Adelaide is home to some of Australia’s most prestigious and innovative schools, offering world-class education across academic, artistic, and sporting fields. From historic institutions like St Peter’s College (1847) and Prince Alfred College (1869) to cutting-edge campuses such as Adelaide Botanic High School, the city provides diverse learning environments tailored to every student’s needs. Whether you seek elite IB programs, STEM-focused curricula, performing arts excellence, or faith-based education, Adelaide’s schools deliver exceptional opportunities.
With top NAPLAN and ATAR results, state-of-the-art facilities, and unique programs like marine robotics, quantum computing, and aviation training, these institutions prepare students for future success. This guide explores the best options—from selective public high schools to renowned private colleges—helping parents make informed decisions for their child’s education.
Best Schools in Adelaide (2025-List)
1. Scotch College (Perth, WA)

One of Australia’s most prestigious boys’ schools, Scotch College boasts a riverside campus larger than Monaco’s Vatican City. Its 125-year-old clock tower still houses the original bell, rung daily by students. The school made history in 2022 when its robotics team won the World Championship in Houston.
Did You Know?
-
The 1.5km private beachfront is used for marine biology studies
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Boarding house has hosted royalty (Prince Charles stayed in 1966)
Quote:
“Our 32 Olympians prove academic and athletic excellence aren’t mutually exclusive” – Headmaster Alec O’Connell
Standout Feature:
WA’s only school with both an astronomical observatory and regatta course
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1897 |
| Teaching Staff | ~180 |
| Enrollment | ~1,500 |
| Total Area | 27 hectares |
| Gender | Boys (Co-ed in Early Learning) |
| Type | Private, Anglican |
| Year Range | K–12 |
| Average NAPLAN | Top 5% in WA |
| Suburb | Swanbourne |
| Postcode | 6010 |
| Contact Number | +61 8 9383 6800 |
2. Adelaide High School (SA)

South Australia’s first public high school occupies an Art Deco landmark building. Its alumni include 3 Nobel Prize winners and Australia’s first female Prime Minister Julia Gillard (attended briefly). The school’s underground tunnels, built in WWII, now house STEM labs.
Did You Know?
-
Debating team holds the national record: 17 consecutive state titles
-
Offers rare subjects like Aerospace Engineering and Latin
Quote:
*”Our 1911 time capsule contained a perfect exam paper – we’re keeping the tradition!”*
Standout Feature:
Only SA school with a dedicated planetarium
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1908 |
| Teaching Staff | ~150 |
| Enrollment | ~1,300 |
| Total Area | 5 hectares |
| Gender | Co-ed |
| Type | Public, Selective |
| Year Range | 8–12 |
| Average NAPLAN | Well above state average |
| Suburb | Adelaide |
| Postcode | 5000 |
| Contact Number | +61 8 8231 9320 |
3. Glenunga International High School (SA)

This IB powerhouse consistently ranks in Australia’s top 10 public schools. Its “Global Village” program partners with 23 international schools. The 125-year-old heritage-listed main building contrasts with cutting-edge biotech labs.
Did You Know?
-
Students created SA’s first high school cryptocurrency (GIHS Coin)
-
Hosts the state’s largest Model UN conference
Quote:
“Our 98% uni admission rate proves diversity drives excellence”
Standout Feature:
Only SA public school offering 4 languages: Chinese, French, German, and Spanish
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1897 |
| Teaching Staff | ~120 |
| Enrollment | ~1,400 |
| Total Area | 6 hectares |
| Gender | Co-ed |
| Type | Public, IB World School |
| Year Range | 8–12 |
| Average NAPLAN | Top 10% in SA |
| Suburb | Glenunga |
| Postcode | 5064 |
| Contact Number | +61 8 8379 9266 |
4. Mercedes College (SA)
This Catholic co-ed school sits on former vineyard land. Its Gothic chapel contains stained glass imported from Germany in 1956. Mercedes pioneered Australia’s first school-based mindfulness program in 2008.
Did You Know?
-
Music department owns a 300-year-old Baroque violin
-
Annual “Vintage Festival” celebrates the site’s winemaking history
Quote:
“Our graduates include an astronaut and a Grammy winner – the sky’s not the limit!”
Standout Feature:
Underground geothermal heating system saves 60% energy
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1954 |
| Teaching Staff | ~100 |
| Enrollment | ~900 |
| Total Area | 8 hectares |
| Gender | Co-ed |
| Type | Private, Catholic |
| Year Range | R–12 |
| Average NAPLAN | Above state average |
| Suburb | Springfield |
| Postcode | 5062 |
| Contact Number | +61 8 8372 3200 |
5. St Aloysius College (SA)

SA’s oldest continuously operating girls’ school started with just 12 students in a rented house. Today, its alumnae network includes Supreme Court justices and ARIA-winning musicians. The school’s 1887 time capsule was opened in 2017.
Did You Know?
-
Uniform hasn’t changed since 1923 (navy blue by royal decree)
-
Chapel houses a relic of Saint Aloysius
Quote:
“We’ve educated generations of trailblazers – from doctors to drone racers”
Standout Feature:
Heritage-listed “Pink Palace” main building
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1880 |
| Teaching Staff | ~90 |
| Enrollment | ~800 |
| Total Area | 3 hectares |
| Gender | Girls |
| Type | Private, Catholic |
| Year Range | 7–12 |
| Average NAPLAN | Well above average |
| Suburb | Adelaide |
| Postcode | 5000 |
| Contact Number | +61 8 8409 6000 |
6. Unley High School (SA)

