St Leonard's College

Established in 1914, St Leonard’s College is Bayside’s school of choice and one of Melbourne’s premier independent schools, educating students from ELC3 to Year 12. Generations of Leonardians have enjoyed exceptional educational experiences and thrived on the wonderfully diverse opportunities on offer at our college. At St Leonard’s College, our young people are educated in a physically, emotionally and spiritually safe environment where they are genuinely known, nurtured and loved. We are unwavering in our commitment to developing the whole child – head, heart and soul. St Leonard’s College is committed to the authentic values that reflect the community we serve. Our young people are encouraged to take responsibility for their learning and the active daily demonstration of the values we instil. Our students are welcomed into a warm, caring, connected community with an ethical culture founded upon a strong moral purpose: to develop genuine global citizens who respond to inequity, inequality and injustice. As global citizens, our students are armed with the necessary skills, values and attitudes required to build an economic and social future in an increasingly volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous world. Our teachers are carefully selected for their academic prowess in addition to their ability to nurture the development of self-confidence, integrity, resilience and creativity. We seek to develop students who understand that their education is not only about what it can bring to their life, but through them what it can bring to the lives of others. To hear directly from our staff and past students please click here.  A recognised leader in education, in 1972 St Leonard’s College became the first single-sex independent school in the state to introduce co-education. In 2022, we celebrate 50 years delivering co-education. Our vast experience tells us that both boys and girls thrive when they learn and grow together. We offer a genuine co-education, with boys and girls learning alongside each other in an environment that truly reflects life beyond the school gates. Renowned for pedagogical innovation, St Leonard’s College was the first Victorian school to introduce the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) in 1982. Senior School students are offered the highly sought-after choice between the VCE and the IBDP. The IBDP’s international orientation makes it the most highly regarded and respected tertiary entrance qualification by the world’s leading universities. Junior and Middle School students are educated within the expertly designed framework of the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB PYP) — an inquiry-based approach to learning incorporating personal, social and international values. The PYP values independence, initiative and self-motivation, encouraging every student to take responsibility for their learning. The Early Learning Centre program follows the world-renowned Reggio Emilia approach, placing each child at the centre of their own education. This enriching and stimulating educational program focuses on learning through play, nature-based experiences and environmental education. To learn more about our programs please click here.  St Leonard’s College offers the opportunity to achieve excellence in either the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) or the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE). Both of these tertiary pathways provide our year 12 graduates with an Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR). We congratulate our Class of 2022 VCE and IBDP students on their excellent academic results. Approximately 30% of our Class of 2022 opted to undertake the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, and achieved remarkable academic outcomes as noted below. The Class of 2022 has demonstrated their academic brilliance, along with their remarkable resilience, with a set of academic results that endorse St Leonard’s College as one of Australia’s leading independent schools, achieving: For more information, please click here Our cocurricular program encourages our young people to explore their gifts and discover their passions to achieve excellence and fulfilment. Students have the opportunity to develop skills and interests via a rich and diverse cocurriculum program, including debating, public speaking, drama, music, leadership and social justice programs, media production, photography, sport and outdoor education. Our team of expert sporting coaches with state, national and Olympic experience have led students to enjoy unrivalled success in a range of pursuits including athletics, swimming, cross country, snow sports and sailing. Paramount to St Leonard’s educational philosophy is ensuring each child feels safe, valued and develops a sense of belonging. Our graduates leave with the self-assurance and resilience to take advantage of life’s opportunities and overcome its challenges. Our unwavering commitment to the highest standards of pastoral care is demonstrated through our mentor program. Relationships are at the centre of our model of pastoral care and the mentor’s role is pivotal in this context, focusing on each individual student according to their interests, abilities and potential for personal growth. Mentors take a holistic view of their students and come to know them across all domains of school life. Mentors track academic progress, know a student's strengths and weaknesses, and meet regularly with individual students to discuss progress and challenges. To learn more about our wellbeing programs, please click here.   A St Leonard’s College education develops a strong sense of social responsibility through a variety of local, national and international fundraising, community service and social action programs and initiatives. Our students acquire a deep awareness that with great privilege comes great responsibility. A St Leonard’s education prepares young people to take their place in the world and make meaningful contributions to society. The Amiel Society aggregates our rich and diverse programs, committees and interest groups which constitute our College’s unwavering commitment to social justice. To learn more, please click here.  St Leonard’s students enjoy exceptional facilities including modern well-resourced libraries, music centres, theatres, multi-purpose halls and excellent sporting facilities including an indoor aquatic centre, aerobic area and gym. Our visual arts centre provides specialist facilities equipped with the latest resources and impressive gallery areas. Dedicated spaces for science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) programs offer innovative technologies to support student learning. The Senior School building opened in January 2020 and creates a new benchmark in educational spaces featuring a tertiary style lecture, 11 break-out learning spaces, nine collaborative study nooks, a community common area, a custom-built examination space and a new Senior School cafeteria. 2020 also saw the completion of a world-class performing arts centre and 2 new STEM laboratories. To take a virtual tour of the St Leonard’s College world-class facilities, please click here.  St Leonard’s College welcomes enrolment waitlist applications for key intake years: ELC3, Year 5, Year 7 and Year 10 (limited places available). Limited places are also available in other year levels as they arise. For information about the St Leonard’s College access scholarship program, please visit our website. View our College prospectus here. To submit a waitlist application please click here.  For information about the St Leonard’s College scholarship program, please click here.