Choosing a state school

Welcome to Education Queensland. We're proud to be the main provider of school education to Queensland with 70 percent of all Queensland school students attending state schools. The department is responsible for 1235 schools staffed by more than 38 400 teachers and attended by almost 488 000 students.

Queensland state education operates as a partnership between schools and their communities. All state schools are co-educational. Primary schools offer education from Prep to Year 7 and secondary schools offer education from Years 8 to 12.

From 2015, Year 7 will become part of high school in Queensland.

The school year usually runs from late January to mid December. It is divided into two semesters, with two terms in each and vacation breaks for Easter, winter, spring and summer.

Children usually attend the state school closest to where they live; however, parents can send their children to the state school of their choice, depending on available places. Some schools have an enrolment management plan that means students may not be able to attend unless they live within the designated catchment zone.

Parents can search for schools in their local area via the Schools Directory.

Make contact early to allow time to visit a number of schools. Principals or other staff members can provide tours, classroom visits and information.

To help decide which school is best for your child, consider the following:

What are your child's needs and interests? Will the school be able to cater for them?
Is the school reasonably close to home, work and carers?
What facilities does the school offer? Are you comfortable with the feel of it?
Are the staff supportive and welcoming?
What curriculum programs are offered?
What are the school policies on homework, discipline and safety?
Does the school offer other related services such as after school care?

Educators recommend word-of-mouth as a good starting point as often parents' most important reference group is their friends and neighbours.

School websites are also a good starting point for parents to understand the culture and philosophy of a school.

Parents may wish to ask prospective schools:

the size of the school
when to enroll
appropriate class placement
teaching methods and classroom environment
uniform policy
school hours
fees and levies
assessment and reporting procedures
available resources, e.g. library, internet, computers
extracurricular activities
communication between home and school
religious affiliations and values
student participation, e.g. school council
parental involvement, e.g. parents and citizens' association.

Most schools conduct a starting school program for students entering Prep. Students are usually invited to visit their new school the year before starting so they can get to know the environment. Many schools set up buddy systems with older children.

Copies of the school rules or code of conduct, newsletters, prospectus and annual report will give you further information about the school and its activities.

More information

Education facilities in Queensland
Enriched education
Instrumental program
New state schools
See what's happening in state schools

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This page was last reviewed on 17 Jun 2011