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.
22 schools where people talk about “music” and academic pressure and results.
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.
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
Some evidence3 people mention it. Worth reading what they said.
Comes up in 17% of 18 reviews · 2.7× the Brisbane average (6%)
This school 17% Brisbane 6%
Of 4 comments: 2 speak well of it
5 of 9 former students who listed their arts activities did Choir / Vocal Performance or Orchestra / Instrumental Music
4 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 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
Some evidence4 people mention it. Worth reading what they said.
Comes up in 16% of 19 reviews · 2.5× the Brisbane average (6%)
This school 16% Brisbane 6%
Of 4 comments: 1 speaks well of it
9 of 10 former students who listed their arts activities did Choir / Vocal Performance or Orchestra / Instrumental Music
3 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 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
Some evidence4 people mention it. Worth reading what they said.
Comes up in 11% of 36 reviews · 1.8× the Brisbane average (6%)
This school 11% Brisbane 6%
8 of 14 former students who listed their arts activities did Choir / Vocal Performance or Orchestra / Instrumental Music
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.
1 more from Brisbane State High School
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 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 inNorthside Christian College
Co-ed · Independent · Everton Park
- Fees $14,855 a year (2026, Year 12, first child, all-in)
- Students 1,258
Some evidence3 people mention it. Worth reading what they said.
Comes up in 20% of 15 reviews · 3.2× the Brisbane average (6%)
This school 20% Brisbane 6%
Of 3 comments: 2 speak well of it
2 of 9 former students who listed their arts activities did Choir / Vocal Performance or Orchestra / Instrumental Music
3 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 inMansfield 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 · about the Brisbane average (6%)
This school 7% Brisbane 6%
Of 3 comments: 3 speak well of it
3 of 9 former students who listed their arts activities did Choir / Vocal Performance or Orchestra / Instrumental Music
3 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 inWest Moreton Anglican College
Co-ed · Independent · Karrabin
- Fees $16,936 a year (2026, Years 11-12 compulsory total, all-inclusive)
- Sport TAS
- Students 1,496
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.
Of 2 comments: 2 speak well of it
2 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)
Thin evidenceOnly one mention so far. Treat it as one person’s view.
Comes up in 8% of 12 reviews · about the Brisbane average (6%)
This school 8% Brisbane 6%
Of 2 comments: 1 speaks well of it
3 of 4 former students who listed their arts activities did Choir / Vocal Performance or Orchestra / Instrumental Music
2 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 inSan Sisto College
Girls · Catholic · Carina
- Fees $7,889 a year (2026, Year 12)
- Sport CaSSSA
- Students 810
Thin evidenceOnly one mention so far. Treat it as one person’s view.
Comes up in 20% of 5 reviews · 3.2× the Brisbane average (6%)
This school 20% Brisbane 6%
Of 2 comments: 1 speaks well of it
4 of 4 former students who listed their arts activities did Choir / Vocal Performance or Orchestra / Instrumental Music
2 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 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
Some evidence2 people mention it. Worth reading what they said.
Comes up in 9% of 22 reviews · about the Brisbane average (6%)
This school 9% Brisbane 6%
Of 2 comments: 1 speaks well of it
1 of 4 former students who listed their arts activities did Choir / Vocal Performance or Orchestra / Instrumental Music
Review School culture
…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… Read all
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.
1 more review mention. Reviews and Open Day Reflections for competitive-entry state schools are part of Full Access: one $289 payment, no subscription.
Get Full AccessSign inCleveland District State High School
Co-ed · State · Cleveland
- Fees No tuition fees (state school)
- Students 2,415
Thin evidenceOnly one mention so far. Treat it as one person’s view.
Comes up in 11% of 9 reviews · 1.8× the Brisbane average (6%)
This school 11% Brisbane 6%
Of 1 comment: 1 speaks well of it
0 of 3 former students who listed their arts activities did Choir / Vocal Performance or Orchestra / Instrumental Music
1 more review mention. A free account opens it, and you don't need a card.
Create free accountSign inMacGregor State High School
Co-ed · State · MacGregor
- Fees No tuition fees (state school)
- Students 1,352
Thin evidenceOnly one mention so far. Treat it as one person’s view.
Comes up in 25% of 4 reviews · 4.0× the Brisbane average (6%)
This school 25% Brisbane 6%
1 more review mention. A free account opens it, and you don't need a card.
Create free accountSign inWhites Hill State College
Co-ed · State · Camp Hill
- Fees No tuition fees (state school)
- Students 895
Thin evidenceOnly one mention so far. Treat it as one person’s view.
Comes up in 33% of 3 reviews · 5.3× the Brisbane average (6%)
This school 33% Brisbane 6%
Of 1 comment: 1 speaks well of it
Review Chances to take part in the arts
I didn't engage in these subjects, but I had friends who did and I was a member of the music club. The opportunities to participate in arts programs were vast and diverse; the school promoted these subjects a lot and hosted many large events to showcase the creative talents of our students, such as expo… Read all
I didn't engage in these subjects, but I had friends who did and I was a member of the music club. The opportunities to participate in arts programs were vast and diverse; the school promoted these subjects a lot and hosted many large events to showcase the creative talents of our students, such as expo nights and live music and art nights. The music department in particular was amazing; the teacher organised a music club where students could simply come along and play music with all the different instruments. My friends and I, along with the teacher, would often come down and play songs together and engage in our passion and hobby of music, which was a really great way to take a step back from the academic workload.
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