Top Perth Catholic Schools: Ranked by TeachingJobs.com.au

Catholic education in Perth has long been a cornerstone of the city's schooling landscape, offering families a blend of academic rigour, spiritual formation, and holistic development. Catholic Education Western Australia (CEWA), the largest non-government education provider in the state, oversees 162 schools serving more than 83,000 students across the region. In Perth and its suburbs, these institutions stand out for their commitment to nurturing well-rounded individuals grounded in Christian values such as compassion, justice, and service. With recent NAPLAN results highlighting strong growth in literacy and numeracy, and impressive ATAR achievements among Year 12 graduates, Perth's Catholic schools continue to deliver exceptional outcomes.

This ranking by TeachingJobs.com.au draws on a comprehensive analysis of academic performance, student wellbeing, learning environments, program diversity, and institutional strength. Factors include NAPLAN scores from MySchool data, WACE/ATAR results from the School Curriculum and Standards Authority (SCSA), school-reported achievements, and holistic metrics from sources like Schools360. The focus remains on K-12 education, emphasising schools that excel in preparing students for university, vocations, and community leadership. Whether you're a parent exploring enrolment options or an educator seeking insights into top performers, this guide provides in-depth profiles of the leading institutions.

🏆 Our Exclusive Ranking Methodology

To rank the top Perth Catholic schools, TeachingJobs.com.au evaluated over 50 CEWA-affiliated institutions using a multi-faceted approach. Academic metrics formed 40% of the score, incorporating Year 5 and 9 NAPLAN reading, writing, numeracy results (2025 data), and median ATARs where applicable. Student wellbeing and engagement (25%) drew from school surveys and growth trajectories. Learning environment and facilities (20%) assessed campus quality, teacher-student ratios, and extracurricular breadth. Program depth (10%) examined curriculum innovation, STEM/arts integration, and vocational pathways. Institutional capability (5%) considered leadership stability and alumni success.

This balanced framework ensures the rankings reflect not just test scores but sustained excellence. Boys' schools often edged ahead due to focused academic cultures, while girls' schools shone in wellbeing. Co-educational options provided versatility for diverse families. All data is current as of early 2026, sourced from verified public reports.

1. Trinity College, East Perth

Topping our list is Trinity College (official site), an independent Catholic boys' school for Years 4-12 located on the Swan River foreshore. Founded in the Edmund Rice tradition, it boasts a Schools360 score of 84.6%, the highest among WA Catholic schools. Academically, Trinity consistently ranks in the top quartile for NAPLAN, with Year 9 students averaging above national benchmarks in numeracy and reading. In 2025 WACE results, multiple graduates achieved ATARs over 95, contributing to CEWA's 64 high achievers cohort.

The college's 1350 students benefit from a 1:12 teacher ratio, modern STEM labs, and extensive sports facilities including oval fields and a gym. Unique programs like the Rice Leadership Initiative foster service-minded young men through community projects and retreats. Extracurriculars span rowing, debating, and robotics, with alumni excelling in medicine, engineering, and public service. Parents praise the supportive pastoral care, which integrates faith formation with mental health resources. Enrolments are competitive, prioritising Catholic families but open to others.

2. St Brigid's College, Lesmurdie

Nestled in the Perth Hills, St Brigid's College offers co-educational Kindergarten to Year 6 and girls-only Years 7-12 with boarding options. Scoring 80.0% on Schools360, it excels in student wellbeing and leadership stability. NAPLAN results place it among top performers, particularly in writing and grammar for primary years. Secondary students achieved strong 2025 ATARs, with several earning SCSA subject exhibitions.

Spread across 14 hectares, the campus features heritage buildings alongside contemporary learning spaces like interactive whiteboards and outdoor classrooms. The Mercy Sisters' legacy emphasises compassion, evident in the Brigid's Buddies mentoring program pairing senior girls with juniors. Sports include netball, hockey, and equestrian, while arts programs produce award-winning choirs. With a focus on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Maths), girls pursue pathways from academia to apprenticeships. Boarding accommodates 60 students, providing a home-away-from-home with 24/7 supervision.

