Selective Schools in Victoria: Why Some Families Choose Susan Cory, Melbourne High or Stay with Private Schools

Every year, thousands of students across Victoria prepare for the Selective School Entry Exam. For many families in Melbourne, especially in the western suburbs, the decision becomes bigger than just academics.

Parents often compare schools like Susan Cory High School, Melbourne High School (MHS), and well-known private schools such as Bacchus Marsh Grammar (BMG). Some students receive scholarship offers from private schools while also qualifying for selective schools, making the final decision even harder.

Why Some Families Stay with Private Schools Even After Selective School Offers

One thing many people outside the system do not realise is that some students who qualify for selective schools still decide not to move.

For some families, the current school environment already works very well. Students may already be school leaders, participate in competitions, receive strong teacher support and feel comfortable socially.

A common concern among parents is whether changing schools may affect a child’s confidence or emotional wellbeing, especially if they are already thriving where they are.

Another important factor is travel. Families in Melbourne’s western suburbs often mention the long commute to selective schools. Some students simply do not enjoy spending hours travelling every day.

Parents frequently discuss:

• Daily travel time and exhaustion
• Maintaining friendships and support networks
• Leadership opportunities in current schools
• Sports, competitions and extracurricular activities
• Whether the child is already academically challenged
• Stress and pressure in highly competitive environments

Susan Cory vs Melbourne High School: What Parents Commonly Discuss

Among Victorian selective schools, Susan Cory and Melbourne High School are often compared by families.

Some parents feel Melbourne High School has a longer-established academic reputation and broader alumni network. Others prefer Susan Cory because of its location, modern environment or balanced culture.

Families from the western suburbs sometimes see Susan Cory as more practical due to travel convenience.

Parents also mention that school culture matters just as much as rankings.

The Scholarship Question

Private school scholarships add another layer to the decision.

Some families receive partial or full scholarships worth tens of thousands of dollars. For many parents, declining such offers can feel difficult, especially if the student is already settled and doing well.

There are also practical considerations. Some scholarship agreements may include conditions about leaving before Year 12, and families sometimes weigh this carefully before making decisions.

Interestingly, many parents say they eventually allow the child to make the final choice.

Do Selective Schools Automatically Mean Better Outcomes?

This is another question parents often ask.

Some believe selective schools provide stronger competition and peer motivation. Others believe high-performing students can succeed in many environments if they are self-driven.

There are students from selective schools who achieve excellent ATAR scores. There are also students from private schools and local schools who achieve equally strong results.

Many families now focus less on school prestige alone and more on:

• Student wellbeing
• Confidence and independence
• Teacher support
• Long-term motivation
• Balance between academics and mental health
• Social environment and friendships

Challenges High-Achieving Students Sometimes Face

Another topic quietly discussed among parents is social adjustment for highly academic students.

Some parents feel academically strong children may occasionally struggle to find like-minded friends in certain environments. Others believe selective schools naturally create peer groups where academic achievement feels more normal and accepted.

However, experiences vary greatly from child to child.

Some students become more confident in selective schools. Others miss the comfort and familiarity of their previous school communities.

The Decision Is Deeply Personal

Across Melbourne, families preparing for the Selective School Entry Exam often spend months discussing these choices.

There is excitement, pressure, uncertainty and sometimes even guilt around making the “right” decision.

But one thing many experienced parents seem to agree on is this: