When it comes to choosing schools for a top-notch education, Glen Waverley in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs has a clear edge.

The 3150 postcode boasts several high-achieving primary and secondary state schools, independent schools plus a sought-after private school.

The suburb has long been a top destination for families seeking a quality education for their children, especially through the affordable state school system.

Prep-to-Primary 

Glendal Primary was recently listed among nine state primary schools with a perfect ranking of 100 for excellence in literacy and numeracy skills by the independent Better Education website. Mount View and Camelot Rise primary schools had scores of 99.

The site provides informative and comparative school results, school rankings or ratings and lists best-performing schools.

Glendal has a large enrolment of pupils who speak two languages at home and offers French and Mandarin studies and has almost 900 pupils.

At Mount View, more than 97 per cent of Prep to Year 6 students were working at or above age expected standards in English in 2020.

The school with just over 1000 pupils was established in 1965 and a neighbourhood boundary was introduced in 2011. 

It offers a deaf facility and specialist physical education, visual arts, plus performing arts and languages (Mandarin) learning programmes. It is also accredited as an International Baccalaureate World School.

Three other primary schools in the suburb also performed well in the Better Education rankings with a score of 98, and they were St Christopher’s and St Leonard’s Catholic, and Highvale. 

St Leonard’s was established in 1959 and has around 270 students while St Christopher’s has a smaller enrolment.

Highvale Primary is equipped with modern facilities, contemporary curriculum and has about 250 students with access to specialist programs including German and Mandarin languages, and visual and performing arts.

Another sought-after school is the Glen Waverley campus of Wesley College.  This junior school features state-of-the-art facilities and strong academic tradition and attracts many families seeking a high-achieving educational institution.

Secondary Colleges

There are several choice schools in the area when primary school children transition to senior level. 

Highvale Secondary has an enrolment of 1100 including international students and it features a multicultural student enrolment, well-equipped VCE study centre and an after-school tutoring program.

The college has a close association with Monash University and students can complete enhancement programs involving study of a first-year university course.

Wesley College’s senior campus offers extensive sports facilities including five ovals, an indoor pool, gymnasium, athletics track, tennis and netball courts, hockey pitches and a rowing centre. 

The college has a strong music, visual arts and performing arts program with facilities ranging from rehearsal rooms and recital spaces to a dedicated visual arts centre and a 600-audience performance hall.

It is an International Baccalaureate World School and also offers the VCE pathways, with 46 per cent of students attaining an ATAR of 90 and above. The college has boarding facilities for students from across Australia and around the world.

Nestled in the heart of the suburb’s commercial and shopping district is Glen Waverley Secondary College (GWSC), which has nearly 2000 students.

The school has long been a magnet for families seeking an affordable quality public education and is listed among top-performing state schools in the VCE.

In 2020, seven students from the school achieved an ATAR of 99-plus and nearly 40 per cent had scores above 90.

Another sought-after school is Brentwood Secondary where students can, among others, work towards getting a Diploma of Aviation and a commercial pilot’s licence through a VET program.

The college has fully equipped flight simulators and offers aviation as an elective in Year 10 and has a teacher who is a qualified Boeing 737 pilot. The program is also available to students from other schools.

The college with 1625 students has a growing academic and co-curriculum reputation, with homes in the school zone gaining buyer interest, according to local real estate agents.

Among the suburb’s many educational institutions is also Glenallen School, a specialist educational institution with fewer than 200 students.

It caters for students with physical disabilities, severe health impairments, and has learning programs for students with a broad range of intellectual abilities. 

The suburb also boasts several private tutoring schools that cater to parents seeking a head start for young children and also to prepare students for exams for entry to select schools and scholarships to private schools.

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