3. Aquinas College, Salter Point

Aquinas College, a boys' day and boarding school on 154 acres along the Canning River, secures third place with a 79.6% Schools360 score. Known for athletic prowess and academics, it ranks highly in Better Education's non-government highs (top 25%). Year 7-10 NAPLAN exceeds state averages, and 2025 saw robust ATAR results with graduates entering UWA and Curtin University.

Facilities rival elite independents: Olympic-sized pool, theatre, and innovation hub. The Marist Brothers' ethos promotes 'becoming the best you can be for others' via house competitions and faith-based retreats. Vocational training in hospitality and construction complements ATAR streams. Over 120 boarders from regional WA thrive in a structured environment. Teacher quality is exceptional, with many holding Master's degrees and coaching state teams.

4. Iona Presentation College, Mosman Park

Iona Presentation College blends co-ed early learning/primary with girls' secondary, earning 79.3%. Proximity to Perth CBD aids excursions, and NAPLAN scores shine in literacy. In 2025, Iona students like Chloe Ayala earned General Exhibitions and subject excellences in Politics and Law, highlighting CEWA high achievers.

The riverside campus offers art studios, science precincts, and performing arts centre. Presentation Sisters' values drive social justice projects, including partnerships with Indigenous communities. Diverse electives cover languages, design tech, and media. Wellbeing programs include mindfulness and counselling, fostering resilience.

5. Mercedes College, Perth CBD

Mercedes College, Australia's oldest purpose-built Catholic girls' school (1846), scores 78.8%. Central location facilitates internships, and NAPLAN/ATAR data positions it solidly in top 30 non-gov. Mercy values underpin a nurturing environment with strong Year 12 outcomes.

Modernised heritage site includes rooftop garden and tech labs. Programs emphasise leadership, with girls captaining state debating and music ensembles. Pathways include IB Diploma alongside WACE.

Spotlight on Other Top Contenders

Rounding out the top 10: Servite College (Tuart Hill, boys), St Norbert (Queens Park, co-ed), Emmanuel Catholic (Success, co-ed), Mater Dei (Edgewater, co-ed), and Mazenod (Lesmurdie, boys). These schools offer balanced excellence:

• Servite: Improving seniors, strong community.
• St Norbert: Steady results, wellbeing focus.
• Emmanuel: Modern facilities, engagement.
• Mater Dei: Inclusive, stable.
• Mazenod: Vocational strengths.

Academic Benchmarks: NAPLAN and ATAR Deep Dive

Perth Catholic schools outperformed state averages in 2025 NAPLAN, with top primaries like St Paul's Mount Lawley scoring 99/100 on Better Education. Secondaries showed growth in numeracy post-pandemic. CEWA's 64 high achievers included perfect ATARs from Corpus Christi, Iona, and others. For context, NAPLAN (National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy) tests Years 3,5,7,9 on reading, writing, numeracy, grammar, spelling. Bands 8-10 indicate top proficiency. ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admission Rank) scales 0-99.95 for uni entry.

Case study: Trinity's Year 9 cohort averaged Band 9 in reading, linking to targeted phonics interventions.

Teacher Excellence and Career Opportunities

High teacher retention (average 8+ years experience) drives success. CEWA invests in professional development via diocesan programs. Step-by-step: 1) Initial accreditation via AITSL standards; 2) Ongoing PD in differentiation; 3) Mentoring for grads. Explore roles at CEWA.

Innovation and Facilities Shaping Futures

Investments in VR labs, sustainability gardens, and inclusive ed tech set these schools apart. Extracurriculars build soft skills: debating wins at nationals, robotics regionals.

Choosing Your Ideal Perth Catholic School

• Assess fit: Single-sex vs co-ed, boarding needs.
• Visit open days, review MySchool profiles.
• Consider fees (~$10k-$20k pa), scholarships.
• Prioritise values alignment.

Future Outlook for Catholic Education in Perth

With enrolments rising 5% yearly, expansions target STEM and wellbeing. Post-2025 NAPLAN gains signal momentum amid national declines. Challenges like teacher shortages addressed via incentives. Outlook: Continued top-tier performance, integrating AI ethics and global citizenship.