The South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE) results for 2024 have been officially released, offering a comprehensive overview of the academic achievements of thousands of Year 12 students across South Australia. These results not only recognize individual brilliance but also highlight the educational institutions that have consistently demonstrated excellence in nurturing high-performing students. With 15,967 students completing their SACE, and 13,410 receiving ATARs, this year’s data offers invaluable insights into the evolving education landscape of South Australia.
Outstanding Achievements: 2024 SACE Key Highlights
The 2024 cohort has delivered exceptional results, reinforcing South Australia’s reputation for academic quality and innovation:
- 15 students attained the perfect ATAR of 99.95, including 11 males and 4 females.
- Wilderness School emerged as the top-ranking school with a median ATAR of 93.83, leading the academic charts.
- St Peter’s College distinguished itself by producing five students with the perfect 99.95 ATAR.
- High-performing schools included Wilderness School, St Peter’s College, St John’s Grammar, Walford Anglican, and St Dominic’s Priory College, among others.
Top-Ranked Schools by Median ATAR in 2024
The median ATAR is a strong indicator of consistent performance across a school’s student body. The schools that led the way this year have shown not just pockets of brilliance but a widespread culture of academic excellence.
| Rank | School | Median ATAR |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wilderness School, Medindie | 93.83 |
| 2 | St Peter’s College, St Peters | 92.10 |
| 3 | St John’s Grammar School, Belair | 90.25 |
| 4 | Pulteney Grammar School, Adelaide | 89.00 |
| 5 | St Ignatius College, Athelstone | 88.65 |
These top-tier schools have displayed exceptional academic strength, fostering a competitive yet supportive learning environment that empowers students to perform at their best.
Elite Performers: Students Who Achieved ATAR 99.95
In 2024, 15 students reached the pinnacle of academic success with an ATAR of 99.95—a rare accomplishment that reflects exceptional discipline and mastery across subjects.
Schools Represented Among the 99.95 Achievers:
- St Peter’s College – 5 students
- Wilderness School – 1 student
- Concordia College – 2 students
- Pembroke School – 1 student
- IQRA College – 1 student
- Whyalla Secondary College – 1 student
These institutions have not only provided the academic scaffolding but have also nurtured talent capable of achieving national-level excellence.
Top 5 Schools by Percentage of 99+ ATARs
Achieving an ATAR of 99 or above places students in the top 1% of Australian academic achievers. The following schools had the highest proportions of such elite scorers:
| Rank | School | % of 99+ ATARs |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wilderness School, Medindie | 14% |
| 2 | St Peter’s College, St Peters | 12% |
| 3 | Walford Anglican School for Girls, Hyde Park | 10% |
| 4 | St Dominic’s Priory College, North Adelaide | 7% |
| 5 | Scotch College, Torrens Park | 3.3% |
The ability of these schools to consistently produce top 1% performers underlines their commitment to academic excellence, mentorship, and rigorous learning standards.
Leading Schools by Percentage of 95+ ATARs
An ATAR above 95 indicates a high level of academic distinction, and the schools below have demonstrated impressive performance across their cohorts:
| Rank | School | % of 95+ ATARs |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wilderness School, Medindie | 47% |
| 2 | St Peter’s Collegiate Girls’ School, Stonyfell | 41% |
| 3 | St John’s Grammar School, Belair | 36% |
| 4 | St Peter’s College, St Peters | 34% |
| 5 | St Ignatius College, Athelstone | 33.33% |
Wilderness School leads once again, affirming its position as a beacon of academic strength. Schools like St Peter’s Collegiate Girls’ and St John’s Grammar also stand out for fostering broad-based student excellence.
Noteworthy Institutional Highlights
Several schools stood out not just for high ATARs but for unique accomplishments that reflect the depth of South Australia’s education system:
| School | Key Achievements |
|---|---|
| Wilderness School, Medindie | 47% of students ranked in the top 5% nationally. |
| St Peter’s College, St Peters | Produced five perfect 99.95 ATAR scorers. |
| Concordia College, Highgate | Two students earned ATARs of 99.95, showcasing a focus on academic excellence. |
| Pembroke School | Celebrated a perfect 99.95 ATAR, continuing a legacy of strong performance. |
| Immanuel College | A total of 64 students earned ATARs of 90 or above, underscoring consistent academic strength. |
These achievements reinforce the diversity of excellence across government and independent schools, with regional and metropolitan institutions equally contributing to the state’s success.
SACE Trends in 2024: What the Numbers Reveal
Several key trends have emerged from this year’s data that offer insights for educators, students, and policymakers:
- Gender Breakdown of Top Achievers: Of the 15 students with a 99.95 ATAR, 11 were male and 4 were female, reflecting a balanced distribution of excellence across genders.
- Regional Representation: The inclusion of Whyalla Secondary School among perfect ATAR achievers signals that regional schools continue to rise in academic stature.
- STEM and Humanities Balance: Students achieving top ATARs came from a range of subject combinations, highlighting the broad curriculum strength across South Australia.
- Growth in VET Pathways: A notable number of students are complementing their academic studies with Vocational Education and Training, indicating a positive trend towards diversified skill development.
The ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admission Rank) is a standardized ranking system used in Australia to assess and compare the academic achievement of high school graduates seeking entry into universities. Here’s a clear breakdown:
Key Facts About ATAR:
- What It Is:
- A number between 0.00 and 99.95 that indicates a student’s position relative to all other students in their cohort.
- Example: An ATAR of 80.00 means you performed equal to or better than 80% of your peers nationwide.
- How It’s Calculated:
- Based on scaled scores from Year 12 subjects (VCE in Victoria, HSC in NSW, etc.).
- Combines your best 4-6 subjects (varies by state).
- Adjusts for subject difficulty (e.g., Specialist Maths scales higher than General Maths).
- Why It Matters:
- Universities use ATAR as the primary entry requirement for undergraduate courses.
- Competitive courses (e.g., Medicine, Law) often require ATARs of 90+.
- ATAR vs. OP (QLD’s old system):
- ATAR is national (used everywhere except QLD, which phased out OPs in 2020).
Final Reflections on the 2024 SACE Results
The 2024 SACE results celebrate not just the accomplishments of individuals, but also the systematic excellence of South Australian schools. Institutions like Wilderness School, St Peter’s College, St John’s Grammar, and Walford Anglican School have firmly positioned themselves as leaders in academic performance, with strong median ATARs and a high percentage of students scoring above 95.
These results offer a clear message: with the right combination of teaching excellence, student support, and school culture, outstanding academic outcomes are within reach for every learner in South Australia.
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