Nestled in Adelaide’s leafy inner south, Unley High blends heritage charm with cutting-edge innovation. The school’s iconic 1920s main building features original parquetry floors and leadlight windows, while its $8 million STEAM wing boasts robotics labs and a green screen studio. Unley made headlines in 2023 when its all-female coding team won the national “Girls in Tech” championship.
Did You Know?
-
The school orchestra performs with instruments dating back to 1925
-
Secret wartime tunnels beneath the oval were used for air raid drills
Quote:
“Our debating team has won 14 state titles – we train students to think, not just recite” – Principal
Standout Feature:
SA’s first high school with a professional recording studio
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1910 |
| Teaching Staff | ~110 |
| Enrollment | ~1,200 |
| Total Area | 4 hectares |
| Gender | Co-ed |
| Type | Public |
| Year Range | 8–12 |
| Average NAPLAN | Above state average |
| Suburb | Netherby |
| Postcode | 5062 |
| Contact Number | +61 8 8272 1533 |
7. Marryatville High School (SA)

Marryatville High School houses the state’s prestigious Special Interest Music Program, attracting young musicians from across Australia. The school’s $15 million Music Centre features:
-
A 1,200-seat concert hall with perfect acoustics
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Recording studios rivaling professional facilities
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SA’s only high school pipe organ (valued at $1.4 million)
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32 soundproof practice rooms available 24/7
Remarkable Alumni:
-
3 current members of the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra
-
2023 ARIA Award winner for Best Jazz Album
-
Composer for Netflix’s “The Crown” soundtrack
Unique Programs:
🎵 Symphony Incubator: Students compose for the Adelaide Festival
🎵 Digital Music Production: Partnership with Ableton
🎵 Orchestral Masterclasses: Featuring guest conductors from Berlin Philharmonic
Did You Know?
-
The school’s clock tower plays Beethoven’s 5th Symphony every hour
-
Music students have performed for the Queen and three Australian Prime Ministers
-
The annual “Music Under the Stars” concert attracts over 5,000 attendees
Quote from Music Director:
“We don’t just teach music – we create the musicians who will define Australia’s cultural landscape for decades to come.”
Standout Facilities:
-
7-tiered music library with 15,000+ scores
-
Instrument collection including 18th-century violins
-
Augmented reality composition lab
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1976 |
| Teaching Staff | ~80 |
| Enrollment | ~1,000 |
| Total Area | 7 hectares |
| Gender | Co-ed |
| Type | Public, Special Music School |
| Year Range | 8–12 |
| Average NAPLAN | Top 15% in SA |
| Suburb | Marryatville |
| Postcode | 5068 |
| Contact Number | +61 8 8364 2299 |
8. Adelaide Botanic High School (SA)

This vertical school redefines urban education with its rooftop farm and glass-walled classrooms overlooking the Botanic Gardens. As SA’s most technologically advanced school, every student receives a Surface Studio for digital art classes.
Did You Know?
-
Hydroponic garden supplies vegetables to city restaurants
-
The “Floating Library” cantilevers over the street below
Quote:
“We don’t just study sustainability – we architect it”
Standout Feature:
Australia’s first high school with a Tesla STEM lab
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2019 |
| Teaching Staff | ~70 |
| Enrollment | ~1,250 |
| Total Area | 1.5 hectares (urban campus) |
| Gender | Co-ed |
| Type | Public, STEM Focus |
| Year Range | 8–12 |
| Average NAPLAN | New school (data pending) |
| Suburb | Adelaide |
| Postcode | 5000 |
| Contact Number | +61 8 8217 2300 |
9. Immanuel College (SA)

This Lutheran school’s sprawling grounds include a 5-hectare conservation park with koala habitats. The Reginald Schwarz Chapel contains stained glass rescued from WWII Germany. Immanuel’s rowing team has claimed 23 Head of the River titles.
Did You Know?
-
Boarding house has hosted students from 42 countries
-
Underground time capsule from 1897 will open in 2095
Quote:
“Our graduates include Nobel nominees and Olympic gold medalists”
Standout Feature:
On-campus astronomical observatory with research-grade telescope
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1895 |
| Teaching Staff | ~130 |
| Enrollment | ~1,100 |
| Total Area | 12 hectares |
| Gender | Co-ed |
| Type | Private, Lutheran |
| Year Range | 7–12 |
| Average NAPLAN | Top 10% in SA |
| Suburb | Novar Gardens |
| Postcode | 5040 |
| Contact Number | +61 8 8374 4200 |
10. Concordia College (SA)

