Guides for parents
Everything we wish every parent knew before choosing a school, written without jargon.
Choosing a school
How to Choose a School in Australia: The Complete Parent Checklist
A step-by-step framework for choosing a primary or high school: what the data can tell you, what it can't, the questions to ask on a tour, and how to decide.
11 min read
Public vs Catholic vs Independent Schools in Australia: What the Data Says
An even-handed comparison of government, Catholic and independent schools: cost, results, class sizes, who attends, and how to decide which sector suits your family.
9 min read
Understanding the data
What Is ICSEA? A Plain-English Guide for Parents
ICSEA explained: what the Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage measures, how it is calculated, what a 'good' ICSEA is, and how to use it without misreading it.
7 min read
NAPLAN Explained: How to Read the Results and What They Don't Tell You
What NAPLAN tests, the four proficiency levels, how to interpret your child's report and a school's results, and the limits of using NAPLAN to compare schools.
8 min read
VCE Study Scores Explained: What Is a Good Score and How to Read School Results
How VCE study scores work, what the median study score and the percentage of scores 40+ tell you about a school, how ATAR is calculated from them, and the limits of ranking schools on results.
7 min read
How School Rankings Work in Australia (and How to Use Ours)
What different Australian school ranking sites actually measure, why they disagree, the limits of any ranking, and how our Success Index is built.
7 min read
Pathways
Selective Schools, Opportunity Classes and Gifted Programs: A State-by-State Guide
How academically selective entry works in NSW, Victoria, Queensland, WA, SA and the ACT, when to apply, what is tested, and how to prepare without burning your child out.
10 min read
From Primary to High School: How to Prepare Your Child (Starting in Year 4)
A timeline from Year 4 to Year 7: when to apply, what to look for in a high school, the academic foundations that matter most, and how to make the transition smooth.
8 min read
Enrolment
School Catchments and Enrolment Zones: How Public School Enrolment Works
How catchment areas work in each state, how to check whether an address is in-zone, what proof is required, and what to do if the school you want is out of area.
7 min read
School Starting Age in Australia: Cut-Off Dates by State and How to Decide
When children can and must start school in each state and territory, what the first year is called, how to decide whether to send an eligible child or wait a year, and how to get them ready.
7 min read
Supporting your child
Free academic assessment
Is your child on track?
Rankings tell you about a school community. A free Success Tutoring assessment tells you about your child: exactly where they are in English and Maths, where the gaps are, and a plan to close them. Small-group, Australian-curriculum tutoring with no lock-in contracts.
- Personalised learning plan mapped to the Australian Curriculum
- English & Maths from Kindergarten to Year 12
- Flexible memberships, no lock-in contracts
- Centres across NSW, VIC, QLD, WA, SA and ACT