Victorian Schools Guide: Analyzing VCE Performance

The Victorian Schools Guide, launched by The Age, is an interactive database designed to provide comprehensive insights into the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) performance of schools across Victoria. This tool allows parents and students to assess various metrics, including VCE results, completion rates, and student pathways, for all government, independent, and Catholic schools offering Year 12 education. Users can search for specific schools or explore schools within a 10-kilometre radius to compare performances.

Victorian Schools Guide: All you need to know about your school’s VCE performanceVCE school results: Find your top subject with our Victorian Schools Guide as Surfing, kayaking help Frankston High, while sport gives Melbourne High School a maths methods edgeThe schools that are getting more top scores in VCE English

Central to the guide is the presentation of VCE results, which includes the median study score—a critical indicator of a school's academic standing. The median study score, which ranges from 0 to 50, has an average benchmark of 30. Schools achieving a median score of 35 or higher are considered top performers. Additionally, the guide highlights the percentage of students scoring 40 or above, placing them in the top 10 percent of VCE achievers.

Victorian Schools Guide: All you need to know about your school’s VCE performance

Several schools have distinguished themselves in VCE performance, particularly in English. Haileybury College and Yarra Valley Grammar have shown significant improvements in high English scores over the past decade. Haileybury College reported an increase in students achieving scores of 40 or above in English, rising from 56 in 2016 to 104 in 2025. Yarra Valley Grammar also demonstrated growth, with scores of 40 or higher increasing from 11 to 50 during the same period.

The schools that are getting more top scores in VCE English

While English and mathematics are traditionally strong subjects, some schools excel in specialized electives. For instance, Frankston High School has achieved notable results in outdoor education, with 15 out of 48 students scoring 40 or above. This program emphasizes practical skills and environmental conservation, contributing to a strong school culture and community engagement.

VCE school results: Find your top subject with our Victorian Schools Guide as Surfing, kayaking help Frankston High, while sport gives Melbourne High School a maths methods edge

The Age plans to continuously update the Victorian Schools Guide with new data sets to further assist families in making informed school choices. The interactive dashboard aims to enhance transparency and accessibility of educational performance data across Victoria.

Victorian Schools Guide: All you need to know about your school’s VCE performance

Some educators caution against an overly prescriptive teaching approach, arguing that while explicit instruction is beneficial, it should not stifle student creativity and independent thought. The balance between guidance and fostering originality remains a topic of discussion among educators.

The schools that are getting more top scores in VCE English

The Victorian Schools Guide will continue to evolve, incorporating additional data and insights to support families in navigating educational choices in Victoria. As new VCE results are released, the guide will be updated to reflect the latest performance metrics.

Victorian Schools Guide: All you need to know about your school’s VCE performance