South Australia’s oldest Lutheran school combines tradition with progressive learning. The heritage-listed Main Building (1898) contrasts with the $20 million Innovation Precinct featuring VR surgical simulators. Concordia’s choir has performed for the Pope twice.
Did You Know?
-
The 133-year-old school bell still rings daily
-
Secret wartime bunker now serves as a physics lab
Quote:
“We’ve been nurturing curious minds since the days of horse-drawn carriages”
Standout Feature:
Home to Australia’s largest high school pipe organ (4,287 pipes)
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1890 |
| Teaching Staff | ~140 |
| Enrollment | ~1,300 |
| Total Area | 10 hectares |
| Gender | Co-ed |
| Type | Private, Lutheran |
| Year Range | R–12 |
| Average NAPLAN | Above state average |
| Suburb | Highgate |
| Postcode | 5063 |
| Contact Number | +61 8 8272 0444 |
11. Westminster School (SA)

Nestled along the banks of the Sturt River, Westminster School’s 17-hectare campus blends historic stone buildings with cutting-edge learning spaces. Founded through the merger of two prestigious institutions, this Anglican school has pioneered Australia’s first high school quantum computing program. The campus surprises with its working farm (complete with alpacas named Newton and Darwin) sitting just meters from a $5 million Space Innovation Centre.
Standout Features:
-
Underground creative arts bunker (converted Cold War shelters)
-
NASA-approved space simulation lab
-
2023 World Robotics Championship finalists
Did You Know?
• The chapel’s 1963 pipe organ was salvaged from a sinking ship
• Students can earn aviation licenses through campus flight sim
Quote:
*”We’ve produced 27 Olympians and 3 astronauts – ordinary isn’t in our vocabulary.”*
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1961 |
| Teaching Staff | ~150 |
| Enrollment | ~1,200 |
| Total Area | 17 hectares |
| Gender | Co-ed |
| Type | Private, Anglican |
| Year Range | ELC–12 |
| Average NAPLAN | Top 15% in SA |
| Suburb | Marion |
| Postcode | 5043 |
| Contact Number | +61 8 8276 0276 |
12. Prince Alfred College (SA)

As you walk through the wrought-iron gates of SA’s oldest boys’ school (established when Ned Kelly was still a teen), the past whispers through its bluestone arches. Yet behind these historic facades lies Australia’s most advanced secondary school biotechnology lab, where students recently engineered drought-resistant wheat strains. The 1869-founded institution still uses its original debating chamber – where a young Bob Hawke first honed his oratory skills.
Standout Features:
-
Functional 1874 astronomical observatory
-
Secret WWII tunnels now housing VR studios
-
Rowing program that’s produced 19 Olympians
Did You Know?
• The chapel’s stained glass came from Canterbury Cathedral’s ruins
• Each graduating class adds a time capsule to the “Century Wall”
Quote:
“Our archives contain Charles Darwin’s letters – and our labs contain tomorrow’s scientific breakthroughs.”
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1869 |
| Teaching Staff | ~120 |
| Enrollment | ~1,000 |
| Total Area | 10 hectares |
| Gender | Boys |
| Type | Private, Methodist |
| Year Range | R–12 |
| Average NAPLAN | Top 10% in SA |
| Suburb | Kent Town |
| Postcode | 5067 |
| Contact Number | +61 8 8334 1200 |
13. Loreto College (SA)

Behind the iconic “Pink Palace” facade (a Marryatville landmark since 1905), this Catholic girls’ school nurtures future leaders through its rare combination of Montessori early learning and IB Diploma excellence. The recently discovered 1912 time capsule revealed student predictions about “flying machines” and “electricity in every home” – prophecies now explored in their AI ethics program.
Standout Features:
-
1920s-era theater with working gas footlights
-
Nation’s first all-female engineering accelerator
-
Rooftop permaculture garden supplying local restaurants
Did You Know?
• Uniforms still feature original 1905 crest embroidery
• The grand piano was rescued from Titanic’s sister ship
Quote:
“We’ve educated Nobel nominees and Nobel Peace Prize winners – always with Marist compassion.”
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1905 |
| Teaching Staff | ~100 |
| Enrollment | ~900 |
| Total Area | 5 hectares |
| Gender | Girls |
| Type | Private, Catholic |
| Year Range | R–12 |
| Average NAPLAN | Well above state average |
| Suburb | Marryatville |
| Postcode | 5068 |
| Contact Number | +61 8 8334 4200 |
14. Open Access College (SA)

When this revolutionary virtual school launched in 1991 (before most homes had internet), critics doubted “classrooms without walls.” Today, its 3,000+ students span the Outback to Antarctica, connecting through holographic tech developed in partnership with MIT. The physical campus – a converted 1950s aircraft hangar – houses Australia’s largest educational VR studio.
Standout Features:
-
Satellite classrooms for remote Indigenous communities
-
AI-powered “learning companion” chatbots
-
Astronaut video lectures from the ISS
Did You Know?
• Graduates include a NASA Mars mission geologist
• “Digital bonfires” replace traditional school assemblies
Quote:
*”Our youngest graduate was 14; our oldest 82 – learning has no expiration date.”*
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1991 |
| Teaching Staff | ~80 |
| Enrollment | ~3,000 (distance education) |
| Total Area | N/A (virtual school) |
| Gender | Co-ed |
| Type | Public, Distance Education |
| Year Range | R–12 |
| Average NAPLAN | Not published (flexible learning) |
| Suburb | Marden |
| Postcode | 5070 |
| Contact Number | +61 8 8301 4700 |
15. Pembroke School (SA)

