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.
87 schools where people talk about music, drama and art.
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 evidence31 separate reviews mention it, out of 36.
Comes up in 86% of 36 reviews · about the Brisbane average (84%)
This school 86% Brisbane 84%
Of 54 comments: 20 speak well of it · 4 raise concerns
Review Experience of arts activities
My child was part of the orchestra, as well as studying drama for a few years. She really enjoyed the orchestra, but there definitely wasn't such a big focus on arts as there were sports.
2 more from Brisbane State High School
Review Subject range and curiosity
Yes, Brisbane State High offered a wide range of subject choices, from sciences and humanities to arts, music, and sport-focused electives. There were also a lot of extracurricular activities like debating, clubs, and representative sport, which helped students explore interests outside the classroom.… Read all
Yes, Brisbane State High offered a wide range of subject choices, from sciences and humanities to arts, music, and sport-focused electives. There were also a lot of extracurricular activities like debating, clubs, and representative sport, which helped students explore interests outside the classroom. Some subjects had hands-on projects or excursions, which made learning more engaging and went beyond just preparing for exams.
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.
48 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 evidence20 separate reviews mention it, out of 23.
Comes up in 87% of 23 reviews · about the Brisbane average (84%)
This school 87% Brisbane 84%
Of 46 comments: 18 speak well of it · 1 raises concerns
Review Experience of arts activities
He did when he was in grade 9 and 10, however in grade 11 and 12 he focused on the sciences and math subjects as they scaled well and he seemed to be more interested in them.
2 more from Indooroopilly State High School
Review Chances to take part in the arts
It was not applicable to me as I did not participate in these arts programs opportunities but do know students that have and they throughly enjoyed the program.
Review Expectations versus reality
The school generally meets or exceeds academic expectations, particularly in STEM and arts. For instance, the **Enhanced Learning Program (ELP)** challenges high-achievers with advanced coursework, while vocational education (VET) provides practical pathways. Some students note uneven teaching quality… Read all
The school generally meets or exceeds academic expectations, particularly in STEM and arts. For instance, the **Enhanced Learning Program (ELP)** challenges high-achievers with advanced coursework, while vocational education (VET) provides practical pathways. Some students note uneven teaching quality in elective subjects, but overall, the school’s strong NAPLAN and ATAR results reflect its academic commitment.
38 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 evidence19 separate reviews mention it, out of 22.
Comes up in 86% of 22 reviews · about the Brisbane average (84%)
This school 86% Brisbane 84%
Of 39 comments: 14 speak well of it · 5 raise concerns
Review Chances to take part in the arts
Even though subjects like music and drama weren't an option, the school encouraged artistic expression through annual events such as the Battle of the Bands and Festival of Creativity, where students performed instrumental pieces, showcased their paintings etc. Due to a high number of applications, auditions were usually required, but I don't know anyone who applied and didn't get accepted. I was part of a creative writing club, with sessions held every Friday afternoon. I, along with other members, wrote stories and shared ideas together over the course of one to two hours. The school provides opportunities to create and establish clubs if it has enough support, so this is another way that students can be involved in the arts.
8 more from Queensland Academy for Science Mathematics and Technology
Review Chances to take part in the arts
There were no drama clubs. However, the school does encourage art production as they host a popular festival of creativity once a year, which encourages students to submit artwork and to perform dances. The school also has a strings and band ensemble.
Review Readiness for life after school
I was well prepared for university after high school. In fact, my first year at university felt like a breath of fresh air in comparison to my time at QASMT. For example, at QA, due to the IB, we had to undergo the CAS program. This meant that we were required to have creative hobbies (writing, art etc.), do activity (sports) and service (volunteering, charity work etc.) on top of school. This helped to enhance personal and interpersonal development in all areas rather than just academics, which aided in preparation for university. If you're able to make it through QA's rigorous program, you'll be prepared for life after high school!
Review Subject range and curiosity
QASMT wasn't the best at variety in terms of subject choices. It was very limited, and there was a strict structure for the selection process (for example, everyone had to do a language). Additionally, in my grade at least, the school removed subject options such as the Arts in Grade 11 since there were a low number of students that did it in Grade 10. Those students were then forced to pick up another subject, such as chemistry, instead. To be fair, SMT in QASMT stands for science, maths, and technology. The subjects, therefore, reflect this in offering courses mainly in these areas. There were a lot fewer creative subjects that could be found in the other QA school, QACI (creative industries). Instead, it offered subjects such as ITGS ('information technology in a global society') which would probably not be found commonly elsewhere.
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 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!).
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 Year 12 subject choices
Biology (HL), Chemistry (HL), english (SL), economics (HL), japanese ab initio. I always liked the 2 sciences bio and chem and would not change any of my subject selections. Overall, these subjects were not too difficult to learn and score high marks in. Scaling for different subjects also does not exist for IB, so high marks in arts scales the same as in chemistry, which might be a plus for some students. Subject offered at SMT is quite limited.
Review Subject range and curiosity
There was a greater focus on STEM subjects (sciences maths) over arts and other forms of creative subjects. The subjects offered leaned towards the more objective options, tehrefore there was limited opportunities to engage in creativity.
