As Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) results for 2025 are released, students, families, and educators are looking closely at which schools achieved the strongest academic outcomes.
In this blog, we analyse the Top 10 VCE schools in Victoria for 2025 based on Better Education school rankings (which use median VCE scores and the percentage of study scores of 40 or above) and supplementary data on ATAR distribution. We include key metrics such as the percentage of scores 40+, median VCE score, location, whether the school offers the International Baccalaureate (IB), and the number of students in the graduating cohort where available.
This overview will help you understand not only which schools performed well, but what that performance looks like in concrete, comparative terms.
VCE 2025: Statewide Overview
Here are the major numbers that defined the 2025 cohort:
- 65,586 students completed the VCE in 2025
- 42 students achieved a perfect 99.95 ATAR (comprising 27 males, 14 females and 1 gender x)
- 719 perfect scores of 50 were awarded
- 23,494 study scores of 40 or above, representing 25% of all study scores.
- The average ATAR in 2025 was 69.48
- By gender, the average ATAR for girls was 70.20, the average ATAR for boys was 68.60, and the average ATAR for gender neutral students was 72.40.
This year’s results reflect:
- A strong performance overall, with thousands of students attaining scores that place them among the state’s academic elite.
- A continuation of the trend towards high participation in STEM and Languages, alongside traditional strengths in English and the Humanities.
- The impact of high-performing selective schools and independent institutions, which remain key contributors to the state’s highest scores.
💡To better understand how these results translate into tertiary selection outcomes, it’s important to understand how ATARs are calculated, including the role of study scores, scaling, and subject combinations.
Understanding VCE Scores School Rankings
When evaluating VCE school rankings we are looking at:
- Scores of 40+ (%): The proportion of study scores above 40 out of 50.
- Median VCE Score: The midpoint of all VCE study scores at the school.
- Number of Students: Size of the Year 12 (Units 3/4) cohort.
- IB Status: Whether the school offers the International Baccalaureate.
💡Differences in school performance are also influenced by subject choice and cohort strength, which is explored in more detail in our breakdown of how subject scaling affects school results in 2025.
Top 50 Schools in Victoria Based on VCE Results
The top 50 VCE schools in Victoria in 2025 have once again set a high bar for academic achievement, with strong indicators across key metrics such as study scores of 40+, median VCE score, and student cohort size.
Here are the top-performing schools in the 2025 VCE, based on the percentage of scores above 40%
- Ballarat Clarendon College retained its top spot with a stellar 35% of study scores at 40 or above, and a median of 37.
- MacRobertson Girls High School, a selective entry school, closely followed with strong consistency and the largest cohort in the top 10.
- Bacchus Marsh Grammar made waves with a 33.3% 40+ rate despite having only 55 students, highlighting its excellence in a smaller learning environment.
- Nossal High School continued its strong academic performance, tied for the highest median score (37) in the top 10.
- Haileybury College (Girls) and Ruyton Girls' School both maintained high scores and strong medians, further cementing their reputations.
- Melbourne Girls Grammar and Melbourne Grammar School showed steady improvements, while Melbourne High School remained a top performer among government-selective schools.
- Huntingtower School rounded out the list, holding its place with a 27.7% 40+ success rate.
💡For schools offering both pathways, understanding IB to ATAR conversion can provide valuable context when comparing outcomes between VCE and International Baccalaureate cohorts.
Strong Performers Outside the Top 10
While the top 10 VCE schools often receive the most attention, there are several exceptional schools just outside this group that consistently deliver outstanding academic results, high medians, and a strong percentage of study scores over 40. These schools may differ in size, location, or educational philosophy, but each demonstrates a strong commitment to academic excellence and student success.
Loreto Mandeville Hall Toorak
A leading independent girls’ school in Melbourne’s inner suburbs, Loreto Toorak consistently produces outstanding VCE outcomes. Its high-achieving cohort excels across English, Humanities, and Languages, supported by a strong academic and pastoral framework.
Camberwell Grammar School
Known for academic consistency and a balanced approach to education, Camberwell Grammar continues to perform strongly. The school’s focus on excellence in STEM and the Humanities, combined with a robust co-curricular offering, sets students up for long-term success.