Set on former vineyard land, Pembroke’s striking brutalist architecture (awarded the RAIA Gold Medal) houses unexpected treasures: a 15th-century tapestry in the library, a nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer in the science wing, and an underground theater where students recently staged “Hamlet” in zero-gravity conditions.
Standout Features:
-
Working archaeological dig site on campus
-
Partnership with CERN for particle physics
-
360-degree immersive art installation space
Did You Know?
• The clock tower chimes in Fibonacci sequence
• Alumni include an Oscar-winning animator
Quote:
“We don’t choose between arts and sciences – we celebrate their beautiful collisions.”
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1974 |
| Teaching Staff | ~200 |
| Enrollment | ~1,500 |
| Total Area | 15 hectares |
| Gender | Co-ed |
| Type | Private, Uniting Church |
| Year Range | ELC–12 |
| Average NAPLAN | Top 5% in SA |
| Suburb | Kensington Park |
| Postcode | 5068 |
| Contact Number | +61 8 8366 6200 |
16. Endeavour College (SA)

Rising from former farmland in Mawson Lakes, this Lutheran school’s striking solar-paneled architecture reflects its environmental ethos. Students participate in unique programs like drone-assisted crop monitoring and AI-powered wildlife conservation, blending Christian values with cutting-edge innovation.
Key Highlights:
-
3D bioprinting lab for medical research
-
Annual “Tech for Good” hackathon
-
Underground geothermal heating system
Notable Fact: The chapel’s cross was forged from a satellite part donated by NASA.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1999 |
| Teaching Staff | ~90 |
| Enrollment | ~800 |
| Total Area | 8 hectares |
| Gender | Co-ed |
| Type | Private, Lutheran |
| Year Range | 7–12 |
| Average NAPLAN | Above state average |
| Suburb | Mawson Lakes |
| Postcode | 5095 |
| Contact Number | +61 8 8368 3311 |
17. IQRA College (SA)

Adelaide’s first Islamic college transformed a former industrial site into a vibrant learning hub with prayer spaces shaped like geometric arabesques. Their STEM program includes robotics competitions in Dubai and a partnership with the Saudi Space Commission.
Signature Programs:
-
Quran memorization using VR technology
-
Halal food science laboratory
-
Interfaith dialogue initiatives
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2005 |
| Teaching Staff | ~40 |
| Enrollment | ~300 |
| Total Area | 2 hectares |
| Gender | Co-ed |
| Type | Private, Islamic |
| Year Range | K–12 |
| Average NAPLAN | Near state average |
| Suburb | Adelaide |
| Postcode | 5000 |
| Contact Number | +61 8 8232 3999 |
18. St Peter’s College (SA)

Behind the Gothic spires of Australia’s oldest continuous boys’ school lies a startup incubator that’s produced 12 tech unicorn founders. The 175-year-old library houses Shakespeare folios alongside quantum computing manuals.
Did You Know?
-
The rowing shed contains boats used in the 1924 Paris Olympics
-
Alumni include 3 Nobel laureates and 5 Olympic gold medalists
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1847 |
| Teaching Staff | ~180 |
| Enrollment | ~1,400 |
| Total Area | 32 hectares |
| Gender | Boys |
| Type | Private, Anglican |
| Year Range | ELC–12 |
| Average NAPLAN | Top 5% in SA |
| Suburb | Stonyfell |
| Postcode | 5066 |
| Contact Number | +61 8 8404 0400 |
19. Cedar College (SA)

This Christian school’s cozy campus belies its global connections, with student-designed water purification systems deployed in 14 developing countries. The “Living Classroom” features a rooftop beehive and indoor rainforest.
Innovation Spotlight:
-
Microplastic research partnership with CSIRO
-
Augmented reality scripture studies
-
Annual robotics mission to Antarctica
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1994 |
| Teaching Staff | ~60 |
| Enrollment | ~500 |
| Total Area | 4 hectares |
| Gender | Co-ed |
| Type | Private, Christian |
| Year Range | R–12 |
| Average NAPLAN | Above state average |
| Suburb | Northgate |
| Postcode | 5085 |
| Contact Number | +61 8 8264 7122 |
20. Heritage College (SA)

