Schools in Geelong: Guide for Families 2026

Schools in Geelong

Geelong has an excellent and compact school system for a regional city. Its proximity to Melbourne means some families access Melbourne private schools, but Geelong has strong options of its own — including one of Victoria's most celebrated independent schools. The region serves families in Geelong city, the Surf Coast (Torquay, Anglesea), the Bellarine Peninsula (Ocean Grove, Queenscliff), and surrounding areas.

Government Schools

Victorian government selective school entry begins at Year 9 (Year 7 entry has been introduced at some Melbourne schools). The main government high schools in Geelong include Geelong High School (East Geelong), Matthew Flinders Girls' Secondary College (Geelong), and Hamlyn Views Campus. Several government primary schools in Newtown, East Geelong, and Highton are consistently well-regarded. Armstrong Creek's new schools are growing to serve the expanding southern Geelong corridor.

Catholic Schools

Catholic Education Diocese of Ballarat operates in the Geelong region. Schools include St Joseph's College (Geelong, Josephite, boys and girls), Iona College (Geelong, co-ed), Sacred Heart College (Newtown, co-ed), and a network of primary schools. Many Catholic schools in Geelong draw from across the region.

Independent Schools

The Geelong College (Newtown, co-ed K-12, Presbyterian) and Geelong Grammar School (Corio, co-ed, one of Australia's most famous schools with the Timbertop Year 9 bush program) dominate Geelong's independent sector. Both are well-funded, co-educational, and academically strong. Fees at both are significant ($25,000-$40,000+).

Finding and Enrolling

Victorian government school enrolments are at education.vic.gov.au. Contact Catholic Diocese of Ballarat and Geelong Grammar/College directly — waiting lists at the top independent schools are long.

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