South Australia is home to plenty of private schools. Typically, these cost between $20,000 and $30,000 per year and offer some of the best educational options available in the state. Here are the 15 most expensive private secondary schools in Adelaide and South Australia.
| Rank | School | Type | 2025 Tuition Fee | Boarding Fee | Founded | Known For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pembroke School – Kensington Park | Co-ed Day | $33,120 (Approx.) | - | 1974 | Academic excellence, co-educational learning, and international programs |
| 2 | St Peter’s College – St Peters | Boys’ Day & Boarding | $32,910 (Approx.) | $33,980 (Approx.) | 1847 | Heritage, leadership programs, and top academic results |
| 3 | Prince Alfred College – Kent Town | Boys’ Day & Boarding | $32,640 (Approx.) | $30,480 (Approx.) | 1869 | Academic results, sport, and brotherhood culture |
| 4 | Walford Anglican School for Girls – Hyde Park | Girls’ Day & Boarding | $32,520 (Approx.) | $28,100 (Approx.) | 1893 | Academic success, performing arts, and community spirit |
| 5 | Seymour College – Glen Osmond | Girls’ Day & Boarding | $32,400 (Approx.) | $30,735 (Approx.) | 1922 | Academic excellence, leadership, and co-curricular programs |
| 6 | St Peter’s Girls’ School – Stonyfell | Girls’ Day | $32,300 (Approx.) | - | 1894 | IB programs, academic excellence, and modern facilities |
| 7 | Scotch College Adelaide – Torrens Park | Co-ed Day & Boarding | $32,120 (Approx.) | $27,040 (Approx.) | 1919 | Outdoor education, leadership, and global learning initiatives |
| 8 | Pulteney Grammar School – Adelaide CBD | Co-ed Day | $31,350 (Approx.) | - | 1847 | Academic diversity, arts programs, and city location |
| 9 | Wilderness School – Medindie | Girls’ Day & Boarding | $29,532 (Approx.) | $27,500 (Approx.) | 1884 | Academic results, wellbeing, and leadership in girls’ education |
| 10 | Westminster School – Marion | Co-ed Day & Boarding | $28,728 (Approx.) | $27,000 (Approx.) | 1961 | Academic achievement, performing arts, and community focus |
| 11 | Loreto College – Marryatville | Girls’ Day | $27,000 (Approx.) | - | 1905 | Faith-based learning, girls’ empowerment, and leadership |
| 12 | Immanuel College – Novar Gardens | Co-ed Day & Boarding | $26,800 (Approx.) | $27,000 (Approx.) | 1895 | International programs, sport, and co-educational environment |
| 13 | Sacred Heart College – Somerton Park | Co-ed Day & Boarding | $25,500 (Approx.) | $26,500 (Approx.) | 1897 | Catholic values, sport, and performing arts |
| 14 | St Ignatius’ College – Athelstone/Norwood | Co-ed Day | $21,463 (Approx.) | - | 1951 | Jesuit education, debating, and social justice |
| 15 | St John’s Grammar School – Belair | Co-ed Day | $21,180 (Approx.) | - | 1958 | Academic care, community, and outdoor education |
1. Pembroke School – Kensington Park
One of Adelaide's most respected co-educational schools, Pembroke School can be found in the leafy eastern suburb of Kensington Park. This private school was founded from the merger of King's College and Girton Girls' School in 1974. Since then, it's offered seamless education from early learning through to Year 12 and provided strong academic results.
Its forward-looking curriculum includes international study and language programs, with students enjoying modern facilities and small class sizes. Pembroke School prepares students for both university and life with its mix of tradition and innovation. The result is socially responsible young adults who thrive in diverse settings.
2. St Peter’s College – St Peters
St Peter's College is Adelaide's oldest and most prestigious boys' school. It was founded in 1847, like many of Australia's most expensive schools, and today combines tradition and innovation at its impressive campus in St Peters near the River Torrens. The school is synonymous with academic excellence, promoting inquiry-based learning and extensive co-curricular programs in sport, music, debating, and service.
Boarding has always been part of school life here, and the school still attracts students from regional South Australia and abroad. In total, tuition and boarding would exceed $65,000 per year, but with tuition at close to $33,000, the school is among the most expensive in the state.
3. Prince Alfred College – Kent Town
Prince Alfred College, or "PAC", has been teaching South Australian boys since 1969. The school is close to Adelaide's CBD in Kent Town. Like NSW's most prestigious schools, it offers a broad academic program that includes both SACE and IB Diploma pathways. Students at PAC are encouraged to develop discipline and integrity through sports, music, or community initiatives. This is one of the state's leading independent schools, and every student is challenged to reach their potential during their time here.
4. Walford Anglican School for Girls – Hyde Park
Walford Anglican School for Girls is located in Adelaide's inner south. Established in 1893, it is one of Australia's leading independent girls' schools. A rigorous academic program, exceptional facilities for the arts, science, and sport, and an emphasis on well-being, leadership, and global citizenship make this a fine establishment. Students at Walford Anglican School for Girls can access cocurricular opportunities from STEM clubs to performing arts and community service.
5. Seymour College – Glen Osmond
Seymour College is an independent girls' school in Glen Osmond at the base of the Adelaide Hills. Established in 1922, it has since offered a well-rounded education that balances academics with leadership and well-being. The 25-hectare campus includes open grounds, heritage buildings, and cutting-edge learning environments. Consistently placed among the top schools in South Australia, Seymour College offers co-curricular programs in sport, music, debating, and, like some of Melbourne's top schools, outdoor education. This is one of Adelaide's most expensive schools, but it also produces confident, capable young women.
6. St Peter’s Girls’ School – Stonyfell
St Peter's Girls' School, or "Saints Girls", is one of the country's best schools for young women. It's located on the slopes of Stonyfell, where it combines heritage with a forward-thinking approach to education. It was founded in 1894 and has a long history of exceptional academic performance. It offers both the SACE and IB pathways while also encouraging curiosity, creativity, and collaboration through its diverse science, technology, performing arts, and sport programs.
7. Scotch College Adelaide – Torrens Park
Scoth College Adelaide was founded in 1919. It has a reputation for balanced educational programs that nurture intellect, character, and well-being. Offering both SACE and IB pathways, the program provides students with flexible options. The curriculum focuses on outdoor education, entrepreneurship, and service learning, while the school also excels in music and performing arts.
8. Pulteney Grammar School – Adelaide CBD
Pulteney Grammar School is in Adelaide's CBD. This is a dynamic co-educational learning environment and one of South Australia's oldest independent schools. With small class sizes and personalised attention, the academic outcomes from Pulteney Grammar School are excellent.
9. Wilderness School – Medindie
Wilderness School is one of Australia's leading independent girls' schools. The school offers a balanced curriculum that combines intellectual challenge and personal growth, encouraging girls to develop independence and integrity. The school also boasts cocurricular activities like music, sport, debate, and community service.
10. Westminster School – Marion
Westminster School is located in the southern suburb of Marion. This is one of Adelaide's most prestigious co-educational independent schools. Founded in 1961, it is one of the newer private schools, yet it has over half a century of providing top-quality education.
11. Loreto College – Marryatville
Loreto College has been teaching girls for over a century. It's part of the global network of Lorteo schools founded by the Sisters of Loreto, inspired by the values of Mary Ward. This school combines faith, academic challenge, and leadership development. The curriculum focuses on curiosity, critical thinking, and creativity, with pastoral care programs that foster resilience and empathy. Modern learning spaces, science laboratories, and dedicated facilities for the performing arts mean that students can learn in the best environments.
12. Immanuel College – Novar Gardens
Immanuel College is a Lutheran co-educational day and boarding school. It's located in Novar Gardens near Glenelg. Students have the option of both SACE and IB Diploma pathways. With a focus on well-being, integrity, leadership, and intellectual growth, the school is also home to innovative facilities like STEM centres and performance spaces that help it achieve its educational outcomes.
13. Sacred Heart College – Somerton Park
Like some of Queensland's most expensive schools, Sacred Heart College is a Catholic school with a commitment to faith-based learning. It's located at Somertoon Park, just minutes from the beach. It was founded in 1897 and is known for its excellence in academics, sport, and the arts.
14. St Ignatius’ College – Athelstone/Norwood
St Ignatius' College is a Jesuit co-educational school. It has campuses in Norwood and Athelson. It's dedicated to developing young people who are intellectually capable and socially conscious through its curriculum and co-curricular options. St Ignatius' College is a respected name in South Australian education thanks to the graduates it produces.
15. St John’s Grammar School – Belair
St John's Grammar School teaches students from Early Learning through Year 12. Similar to WA's most prestigious schools, this SA school combines academic rigour and a caring and inclusive environment. With a focus on academic growth, well-being, and environmental awareness, the school achieves its academic and pastoral goals through small class sizes and personalised learning. St. John's produces graduates who share the school's values: care, creativity, courage, and confidence.
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