Korowa Anglican Girls’ School
Korowa remains a top-performing independent school for girls, with a nurturing environment and personalised academic support. Its VCE results reflect strong performances across a wide range of subjects, particularly in English and Science.
Ivanhoe Grammar School
Offering both the VCE and IB pathways, Ivanhoe Grammar supports a diverse student body across two campuses. The school’s solid academic record, combined with its emphasis on global citizenship, keeps it among the state’s high achievers.
Scotch College
With its large and competitive cohort, Scotch College continues to impress in VCE performance. The school is especially strong in Maths, Sciences, and English, and its offering of both VCE and IB makes it a consistently top-tier academic institution.
💡It’s also worth considering performance alongside accessibility and outcomes, particularly when comparing selective and high-performing schools in Victoria across different sectors.
How Did 2025 VCE Results Stack Up Against 2024?
With the expanded Top 50 analysis, the 2025 VCE results paint a clearer picture of how academic performance across Victoria has evolved since 2024. While the very top of the rankings remained relatively stable, the broader Top 50 revealed meaningful movement, increased competition, and a growing depth of high-performing schools across different sectors and regions.
💡For a clearer year-on-year comparison, you can also explore the 2024 VCE school rankings, which highlight how consistent top performers and emerging schools have shifted over time.
Stability Among Elite Performers
At the top end, several schools demonstrated remarkable consistency year on year. Ballarat Clarendon College retained its number one position in 2025, strengthening its lead by increasing the proportion of study scores of 40+ from 34.7% in 2024 to 35.0% in 2025. Similarly, MacRobertson Girls High School and Nossal High School remained among the top-ranked schools, continuing to post 40+ rates above 32% alongside strong median VCE scores of 37.
This consistency reflects long-term academic cultures rather than cohort-specific results, particularly among selective and academically focused schools.
Significant Movers and New Standouts
Looking beyond the Top 10, the expanded Top 50 highlights some of the most notable changes between 2024 and 2025. Bacchus Marsh Grammar emerged as one of the standout performers, surging into the Top 3 in 2025 after sitting outside the Top 50 the previous year. Despite a small cohort, the school’s strong top-end performance underscores how targeted teaching and subject strength can significantly influence rankings.
Other schools such as Suzanne Cory High School, Camberwell Girls Grammar School, and Yarra Valley Grammar School also recorded noticeable upward movement, reflecting improved depth of performance across larger cohorts.
💡As students prepare for the year ahead, careful planning around assessment dates and revision is essential, making it helpful to refer to the full VCE exam timetable for 2025.
Increased Competition and Ranking Compression
While many schools maintained strong academic outcomes, the Top 50 data shows that small differences in 40+ percentages now separate large groups of schools. As a result, several institutions experienced minor ranking shifts despite maintaining similar median VCE scores and overall performance.
For example, schools like Melbourne High School, Mount Scopus Memorial College, and St Catherine’s School slipped modestly in rank, not due to declining standards, but because of increased competition from rising schools across the state.
💡To see what top-end performance looks like at an individual level, this student story offers insight into what achieving a 99+ ATAR looks like in practice.
Broader Trends Across Victoria
The full Top 50 comparison reveals several important statewide trends:
- The overall academic standard across Victoria remained stable, with median VCE scores for Top 50 schools typically ranging between 34 and 37.
- The depth of high-end achievement improved slightly, with more schools producing over 20% of study scores at 40+.
- Regional, government, and non-selective schools were more visible within the Top 50, signalling broader access to high-quality academic outcomes beyond traditionally elite metropolitan schools.
Key Takeaway
Taken together, the 2025 results suggest a more competitive and evenly distributed VCE landscape. While elite schools continue to dominate the top positions, the expanded Top 50 shows that strong academic performance is becoming increasingly widespread—giving students and families more high-quality options than ever before.
💡Many of the top-ranked schools also show strong enrolments in high-scaling VCE subjects, which plays a role in shaping their overall academic profiles.
Final Thoughts
The 2025 VCE results reaffirm the high standard of education in Victoria, with schools across the state showing excellence in academic achievement. Whether you're a parent researching school options or a student aiming for the best, these rankings offer useful insights into where top results are being achieved.
