Best Public Schools in Perth: Ranked by TeachingJobs.com.au

Perth's public school system stands as a cornerstone of Western Australia's education landscape, offering high-quality, accessible education to thousands of students across the metropolitan area. With a focus on academic excellence, innovative teaching practices, and holistic development, many public schools in Perth consistently outperform expectations, as evidenced by recent National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) results and Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE) ATAR scores. At TeachingJobs.com.au, we've compiled a comprehensive ranking of the best public schools in Perth based on a blend of key performance indicators, including Year 5 and Year 9 NAPLAN scores, Year 12 ATAR achievements, student-to-teacher ratios, and school-specific initiatives that foster student success. This ranking highlights institutions that not only deliver strong academic outcomes but also prepare students for future challenges in a rapidly evolving world.

Western Australia's public schools benefit from substantial government investment, with the Department of Education allocating resources for modern facilities, professional development for educators, and targeted support programs. In 2025, Perth public schools demonstrated resilience amid post-pandemic recovery, with average NAPLAN scores rising by 2-3% in literacy and numeracy compared to previous years. These schools serve diverse communities, from inner-city suburbs like Subiaco to growing areas like Willetton, ensuring equitable access to top-tier education without the fees associated with private institutions.

Our Ranking Methodology: A Data-Driven Approach

To determine the best public schools in Perth, TeachingJobs.com.au analyzed data from trusted sources such as Better Education's 2025 school rankings, MySchool data portal, and the School Curriculum and Standards Authority (SCSA) WACE reports. Key criteria included:

• NAPLAN Performance: Average scores in reading, writing, numeracy for Years 5 and 9, adjusted for socio-educational advantage (SEA) to ensure fairness.
• WACE ATAR Results: Percentage of students achieving ATAR above 90, median ATAR scores for senior high schools.
• School Environment: Student attendance rates (above 92%), low suspension rates, and extracurricular offerings.
• Teacher Quality: Proportion of teachers with postgraduate qualifications and average experience levels.

This holistic methodology ranks schools within their sector—primary (K-6) and secondary (7-12)—focusing solely on government-operated public institutions in the Perth metropolitan region. Schools were scored out of 100, with the top performers standing out for consistent excellence over multiple years.

Top Public High Schools in Perth

Secondary public schools in Perth have long been a source of pride, producing graduates who excel in university placements and careers. Here's our top five, each offering unique strengths in academics, arts, and STEM.

1. Perth Modern School: The Pinnacle of Academic Excellence

Established in 1911, Perth Modern School is Western Australia's only fully academically selective public secondary school, catering to gifted and talented students from Years 7 to 12. Entry is highly competitive, requiring success in the Department of Education's Gifted and Talented test. In 2025, it reclaimed the top spot in WA for WACE performance, with over 80 students scoring ATAR 99+, the highest ever recorded by any school in the state. NAPLAN Year 9 results averaged 620+ in numeracy and reading, far exceeding national benchmarks.

The school's curriculum emphasizes enrichment programs, including advanced mathematics, research projects, and international exchanges. Facilities include state-of-the-art STEM labs and a performing arts centre. With a student-teacher ratio of 1:15 and 85% of staff holding master's degrees, Perth Modern fosters critical thinking and leadership. Alumni include Rhodes Scholars and CEOs, underscoring its long-term impact. Learn more about Perth Modern.

2. Willetton Senior High School: Inclusive High Achievers

Serving over 2,700 students in Perth's south-east, Willetton Senior High School excels in supporting a multicultural cohort—over 50 nationalities represented. Its 2025 NAPLAN scores placed it in the top 1% statewide, with Year 9 writing averages at 580. WACE results showed 25% of Year 12s achieving ATAR 95+, bolstered by specialist programs in languages, music, and aviation.

Innovative teaching methods, such as flipped classrooms and project-based learning, contribute to its success. The school invests in teacher professional development, with annual workshops on inclusive education. Community partnerships with local universities enhance opportunities like dual-enrollment courses.

3. Rossmoyne Senior High School: STEM Powerhouse

Rossmoyne, with 2,800 students, dominates in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Its Year 9 NAPLAN numeracy score of 610 led Perth publics, and 2025 WACE data revealed a median ATAR of 92. The school's robotics club has won national championships, and it offers accelerated pathways for gifted students.

Facilities include a $10 million STEM centre opened in 2024. Teachers employ hands-on experiments and coding bootcamps, aligning with Australia's digital economy needs. Rossmoyne's focus on wellbeing, through mindfulness programs, ensures balanced student growth.

4. Shenton College: Blending Arts and Academics

Located centrally in Shenton Park, Shenton College combines rigorous academics with vibrant arts programs. NAPLAN excellence (Year 7 reading 590+) and strong ATAR outcomes (20% above 90) earned its spot. The school's International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma option attracts global-minded families.

With modern theatres and galleries, Shenton nurtures creativity alongside core subjects. Teacher retention is high at 90%, thanks to collaborative planning time.

5. Carine Senior High School: Community-Focused Excellence

Carine Senior High in the north boasts comprehensive sports academies and environmental science initiatives. Its 2025 scores rival top peers, with emphasis on personalized learning plans for each student.

Leading Public Primary Schools in Perth

Primary schools lay the foundation for lifelong learning. Our top five publics excel in early literacy and numeracy.

View full primary rankings on Better Education.

1. Oberthur Primary School: Literacy Leaders

Oberthur in Bull Creek tops Year 5 NAPLAN with exceptional reading and writing scores. Phonics-based instruction and daily reading sessions drive results. The school integrates technology like interactive whiteboards, serving 600+ students effectively.

2. Dalkeith Primary School: Nurturing Foundations

With lush grounds and small classes (1:20 ratio), Dalkeith fosters curiosity through inquiry learning. Its numeracy programs, aligned with Australian Curriculum, yield top scores.

Other standouts like Churchlands and Hollywood emphasize STEM from early years, preparing seamless transitions to high school.

Common Traits of Perth's Best Public Schools

High-performing schools share dedicated leadership, continuous teacher training, and parent engagement. For instance, 70% invest in wellbeing programs post-2023 mental health audits. Extracurriculars—debating, sports, coding clubs—round out development. Data from the WA Department of Education shows these schools have 5% higher attendance and lower behavioural issues.

• Strong principal vision
• Targeted interventions for at-risk students
• Modern infrastructure via federal funding

Challenges Facing Perth Public Schools

Despite successes, issues like teacher shortages (10% vacancy rate in 2025) and funding pressures persist. Remote learning legacies affect equity, but initiatives like the WA Education Awards recognize solutions. Top schools mitigate via mentorship and incentives.

How Parents Can Choose the Right Public School

1. Review MySchool profiles for demographics and results.
2. Visit open days to assess culture.
3. Consider zoning and transport.
4. Discuss with current parents via community forums.
5. Align with child's needs—academic, arts, sports.

Enrolment processes vary; selective schools require testing, while zoned ones prioritize locals.

The Role of Teachers in Top Schools

Exemplary educators drive rankings. In elite publics, teachers average 12 years' experience, using evidence-based practices like explicit instruction. Professional learning communities enable collaboration, boosting outcomes by 15% per SCSA studies.

Future Outlook for Perth Public Education

With $1.2 billion in 2026-28 budget for WA schools, expect enhanced digital literacy and sustainability curricula. Rising enrolments (projected 5% growth) spur new builds. Public schools will remain competitive, blending tradition with innovation.

As Perth grows, these institutions offer stable, high-value education, empowering the next generation.