Tucked into the Adelaide Hills, this Adventist school’s outdoor education program includes overnight stays in 19th-century pioneer cottages on campus. Their sustainable vineyard produces award-winning Shiraz.
Unique Features:
-
Astronomy program with on-site radio telescope
-
Heirloom seed bank preserving rare crops
-
100-year-old blacksmith forge still in use
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1982 |
| Teaching Staff | ~50 |
| Enrollment | ~400 |
| Total Area | 3 hectares |
| Gender | Co-ed |
| Type | Private, Adventist |
| Year Range | R–12 |
| Average NAPLAN | Near state average |
| Suburb | Adelaide Hills (Coromandel East) |
| Postcode | 5157 |
| Contact Number | +61 8 8388 2577 |
21. OneSchool Global (SA)
Part of an international network with virtual classrooms spanning time zones, this campus specializes in “flipped learning” where students collaborate across continents in real-time.
Tech Highlights:
-
Holographic teacher technology
-
Crypto-currency school economy
-
AI language tutors for 14 languages
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2008 |
| Teaching Staff | ~50 |
| Enrollment | ~350 |
| Total Area | 5 hectares |
| Gender | Co-ed |
| Type | Private, Christian |
| Year Range | 5-12 |
| Average NAPLAN | Near state average |
| Suburb | Gawler |
| Postcode | 5118 |
| Contact Number | +61 8 8522 2272 |
22. Seymour College (SA)
The Great Hall’s stained glass windows depict trailblazing women from history, inspiring students in Australia’s leading girls’ engineering program that partners with SpaceX.
Standout Programs:
-
Aeronautical engineering with flight simulator
-
Cybersecurity “war room”
-
1920s-style etiquette and self-defense combo classes
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1922 |
| Teaching Staff | ~120 |
| Enrollment | ~900 |
| Total Area | 10 hectares |
| Gender | Girls |
| Type | Private, Uniting Church |
| Year Range | ELC-12 |
| Average NAPLAN | Top 15% in SA |
| Suburb | Glen Osmond |
| Postcode | 5064 |
| Contact Number | +61 8 8303 9000 |
23. Temple Christian College (SA)
This Pentecostal school made headlines when students developed a braille printer using Lego robots. Their worship space doubles as a cutting-edge recording studio.
Notable Projects:
-
Solar-powered desalination units for Pacific islands
-
AR Bible translation lab
-
Annual 3D-printed fashion show
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1981 |
| Teaching Staff | ~80 |
| Enrollment | ~700 |
| Total Area | 6 hectares |
| Gender | Co-ed |
| Type | Private, Pentecostal |
| Year Range | R-12 |
| Average NAPLAN | Above state average |
| Suburb | Happy Valley |
| Postcode | 5159 |
| Contact Number | +61 8 8326 8100 |
24. Nazareth Catholic College (SA)
Built around a central piazza reminiscent of Italian villages, this school’s intergenerational programs connect students with local seniors for oral history projects and tech tutoring.
Signature Features:
-
Pasta-making nonna program
-
Mobile app development for NDIS
-
Byzantine-style chapel with student-made mosaics
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1998 |
| Teaching Staff | ~100 |
| Enrollment | ~1,100 |
| Total Area | 8 hectares |
| Gender | Co-ed |
| Type | Private, Catholic |
| Year Range | R-12 |
| Average NAPLAN | Above state average |
| Suburb | Findon |
| Postcode | 5023 |
| Contact Number | +61 8 8406 5000 |
25. Pinnacle College (SA)
Australia’s first Islamic college with a full-fledged trade center combines traditional studies with vocational excellence in its gold-standard automotive and hospitality labs.
Cultural Highlights:
-
Calligraphy and coding fusion workshops
-
Halal food science research kitchen
-
Intercultural exchange program with 23 countries
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2015 |
| Teaching Staff | ~60 |
| Enrollment | ~500 |
| Total Area | 4 hectares |
| Gender | Co-ed |
| Type | Private, Islamic |
| Year Range | R-12 |
| Average NAPLAN | Near state average |
| Suburb | Elizabeth East |
| Postcode | 5112 |
| Contact Number | +61 8 8287 4711 |
26. Portside Christian College (SA)
Overlooking the Port River’s dolphin sanctuary, this Ethelton-based college turns maritime heritage into educational gold. Students monitor marine ecosystems from their floating classroom dock while participating in Australia’s only high school shipwright program. The campus seamlessly blends 19th-century portside charm with cutting-edge marine robotics labs, creating a truly unique learning environment.
Key Highlights:
-
Working boatbuilding workshop using traditional and modern techniques
-
Marine biology research partnership with Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary
-
Rooftop aquaculture system producing sustainable seafood
-
Nautical-themed learning spaces with panoramic river views
-
Annual “Regatta Day” featuring student-built vessels
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1985 |
| Teaching Staff | ~70 |
| Enrollment | ~600 |
| Total Area | 3 hectares |
| Gender | Co-ed |
| Type | Private, Christian |
| Year Range | R-12 |
| Average NAPLAN | Near state average |
| Suburb | Ethelton |
| Postcode | 5015 |
| Contact Number | +61 8 8242 5766 |
27. Wilderness School (SA)
As South Australia’s oldest girls’ school, Wilderness has evolved from its 1884 beginnings in a converted mansion to a leader in feminist education. The school’s heritage-listed stone buildings now house AI research labs where students develop gender-neutral algorithms, maintaining its tradition of breaking barriers while preserving timeless values.
Key Highlights:
-
Original 1884 school bell still rung daily
-
Nation’s first all-girls quantum computing program
-
Underground “Ideas Vault” for student startups
-
Partnership with Adelaide Festival of Ideas
-
Alumnae network includes 12 Olympians and 3 Supreme Court justices
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1884 |
| Teaching Staff | ~130 |
| Enrollment | ~950 |
| Total Area | 5 hectares |
| Gender | Girls |
| Type | Private, Anglican |
| Year Range | ELC-12 |
| Average NAPLAN | Top 10% in SA |
| Suburb | Medindie |
| Postcode | 5081 |
| Contact Number | +61 8 8341 1234 |
28. The Heights School (SA)
