Named in Australia’s Top 100 Private Schools

John Paul College has been named in The Australian’s ranking of Australia’s Top 100 Private Schools, published by News Corp in July 2025 — national recognition of what our community already knows.

The ranking affirms a simple idea: that academic excellence, broad opportunity and a nurturing environment belong together, and that families should not have to pay the highest fees in the country to find them.

Strong results, accessible fees

In 2024 the median John Paul College graduate achieved an ATAR of 89.70, with 6% of the cohort placing in the top 1% of Queensland. What makes that more notable is our fee position: according to the Herald Sun’s comparison, John Paul College is among the most affordable schools on the Top 100 list. You can see our full international fee schedule and our results in detail.

How the ranking was built

The list was produced by News Corp’s education and data journalism team using a weighted formula rather than a single measure. Schools were assessed on:

• NAPLAN and ATAR results — academic performance across several year levels
• Student–teacher ratios — how much individual attention students receive
• Fees, funding and socio-economic advantage — financial accessibility and equity
• Campus facilities — with additional weight for pools, theatres and specialist centres
• Subject breadth — rewarding schools offering specialist and niche subjects
• Co-curricular opportunities — leadership, entrepreneurship and cultural programs
• Sporting programs — including high-performance and specialist offerings

Because the formula weighs affordability and facilities alongside results, a place on this list says something broader than a results table alone. For international families comparing schools in Brisbane, it is a useful independent reference point — and one worth reading alongside our guide to choosing an international school in Brisbane.