Schools in Adelaide: Guide for SA Families

Schools in Adelaide

Adelaide's school system is often described as one of Australia's most manageable: a compact city, strong neighbourhood schools, a quality Catholic education network, and an independent sector with some genuinely exceptional schools. South Australia's education structure runs Reception to Year 12 in a combined system.

Government Schools

SA government schools are administered by the Department for Education. Adelaide has one flagship selective entry school: Adelaide High School (Millswood, co-ed, Years 8-12). Entry is via the Selective Entry application process. Norwood Morialta High School and Unley High School are highly regarded comprehensive government high schools. Government primary schools vary considerably in quality depending on the suburb; inner-city, north-east, and eastern suburbs schools generally perform well on NAPLAN.

Catholic Schools

Catholic Education South Australia (CESA) operates across the archdiocese. Notable Adelaide schools include St Peter's Girls' School (Stonyfell), Loreto College (Marryatville), Sacred Heart College (Somerton Park, girls), Rostrevor College (Rostrevor, boys), and Christian Brothers College (Prospect). Many CESA schools are co-educational; a number of legacy single-sex schools remain.

Independent Schools

Adelaide's most prestigious independent schools include St Peter's College (Hackney, boys, Anglican), Pembroke School (Kensington Park, co-ed), Scotch College (Torrens Park, co-ed), Wilderness School (Medindie, girls), Walford Anglican School for Girls (Hyde Park), and Pulteney Grammar (Adelaide CBD, co-ed). Fees range from $12,000 to $32,000+. The distance between most of these schools is much smaller than in larger cities, making them more accessible from most Adelaide suburbs.

Finding and Enrolling

Government school enrolments are at education.sa.gov.au. Selective school applications close in Term 2 for the following year. Contact CESA and independent schools directly.

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