it, out of 13.
Comes up in 100% of 13 reviews · about the Brisbane average (100%)
This school 100% Brisbane 100%
Of 37 comments: 19 speak well of it · 3 mixed · 3 raise concerns
Review Compared with other schools
The school uses technology in classrooms, but it could be more consistent. For example, there are online resources and platforms for students, but communication with parents could be improved—more regular updates and clearer use of digital tools would help.
2 more from Corinda State High School
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.
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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