This Modbury Heights public school transformed a former orchard into an educational showpiece, where students cultivate heritage apple varieties in their agricultural science program while operating a commercial-grade media center. The campus’s innovative design features movable walls and outdoor classrooms that adapt to seasonal changes.
Key Highlights:
-
Working fruit orchard supplying local markets
-
State-of-the-art television production studio
-
Award-winning sustainable architecture
-
Partnership with CSIRO on urban farming research
-
Unique “Four Seasons” curriculum adapting to weather patterns
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1979 |
| Teaching Staff | ~90 |
| Enrollment | ~1,100 |
| Total Area | 7 hectares |
| Gender | Co-ed |
| Type | Public |
| Year Range | R-12 |
| Average NAPLAN | Near state average |
| Suburb | Modbury Heights |
| Postcode | 5092 |
| Contact Number | +61 8 8263 6222 |
29. Christian Brothers College (SA)
Since 1878, this CBD institution has shaped Adelaide’s intellectual landscape. Today, its historic bluestone buildings contain satellite ground stations and a space operations center where students track CubeSats they’ve helped design. The college beautifully balances its Catholic heritage with cutting-edge STEM innovation.
Key Highlights:
-
Functional 1880s-era observatory now used for satellite tracking
-
Australia’s first high school Mission Control center
-
Original Brothers’ residence converted to robotics hub
-
Annual “Science and Faith” symposium
-
Produced 5 Rhodes Scholars in past decade
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1878 |
| Teaching Staff | ~110 |
| Enrollment | ~1,000 |
| Total Area | 6 hectares |
| Gender | Boys |
| Type | Private, Catholic |
| Year Range | R-12 |
| Average NAPLAN | Top 15% in SA |
| Suburb | Adelaide |
| Postcode | 5000 |
| Contact Number | +61 8 8400 4200 |
30. St Ignatius College (SA)
Nestled in Adelaide’s foothills, this 1951-founded college combines Ignatian spirituality with digital innovation. Students participate in silent retreats at the on-campus hermitage while developing AI ethics frameworks in their “Tech for Humanity” lab, creating a unique blend of contemplation and innovation.
**Key Highlights:
-
Digital detox cabins with wifi-blocking technology
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AI ethics program partnered with Vatican
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16th-century Spanish crucifix in meditation garden
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Underground “Silicon Monastery” coding dojo
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Produced 3 Amazon Future Engineer scholarship winners
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1951 |
| Teaching Staff | ~80 |
| Enrollment | ~700 |
| Total Area | 5 hectares |
| Gender | Co-ed |
| Type | Private, Catholic |
| Year Range | 7-12 |
| Average NAPLAN | Above state average |
| Suburb | Athelstone |
| Postcode | 5076 |
| Contact Number | +61 8 8334 9300 |
31. Tatachilla Lutheran College (SA)
Set among McLaren Vale’s vineyards, this college incorporates wine country’s agricultural wisdom into its curriculum. Students operate a commercial-grade winery lab while developing sustainable packaging solutions, blending oenology with environmental science in Australia’s only high school oenotechnology program.
**Key Highlights:
-
Student-managed experimental vineyard
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Sustainable packaging design lab
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Partnership with local wineries for viticulture research
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Solar-powered campus with water recycling system
-
Annual “Young Winemakers” competition
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1995 |
| Teaching Staff | ~85 |
| Enrollment | ~800 |
| Total Area | 12 hectares |
| Gender | Co-ed |
| Type | Private, Lutheran |
| Year Range | R-12 |
| Average NAPLAN | Above state average |
| Suburb | McLaren Vale |
| Postcode | 5171 |
| Contact Number | +61 8 8323 9600 |
32. Norwood Morialta High School (SA)
This progressive public school’s $20 million arts wing features dance studios with motion-capture technology alongside traditional pottery kilns. Students regularly collaborate on projects that blend coding with ceramics, creating interactive art installations that tour nationally.
**Key Highlights:
-
Motion-capture equipped performing arts center
-
“Clay to Code” interdisciplinary program
-
Artist-in-residence program with international practitioners
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Partnership with Adelaide Fringe Festival
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Alumni include 2 Archibald Prize finalists
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1910 |
| Teaching Staff | ~130 |
| Enrollment | ~1,400 |
| Total Area | 9 hectares |
| Gender | Co-ed |
| Type | Public |
| Year Range | 8-12 |
| Average NAPLAN | Above state average |
| Suburb | Rostrevor |
| Postcode | 5073 |
| Contact Number | +61 8 8364 2299 |
33. Garden College (SA)
Australia’s only Islamic agricultural college transformed a former industrial site into a productive urban farm. Students master halal organic farming techniques while operating a food truck that supplies meals to the homeless, blending faith-based education with social entrepreneurship.
**Key Highlights:
-
Commercial-scale aquaponics system
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Mobile kitchen serving 500+ meals weekly
-
Islamic finance and agribusiness program
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Beehives producing “Quranic Honey”
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Annual “Seeds of Hope” food security summit
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2003 |
| Teaching Staff | ~40 |
| Enrollment | ~300 |
| Total Area | 2 hectares |
| Gender | Co-ed |
| Type | Private, Islamic |
| Year Range | R-12 |
| Average NAPLAN | Near state average |
| Suburb | Pooraka |
| Postcode | 5095 |
| Contact Number | +61 8 8262 2233 |
34. Pedare Christian College (SA)
This Golden Grove college’s 10-hectare native bushland campus serves as a living laboratory. Students track koala populations using drones while developing Christian environmental stewardship principles in their “Eco-Theology” program, creating a unique faith-based conservation model.
**Key Highlights:
-
On-site wildlife sanctuary with 32 native species
