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.
52 schools where people talk about service and leadership.
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.
All 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 evidence7 people mention it. Worth reading what they said.
Comes up in 78% of 9 reviews · 3.4× the Brisbane average (23%)
This school 78% Brisbane 23%
Of 23 comments: 21 speak well of it
23 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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Girls · Catholic · Kedron
- Fees $14,164 a year (2026, Year 12)
- Sport CaSSSA
- Median ATAR 90.55 (2025)source
- Students 985
Some evidence9 people mention it. Worth reading what they said.
0 of 1 review so far mention it
Too few reviews to compare with other schools.
Of 9 comments: 4 speak well of it
9 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 · 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)
Some evidence7 people mention it. Worth reading what they said.
Comes up in 36% of 11 reviews · 1.6× the Brisbane average (23%)
This school 36% Brisbane 23%
Of 12 comments: 8 speak well of it
9 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.
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Co-ed · Independent · Enoggera
- Fees $19,900 a year (2026, Years 7-12, all-inclusive)
- Students 924
Some evidence4 people mention it. Worth reading what they said.
1 of 2 reviews so far mention it
Too few reviews to compare with other schools.
Of 5 comments: 2 speak well of it
2 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.
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Girls · Independent · Manly West
- Fees $23,280 a year (2026, Years 11-12)
- Sport QGSSSA
- Median ATAR 87.6 (2025)source
- Students 1,182
Some evidence5 people mention it. Worth reading what they said.
1 of 2 reviews so far mention it
Too few reviews to compare with other schools.
Of 5 comments: 3 speak well of it
1 more review mention 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.
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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
Strong evidence9 separate reviews mention it, out of 22.
Comes up in 41% of 22 reviews · 1.8× the Brisbane average (23%)
This school 41% Brisbane 23%
Of 11 comments: 3 speak well of it
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… Read all
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!
2 more from Queensland Academy for Science Mathematics and Technology
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!).
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.… Read all
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.
8 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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Boys · Catholic · Coorparoo
- Fees $17,607 a year (2026, Year 12)
- Sport AIC
- Students 1,555
Some evidence5 people mention it. Worth reading what they said.
Of 5 comments: 1 speaks well of it
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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Boys · Catholic · Kedron
- Fees $14,945 a year (2026, Year 12, all-in)
- Sport AIC
- Students 1,588
Some evidence5 people mention it. Worth reading what they said.
1 of 2 reviews so far mention it
Too few reviews to compare with other schools.
Of 5 comments: 1 speaks well of it
1 more review mention 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.
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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)
Some evidence5 people mention it. Worth reading what they said.
Comes up in 33% of 12 reviews · about the Brisbane average (23%)
This school 33% Brisbane 23%
Of 6 comments: 3 speak well of it
5 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.
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Co-ed · State · Chermside West
- Fees No tuition fees (state school)
- Students 1,241
Some evidence4 people mention it. Worth reading what they said.
Comes up in 40% of 10 reviews · 1.7× the Brisbane average (23%)
This school 40% Brisbane 23%
Of 8 comments: 5 speak well of it
Review Readiness for life after school
By the time I graduated from Craigslea, I felt well-prepared for life after school. The school offered strong academic support, career guidance, and work experience opportunities that helped me plan for university and future goals. Craigslea also encouraged values like honesty, perseverance, and integrity… Read all
By the time I graduated from Craigslea, I felt well-prepared for life after school. The school offered strong academic support, career guidance, and work experience opportunities that helped me plan for university and future goals. Craigslea also encouraged values like honesty, perseverance, and integrity through leadership programs, group work, and community involvement, helping me grow both academically and personally
1 more from Craigslea State High School
Review Camps and excursions
I been for a fundraiser in the city and I was paired with someone else I never met before and we really got to know each other well, even though I am not a very socialising person. I felt confident in the whole fundraising thing as I was talking and convincing with a lot of people and me and my partner… Read all
I been for a fundraiser in the city and I was paired with someone else I never met before and we really got to know each other well, even though I am not a very socialising person. I felt confident in the whole fundraising thing as I was talking and convincing with a lot of people and me and my partner was able to take turns and try out different sales approaches even though most of them didn't work.
6 more review mentions. A free account opens them, and you don't need a card.
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Co-ed · State · Indooroopilly
- Fees No tuition fees (state school)
- Students 2,910
Strong evidence6 separate reviews mention it, out of 23.
Comes up in 26% of 23 reviews · about the Brisbane average (23%)
This school 26% Brisbane 23%
Of 8 comments: 5 speak well of it
Review Balancing academics and wellbeing
Indooroopilly State High School effectively balances academic rigor with student well-being and character development. The school offers programs like **Peer Support** and **Respectful Relationships** to foster qualities such as empathy and integrity. For example, annual community service initiatives… Read all
Indooroopilly State High School effectively balances academic rigor with student well-being and character development. The school offers programs like **Peer Support** and **Respectful Relationships** to foster qualities such as empathy and integrity. For example, annual community service initiatives (e.g., fundraising for local charities) encourage generosity. Teachers often integrate "life lessons" into subjects, such as discussing ethical dilemmas in Humanities. However, some students report stress during exam periods, suggesting room for enhanced mental health support
2 more from Indooroopilly State High School
Review Subject range and curiosity
My school offered a solid range of subject choices, especially in the sciences and humanities, but I sometimes wished there were more options in the arts or technology fields. The school encouraged curiosity through science fairs, debating competitions, and community service projects.
Review What had the biggest impact
The biggest positive impact on me was joining the leadership team. Our support staff at Indooroopilly and working with the principle and vice principle were incredibly passionate and always encouraged us to think outside the box. They caught us how to think like a leader and through experiences taught… Read all
The biggest positive impact on me was joining the leadership team. Our support staff at Indooroopilly and working with the principle and vice principle were incredibly passionate and always encouraged us to think outside the box. They caught us how to think like a leader and through experiences taught me teamwork, problem-solving, and resilience. On the negative side, I sometimes felt stressed due to the heavy workload, especially during exam periods. There were moments when I wished there was more support for managing stress, but the leadership workload coupled with exams increased my confidence and inspired me to pursue the rigorous field of engineering.
5 more review mentions. A free account opens them, and you don't need a card.
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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
Some evidence4 people mention it. Worth reading what they said.
Of 4 comments: 2 speak well of it
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.
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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