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.
30 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 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 evidence18 separate reviews mention it, out of 19.
Comes up in 95% of 19 reviews · about the Brisbane average (84%)
This school 95% Brisbane 84%
Of 44 comments: 26 speak well of it
40 more review mentions and 4 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 inMansfield State High School
Co-ed · State, competitive entry · Mansfield
- Fees No tuition fees (state school)
- Students 3,978
Strong evidence20 separate reviews mention it, out of 28.
Comes up in 71% of 28 reviews · about the Brisbane average (84%)
This school 71% Brisbane 84%
Of 33 comments: 16 speak well of it · 1 mixed
Review Experience of arts activities
My child was a member of the school band and also greatly enjoyed it. He got to play many different enjoyable songs and showcased his ability at many different stages outside and inside of school. The teachers are extremely talented and there is a large variety of instruments for the students to play.
2 more from Mansfield State High School
Review Chances to take part in the arts
My school offered diverse arts programs, including music, drama, and visual arts, fostering creativity with supportive teachers and opportunities.
Review Support for students who struggle
There is an okay level of support for students who struggle with learning, as the school only provides them with a teacher to support them. They do not provide much encouragement to try to learn and just offer them guidance and support.
25 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 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 evidence14 separate reviews mention it, out of 18.
Comes up in 78% of 18 reviews · about the Brisbane average (84%)
This school 78% Brisbane 84%
Of 33 comments: 21 speak well of it · 1 mixed · 1 raises concerns
32 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 inNorthside Christian College
Co-ed · Independent · Everton Park
- Fees $14,855 a year (2026, Year 12, first child, all-in)
- Students 1,258
Strong evidence14 separate reviews mention it, out of 15.
Comes up in 93% of 15 reviews · about the Brisbane average (84%)
This school 93% Brisbane 84%
Of 29 comments: 10 speak well of it · 1 mixed · 2 raise concerns
29 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 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 evidence14 separate reviews mention it, out of 15.
Comes up in 93% of 15 reviews · about the Brisbane average (84%)
This school 93% Brisbane 84%
Of 24 comments: 11 speak well of it · 4 raise concerns
24 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 inQueensland Academy for Creative Industries
Co-ed · State, competitive entry · Kelvin Grove
- Fees No tuition fees (state school)
- Students 437
Some evidence14 people mention it. Worth reading what they said.
Comes up in 100% of 5 reviews · about the Brisbane average (84%)
This school 100% Brisbane 84%
Of 34 comments: 15 speak well of it · 1 raises concerns
Review Chances to take part in the arts
They have so so many opportunities for the arts. They have amazing art studios with great resources. They have drama studios and a great theatre. They have good film technology. For music they have an array of instruments and recording studios which students even used to produce their own music. They… Read all
They have so so many opportunities for the arts. They have amazing art studios with great resources. They have drama studios and a great theatre. They have good film technology. For music they have an array of instruments and recording studios which students even used to produce their own music. They have showcase nights for all the arts.
2 more from Queensland Academy for Creative Industries
Review Chances to take part in the arts
In Year 11, students can choose to specialise in one or two arts subjects. Being a music student, I thought the opportunities were really cool (eg; getting a professional string quartet to play your composition) and loved the recording studio. Other disciplines also always had their own events like theatre… Read all
In Year 11, students can choose to specialise in one or two arts subjects. Being a music student, I thought the opportunities were really cool (eg; getting a professional string quartet to play your composition) and loved the recording studio. Other disciplines also always had their own events like theatre performances and art showcases. It was nice to see other students work. Albeit, it is important to note that while there is this creative freedom, it is still limited by the IB guidelines and assessments.
Review Year 12 subject choices
I did Math AA HL, Lang and Lit HL, French ab initio, Dance HL, Psychology HL, ESS SL and TOK. I liked all my subjects, I wish I did a different science but I really enjoyed ESS because the environment is very important to me but other sciences would help me more in uni. I think I liked learning all the subjects and I was good at them.
13 more review mentions and 9 more Open Day Reflections. Reviews and Open Day Reflections for competitive-entry state schools are part of Full Access: one $289 payment, no subscription.
Get Full AccessSign inBrisbane Girls Grammar School
Girls · Independent · Spring Hill
- Fees $34,088 a year (2026, Years 7-12, all-inclusive)
- Sport QGSSSA
- Median ATAR 96.45 (2025)source
- Students 1,792
Strong evidence13 separate reviews mention it, out of 15.
Comes up in 87% of 15 reviews · about the Brisbane average (84%)
This school 87% Brisbane 84%
Of 19 comments: 7 speak well of it
18 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 inBrisbane Boys' College
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 evidence11 separate reviews mention it, out of 12.
Comes up in 92% of 12 reviews · about the Brisbane average (84%)
This school 92% Brisbane 84%
Of 21 comments: 9 speak well of it
17 more review mentions and 4 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 inBrisbane Grammar School
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 evidence10 separate reviews mention it, out of 12.
Comes up in 83% of 12 reviews · about the Brisbane average (84%)
This school 83% Brisbane 84%
Of 22 comments: 11 speak well of it
17 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.
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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