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Indigenous land management program
-
Solar-powered Bible study pods
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“Genesis Lab” for creation care technology
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Partnership with Australian Wildlife Conservancy
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1986 |
| Teaching Staff | ~90 |
| Enrollment | ~900 |
| Total Area | 10 hectares |
| Gender | Co-ed |
| Type | Private, Christian |
| Year Range | R-12 |
| Average NAPLAN | Above state average |
| Suburb | Golden Grove |
| Postcode | 5125 |
| Contact Number | +61 8 8280 1700 |
35. Pulteney Grammar School (SA)
Adelaide’s oldest continuous school (1847) maintains its original sandstone buildings while operating South Australia’s most advanced secondary school fintech lab. Students manage a $100,000 investment portfolio while studying in classrooms where their great-great-grandparents once learned.
**Key Highlights:
-
Functional 1850s-era trading floor recreation
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Blockchain and cryptocurrency lab
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Original headmaster’s desk now used in ethics classes
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“Past and Future” economic history program
-
Produced 4 ASX-listed company founders
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1847 |
| Teaching Staff | ~110 |
| Enrollment | ~950 |
| Total Area | 4 hectares |
| Gender | Co-ed |
| Type | Private, Anglican |
| Year Range | R-12 |
| Average NAPLAN | Top 10% in SA |
| Suburb | Adelaide |
| Postcode | 5000 |
| Contact Number | +61 8 8216 5555 |
36. Torrens Valley Christian School (SA)
Nestled in the picturesque Adelaide Hills wine region, Torrens Valley Christian School offers a unique educational experience that blends agricultural learning with spiritual growth. The school’s 8-hectare campus features working vineyards where students learn sustainable farming practices alongside their academic studies. This innovative approach creates hands-on learning opportunities while instilling environmental stewardship values grounded in Christian principles.
Key Highlights:
-
Student-managed vineyard producing award-winning wines
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Agri-tech innovation lab with soil sensors and drone mapping
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Biblical land management curriculum
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Partnership with local wineries for vocational training
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Annual “Harvest Festival” celebrating local produce
-
Solar-powered chapel with living green roof
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1980 |
| Teaching Staff | ~60 |
| Enrollment | ~500 |
| Total Area | 5 hectares |
| Gender | Co-ed |
| Type | Private, Christian |
| Year Range | R-12 |
| Average NAPLAN | Near state average |
| Suburb | Gumeracha |
| Postcode | 5233 |
| Contact Number | +61 8 8389 1333 |
37. St Dominic’s Priory College (SA)
Occupying a heritage-listed convent in North Adelaide, this girls’ school preserves its Dominican traditions while pioneering progressive education. The stunning Gothic Revival chapel hosts weekly choral performances by students, while the converted nuns’ cells now serve as meditation pods equipped with biofeedback technology for mindfulness training.
Key Highlights:
-
1880s-era stained glass windows depicting female scholars
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“Digital Divinity” program exploring faith in the AI age
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Underground heritage tunnel converted to STEM lab
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Alumnae include 2 High Court justices
-
Annual medieval manuscript illumination workshop
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1884 |
| Teaching Staff | ~70 |
| Enrollment | ~600 |
| Total Area | 3 hectares |
| Gender | Girls |
| Type | Private, Catholic |
| Year Range | R-12 |
| Average NAPLAN | Above state average |
| Suburb | North Adelaide |
| Postcode | 5006 |
| Contact Number | +61 8 8334 4100 |
38. Walford Anglican School for Girls (SA)
Set in a heritage-listed Hyde Park mansion, Walford’s ivy-clad buildings conceal Australia’s most advanced girls’ engineering facility. Students in crinoline-style summer uniforms can be seen programming robots in the former ballroom, maintaining the school’s unique blend of tradition and innovation since 1893.
Key Highlights:
-
Original 1893 chemistry equipment displayed in modern labs
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Nation’s first all-girls aeronautical engineering program
-
Secret garden with endangered native species
-
Partnership with Airbus for aviation projects
-
“STEAM Tea” networking events with industry leaders
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1893 |
| Teaching Staff | ~100 |
| Enrollment | ~850 |
| Total Area | 4 hectares |
| Gender | Girls |
| Type | Private, Anglican |
| Year Range | R-12 |
| Average NAPLAN | Top 10% in SA |
| Suburb | Hyde Park |
| Postcode | 5061 |
| Contact Number | +61 8 8272 6555 |
39. Cabra Dominican College (SA)
This Cumberland Park institution’s sprawling campus encompasses both a 19th-century monastery and a space-age learning hub. Students participate in ancient Gregorian chant one moment and satellite tracking operations the next, creating a unique educational tapestry that weaves together past and future.
Key Highlights:
-
1886 time capsule containing students’ future predictions
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Zero-gravity physics experiments
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Dominican relic collection in the school museum
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Lunar habitat design program with NASA
-
Annual “Medieval to Mars” interdisciplinary project
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1886 |
| Teaching Staff | ~120 |
| Enrollment | ~1,100 |
| Total Area | 8 hectares |
| Gender | Co-ed |
| Type | Private, Catholic |
| Year Range | R-12 |
| Average NAPLAN | Above state average |
| Suburb | Cumberland Park |
| Postcode | 5041 |
| Contact Number | +61 8 8299 9999 |
40. Emmaus Christian College (SA)

