The best primary schools in Adelaide accept children aged five to ten. Although, that is relatively a prerequisite. However, children are legally obliged to attend primary school at the age of six.
As the importance of early education for kids continues to deepen, early learning can never be underemphasized, at least not in the nearest future.
And, while this seems glaring and unlikely to change anytime soon, the debate on the best primary schools in Adelaide continues to be thrown around—and will remain so for an unforeseeable future.
Adelaide is a Sothern Australian city known for its rich academic history and renowned scholars.
That said, if your question is, if there are good primary schools in Adelaide, then the simple answer is a big YES!
There are, in fact, many top primary schools in Adelaide. Both primary and secondary education in the city is considered one of the best in the country.
About the city of Adelaide
Adelaide is the only Australian city that has provided three Noble laureates: pathologists Howard Florey and Robin Warren and physicist William Lawrence Bragg. No wonder the city is nicknamed Australia’s education hub, aka Learning City.
These accolades stem from the outstanding teaching offered by both the public and private primary schools in Adelaide.
The quality of education offered by some top primary schools in Adelaide has not only attracted more international students from far and wide, but it has also attracted dozens of foreign schools and institutions to set up campuses across the city of Adelaide. With that, there are a plethora of options for families.
The popularity of Adelaide in terms of education over the past decades is second to none. That in itself has jointly contributed immensely to bringing more families to the city and making it what it is today.
Check Also: Top 10 Best Primary Schools in Perth
In addition, to further enhance the ease of learning for every child, Adelaide has two systems of school education: Public, Private, and Catholic.
The public primary schools in Adelaide are administered by the South Australian Government, whereas the private primary schools in Adelaide are independently managed and administered by an independent administration.
Ultimately, primary schools in Adelaide provide education under the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE).
Despite its standing in the parents and students community and even the scholars, Adelaide possesses the highest number of International Baccalaureate (IB) schools in Australia.
That said, one would agree that Adelaide, is for a fact, home to some of Australia’s most prestigious schools and institutions.
Top 10 Best Primary Schools in Adelaide, Australia
1. Mitcham Primary School
| GRADES | R – 7 |
| TELEPHONE | +61 8 8271 2227 |
| ENROLLMENT | ~766 |
| ADDRESS | Adelaide, SA, Australia 5062 |
| dl.0270.info@schools.sa.edu.au | |
| WEBSITE | mitchamps.sa.edu.au |
Mitcham Primary School is a Local Intake, public coeducational school located on Hillview Road, Kingswood. It was established in 1847 and remains the oldest existing school in South Australia.
Mitcham’s Local Intake Area includes the suburbs of Torrens Park, Netherby, Kingswood, Hawthorn, and Mitcham area. Presently, the school caters to approximately 766 students from Reception to Year 7.
This is ideal for parents who are planning to get their child enrolled in a school that appreciates the needs and interests of a child, while also working to provide positive and enriching programs.
At Mitcham, each child is valued and given the needed support, and opportunity to grow.
2. Parkside Primary School
| GRADES | R – 7 |
| TELEPHONE | 8271 2437 |
| ENROLLMENT | ~500 |
| ADDRESS | Parkside SA 5063 |
| dl.0328_admin@schools.sa.edu.au | |
| CURRICULUM | English; Mathematics; Science; Health and Physical Education; Humanities and Social Sciences; The Arts; Technologies; and Languages |
| WEBSITE | parksideps.sa.edu.au |
Parkside Primary School is a mixed school located on Robsart Street, Adelaide’s inner suburb of Parkside. Founded in 1885 with eight classrooms and an enrollment of 100 students; it is one of South Australia’s oldest Primary Schools and currently caters to approximately 410 students from Reception to Year 6. Children come from different cultural backgrounds to attend this school.
Apart from its rich history and academic achievements, the school provides personalized services to each student in order to develop their love and interest in learning and innovation.
The school strives to support the children in areas such as Information and Communication Technology, and Critical and Creative Thinking.
