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.
21 schools where people talk about “violin”.
Also counting related words: strings, string program, orchestra, viola, cello. Schools where “violin” 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.
Mount Alvernia College
Girls · Catholic · Kedron
- Fees $14,164 a year (2026, Year 12)
- Sport CaSSSA
- Median ATAR 90.55 (2025)source
- Students 985
Some evidence2 people mention it. Worth reading what they said.
1 of 1 review so far mentions it
Too few reviews to compare with other schools.
Of 2 comments: 1 speaks well of it
1 more review mention 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.
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Boys · Catholic · Lindum
- Fees $13,784 a year (2026, Years 5-12, single all-inclusive fee)
- Sport AIC
- Students 1,802
Thin evidenceOnly one mention so far. Treat it as one person’s view.
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 evidenceNobody here says “violin” itself; 6 people mention related words.
Comes up in 17% of 36 reviews · 3.0× the Brisbane average (6%)
This school 17% Brisbane 6%
Of 6 comments: 3 speak well of it
8 of 14 former students who listed their arts activities did Orchestra / Instrumental Music
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.
5 more review mentions. Reviews and Open Day Reflections for competitive-entry state schools are part of Full Access: one $289 payment, no subscription.
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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 evidenceNobody here says “violin” itself; 4 people mention related words.
Comes up in 21% of 19 reviews · 3.8× the Brisbane average (6%)
This school 21% Brisbane 6%
Of 5 comments: 2 speak well of it
6 of 10 former students who listed their arts activities did Orchestra / Instrumental Music
5 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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Co-ed · State, competitive entry · Toowong
- Fees No tuition fees (state school)
- Median ATAR 94.75 (2025)source
- Students 1,370
Some evidenceNobody here says “violin” itself; 3 people mention related words.
Comes up in 14% of 22 reviews · 2.5× the Brisbane average (6%)
This school 14% Brisbane 6%
Of 3 comments: 1 speaks well of it · 1 raises concerns
1 of 4 former students who listed their arts activities did Orchestra / Instrumental Music
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.
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 inAll Hallows' School
Girls · Catholic · Fortitude Valley
- Fees $23,485 a year (2026, Year 12)
- Sport CaSSSA
- Median ATAR 93.4 (2025)source
- Students 1,733
Some evidenceNobody here says “violin” itself; 2 people mention related words.
Comes up in 22% of 9 reviews · 4.0× the Brisbane average (6%)
This school 22% Brisbane 6%
Of 2 comments: 1 speaks well of it
2 of 3 former students who listed their arts activities did 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.
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Boys · Independent · East Brisbane
- Fees $36,232 a year (2026, Years 11-12)
- Sport GPS
- Median ATAR 90.85 (2025)source
- Students 1,895
- Boarding (boys only)
Thin evidenceNobody here says “violin” itself; 1 person mentions related words.
Comes up in 0% of 11 reviews · Brisbane average (6%)
This school 0% Brisbane 6%
0 of 3 former students who listed their arts activities did Orchestra / Instrumental 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.
Get Full AccessSign inAviation High
Co-ed · State · Hendra
- Fees No tuition fees (state school)
- Students 629
Thin evidenceNobody here says “violin” itself; 1 person mentions related words.
Comes up in 25% of 4 reviews · 4.5× the Brisbane average (6%)
This school 25% Brisbane 6%
Of 1 comment: 1 speaks well of it
1 of 4 former students who listed their arts activities did Orchestra / Instrumental Music
Review Chances to take part in the arts
Very good - the instrumental music department is run by an incredible lady, who transformed the department from one big band and one senior band, to 6+ (probably more now) bands, ranging from a vocal group, string band, percussion ensemble and more. She did all this in just my six years at the school, by herself.
Brigidine College
Girls · Catholic · Indooroopilly
- Fees $15,092 a year (2026, Year 12)
- Sport GBC, CaSSSA
- Median ATAR 82.82 (2025)source
- Students 953
Thin evidenceNobody here says “violin” itself; 1 person mentions related words.
Comes up in 33% of 3 reviews · 6.1× the Brisbane average (6%)
This school 33% Brisbane 6%
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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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 evidenceNobody here says “violin” itself; 1 person mentions related words.
Comes up in 8% of 12 reviews · 1.5× the Brisbane average (6%)
This school 8% Brisbane 6%
Of 1 comment: 1 speaks well of it
2 of 4 former students who listed their arts activities did Orchestra / Instrumental 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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Co-ed · State · Dutton Park
- Fees No tuition fees (state school)
- Students 1,444
Thin evidenceNobody here says “violin” itself; 1 person mentions related words.
1 of 2 reviews so far mention it
Too few reviews to compare with other schools.
Of 1 comment: 1 raises concerns
Review Experience of arts activities
My child participated in the Strings Program in Year 7 but she decide to drop out in Year 8 because she can't keep up the commitment. It's more her own issue, not the lack of support. The school is not particularly strong in Arts, but still I think there are plenty of opportunities for students with talent or interest or persistence.
Canterbury College
Co-ed · Independent · Waterford
- Fees $16,544 a year (2026, Year 12)
- Sport TAS
- Median ATAR 91.4 (2025)source
- Students 1,547
Thin evidenceNobody here says “violin” itself; 1 person mentions related words.
1 of 2 reviews so far mention it
Too few reviews to compare with other schools.
Of 1 comment: 1 speaks well of it
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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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