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.
88 schools where people talk about getting extra help.
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 43 comments: 19 speak well of it · 4 raise concerns
Review Getting extra help
Teachers were generally approachable and willing to help if you reached out. There were also lunchtime tutorials and study sessions for subjects like Maths and English, which made a big difference. Some teachers went out of their way to check in or explain things one-on-one, but you did have to take… Read all
Teachers were generally approachable and willing to help if you reached out. There were also lunchtime tutorials and study sessions for subjects like Maths and English, which made a big difference. Some teachers went out of their way to check in or explain things one-on-one, but you did have to take the initiative. Peer support and study groups were pretty common too.
1 more from Brisbane State High School
Review Support for students who struggle
The school was not always great at helping students who needed a seperate room for exams which was an issue, but they did have academic advisors and guidance counscellors
41 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 30 comments: 12 speak well of it · 1 mixed · 2 raise concerns
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.
2 more from Mansfield State High School
Review Getting extra help
Teachers were generally accessible and willing to help students struggling in core subjects. They offered extra support through after-school sessions, one-on-one guidance, and helpful resources. Peer tutoring and study groups also played a role in assisting students. The supportive environment made it… Read all
Teachers were generally accessible and willing to help students struggling in core subjects. They offered extra support through after-school sessions, one-on-one guidance, and helpful resources. Peer tutoring and study groups also played a role in assisting students. The supportive environment made it easier to seek help and improve understanding.
Review Balancing academics and wellbeing
I think that the school does an okay job, as they do provide counselling for students who are struggling with mental although the councillors do seem to have little to no effect, as previous students have said they are useless and don’t help at all.
27 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 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 35 comments: 10 speak well of it · 7 raise concerns
Review Getting extra help
A benefit to QASMT is that it provides a lot of academic support. Tutoring with alumni, and peer mentoring during lunchtime and after school were all offered and encouraged. Teachers cared about the students' learning and would often give up lunchtimes and after-school hours to aid students in their education. If students weren't passing their courses, they would be required to undergo mandatory tutoring. Similarly, the school would reach out through email to students with low grades to offer help and resources.
6 more from Queensland Academy for Science Mathematics and Technology
Review Getting extra help
Very accessible. There are plenty of support systems SMT students had access to. Not only did they run peer tutoring sessions during lunchtime, but also students often visited teachers during the teacher-run tutorials during break times. Along with that teachers often host after school or before school classes to provide additional support to students. THe school also hires alumnis to share study tips, and even to teach students after school.
Review Preparing for entry
I did not do any specific preparation solely for the entrance exam. However, in the years leading up to the exam, I took tutoring classes including both private and public ones like Kumon. As the exam tested academic areas including writing and mathematics skills, I would say tutoring was especially helpful.
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 Preparing for entry
Although the entrance exam was a academic competitive selection process, the exams for QA are difficult to prepare and get tutoring for. As maths was my strong subject, I did not receive external help on that but rather just focused on refining my ability to write under short times. As for the interview, it was mainly for the school to get to know you as a student, and it is almost impossible to fail the interview stage.
Review Something only students would know
Some things unique to the school is that doing QA/IB is a lot different from ATAR curriculum, in that there is a lot of independent learning that needs to be done. Therefore, I would not recommend the school for students who struggles to understand concepts or work off/ search for their own online resources. Furthermore, diversity is really big in QA, so there is a huge emphasise on sharing cultures and celebrating differences, which I really enjoyed. Extracurricular activities such as robotics are also very popular in QA, and students often spend their lunch times either attending the clubs for these activities, or involving themselves in clubs for service, or even beekeeping. The SMT community is also very small and everyone basically knows eachother. Students are also very willing to help others.
28 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 27 comments: 13 speak well of it
Review Support for students who struggle
Indooroopilly provides robust support for struggling students, including: Technology aids School mental support workers Councillors
1 more from Indooroopilly State High School
Review Getting extra help
Teachers at my school were generally very accessible if you needed extra help. Most offered after-school tutoring sessions or were willing to meet during lunch breaks. For example, my Maths Methods teacher held weekly revision classes for anyone who was struggling, and there was also a peer mentoring… Read all
Teachers at my school were generally very accessible if you needed extra help. Most offered after-school tutoring sessions or were willing to meet during lunch breaks. For example, my Maths Methods teacher held weekly revision classes for anyone who was struggling, and there was also a peer mentoring program where older students helped younger ones.
25 more review mentions. A free account opens them, and you don't need a card.
Create free accountSign 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 21 comments: 13 speak well of it · 2 raise concerns
Review Getting extra help
I think there was after school help on a few days with tutors from uni so they could get help from there, help from teachers honestly depends on how much they want to help because I know some teachers wouldn’t help outside of class time or say to study independently however if you had a good teacher… Read all
I think there was after school help on a few days with tutors from uni so they could get help from there, help from teachers honestly depends on how much they want to help because I know some teachers wouldn’t help outside of class time or say to study independently however if you had a good teacher sometimes they would start class 30mins early for anyone seeking extra help.
2 more from Kelvin Grove State College
Review Support for students who struggle
I’m not too sure about this one. My children were all pretty quiet and reserved so they didn’t like getting extra help unfortunately.
Review Year 12 subject choices
Yes I wish I could’ve successfully changed out of my legal studies class to do accounting or chemistry as I am now struggling in uni as I didn’t take chemistry during school. Unfortunately the school isn’t very accomodating
18 more review mentions. A free account opens them, and you don't need a card.
Create free accountSign 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 21 comments: 15 speak well of it
20 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 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 20 comments: 9 speak well of it
20 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 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 20 comments: 8 speak well of it · 3 raise concerns
20 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 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 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 16 comments: 8 speak well of it · 1 raises concerns
15 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 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 17 comments: 8 speak well of it · 1 raises concerns
17 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 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 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 16 comments: 8 speak well of it
13 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 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 15 comments: 4 speak well of it · 3 raise concerns
Review Support for students who struggle
The support for struggling students was limited. While there were some resources, it didn’t feel like enough to help students who needed extra attention. My child was one of them in year 7 and had to get her own tutor
2 more from Corinda State High School
Review Getting extra help
The teachers were extremely accessible when it came to providing support. At least in my experience, they had always encouraged us to reach out if needed and would also always be willing to have private conversations if needed.
Review Expectations versus reality
I expected strong academics, and the school delivered that, but it lacked personalized support for struggling students. It focused more on grades than overall growth.
11 more review mentions. A free account opens them, and you don't need a card.
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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