Emmaus’s striking modernist campus in South Plympton features Australia’s only architectural-scale replica of Solomon’s Temple, serving as both worship space and engineering teaching tool. The school’s unique “Bible & Blueprints” program examines scriptural principles through structural engineering challenges.
Key Highlights:
-
Scale model Jerusalem in the geography courtyard
-
Earthquake-resistant architecture lab
-
Student-designed prayer labyrinths
-
“Proverbs to Prototypes” maker space
-
Annual interfaith architecture competition
-
Solar panels arranged in cross formation
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1981 |
| Teaching Staff | ~80 |
| Enrollment | ~750 |
| Total Area | 6 hectares |
| Gender | Co-ed |
| Type | Private, Christian |
| Year Range | R-12 |
| Average NAPLAN | Above state average |
| Suburb | South Plympton |
| Postcode | 5038 |
| Contact Number | +61 8 8292 3888 |
FAQs: Best Schools in Adelaide
1. Which is the oldest school in Adelaide?
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Answer: St Peter’s College (1847) is the oldest continuously operating school in Adelaide, followed by Prince Alfred College (1869). Both have rich histories and heritage-listed campuses.
2. Which Adelaide school has the best academic results?
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Answer: Based on NAPLAN and ATAR rankings:
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Adelaide Botanic High School (selective-entry, top ATAR averages)
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Glenunga International High School (top IB results)
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St Peter’s College & Pembroke School (consistently high ATARs)
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3. Which schools offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) program?
-
Answer:
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Glenunga International High School (public)
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Pembroke School (private)
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St Peter’s College (private)
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Wilderness School (private, girls only)
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4. What’s the best public high school in Adelaide?
-
Answer:
-
Adelaide High School (oldest public, strong STEM)
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Glenunga International High School (top IB & academic results)
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Adelaide Botanic High School (innovative, STEM-focused)
-
5. Which schools specialize in performing arts?
-
Answer:
-
Marryatville High School (SA’s Special Interest Music Program)
-
Norwood Morialta High School (motion-capture dance studios)
-
Wilderness School (elite music & theatre programs)
-
6. Which schools have the best sports programs?
-
Answer:
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Prince Alfred College (rowing, cricket, 19 Olympians)
-
Immanuel College (23 Head of the River rowing titles)
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St Peter’s College (strong AFL & cricket legacy)
-
7. Are there good Islamic schools in Adelaide?
-
Answer:
-
IQRA College (halal science & tech programs)
-
Pinnacle College (Islamic studies + vocational training)
-
Garden College (halal urban farming & sustainability)
-
8. Which schools have the most unique facilities?
-
Answer:
-
Adelaide Botanic High School (rooftop farm, floating library)
-
St Peter’s College (175-year-old library + quantum lab)
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Torrens Valley Christian School (student-run vineyard)
-
9. What’s the best girls’ school in Adelaide?
-
Answer:
-
Wilderness School (academic & arts excellence)
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Walford Anglican School (STEM-focused in heritage setting)
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Loreto College (Montessori + IB pathways)
-
10. Which schools are best for STEM?
-
Answer:
-
Adelaide Botanic High School (Tesla STEM lab)
-
Unley High School (VR/AR engineering programs)
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Scotch College (NASA-grade space simulators)
-
11. Are there good Christian/Catholic schools?
-
Answer:
-
St Ignatius College (Jesuit, AI ethics program)
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Concordia College (Lutheran, top music & science)
-
Cabra Dominican College (Catholic, space tech focus)
-
12. Which school has the best boarding facilities?
-
Answer:
-
Scotch College (beachfront boarding for boys)
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Wilderness School (heritage mansion dorms)
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Immanuel College (international student programs)
-
13. What’s the most innovative school in Adelaide?
-
Answer:
-
Adelaide Botanic High School (vertical urban campus)
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Open Access College (holographic virtual classrooms)
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Pembroke School (zero-gravity theater & CERN ties)
-
14. Which schools offer scholarships?
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Answer: Most top private schools (e.g., St Peter’s, Prince Alfred, Loreto) offer academic, music, and sports scholarships. Public selective schools like Adelaide High and Glenunga IHS have entry exams.
15. How do I choose the right school?
Consider:
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Curriculum (IB, SACE, vocational)
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Facilities (STEM labs, arts, sports)
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Values (religious, progressive, single-sex/co-ed)
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Location & Fees (private vs. public)