3. Lockleys North Primary School
| GRADES | R – 7 |
| TELEPHONE | 08 8443 5544 |
| ENROLLMENT | ~467 |
| ADDRESS | Lockleys SA 5032 |
| dl.0911.info@schools.sa.edu.au | |
| WEBSITE | lnps.sa.edu.au |
Lockleys North Primary School is a coeducational, state primary school situated on Malurus Avenue. It was founded in 1960 to cater to the increasing population of children who come from a wide variety of cultural and socio-economic backgrounds. In 2011, it was invited to take part in the Microsoft Innovative Schools Forum.
The school offers a lot of outdoor learning programs, which include a plethora of sporting activities such as Bicycle riding, Gymnasium, and Football.
To promote and deepen children’s understanding of interactive learning, students are given access to Interactive Whiteboards, desktop computers, and PCs. Also, LCD TVs are used as digital display devices in all classrooms.
Private Primary Schools in Adelaide
4. Forbes Primary School
| GRADES | R – 7 |
| TELEPHONE | 08 8293 4343 |
| ENROLLMENT | ~300 |
| CURRICULUM | The Arts, English, Health & Physical Education, Mathematics, Languages other than English (Indonesian), Science, Humanities and Social Sciences, Technology |
| ADDRESS | South Plympton SA |
| dl.0658.info@schools.sa.edu.au | |
| WEBSITE | forbesps.sa.edu.au |
The history of Forbes Primary School could be dated back to 1952 when it was first opened. It was originally founded as a coeducational, public school and located on Thomas Street, South Plympton, South Australia.
Seventy-Eight years on, it left not much to be admired about its student enrollment. Presently, there are approximately 300 students from Reception – Grade 7.
At Forbes, education is made simple and fun through the use of cutting-edge teaching facilities to facilitate learning. These facilities range from modern STEM suites for Science, Technology, Engineering, and math, to a state-of-the-art computer suite with 2D and 3D technology. In addition, there is also a wide variety of outdoor sporting facilities.
That being said, each child is guaranteed a safe and friendly environment to develop and nurture their gifted skills.
5. Rose Park Primary School
| GRADES | R – 7 |
| TELEPHONE | 08 8331 7521 |
| ADDRESS | Rose Park SA 5067 |
| dl.0169.info@schools.sa.edu.au | |
| WEBSITE | roseparkps.sa.edu.au |
Rose Park Primary School is a coeducational public, Local Intake Area primary school. Founded in 1893, the school is located on Alexandra Avenue, Rose Park, South Australia.
Currently, Rose Park School only accepts applications from families living within Rose Park Primary School Catchment Area.
With the enthusiastic staff members to ensure that each child is well nurtured, developed, and stretched in their learning. Rose Park works in collaboration with every child to ensure that they are offered the opportunity to learn and grow.
Rose Park Primary School currently has an enrollment of approximately 580 students in 24 classes from Reception to Year 7.
6. Darlington Primary School
| GRADES | R – 7 |
| TELEPHONE | (08) 8296 3318 |
| CURRICULUM | English, Mathematics, Science, Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS), The Arts, Technologies, Health and Physical Education (PE) |
| ADDRESS | Seacombe Gardens SA 5047 |
| dl.0666.info@schools.sa.edu.au | |
| WEBSITE | darlngtnps.sa.edu.au |
Darlington Primary School is a coeducational primary school located on White Cres, Seacombe Gardens, South Australia. It emphasizes nurturing and developing every child to reach his full potential.
Located on White Cres, Seacombe Gardens, South Australia, the school has a rich history of academic achievements.
At Darlington Primary School, children are provided lessons that resonate with their passion, including an Intensive English Language Program; while also allowing them the freedom to express themselves both in curricular and non-curricular activities. Therefore, stimulating each individual to be the best they can be.
To add to their development, students are encouraged to be involved in extracurricular activities such as performing arts and music.
With Respect, Resilience, and Responsibility as its core values, your child is ensured of a high-quality educational program. Plus a supportive learning environment throughout their stint at the school. This practice has made the school one of the best primary schools in Adelaide.
Public Primary Schools in Adelaide
7. East Adelaide School
| GRADES | R – 7 |
| TELEPHONE | (08) 8362 4164 |
| CURRICULUM | English, Mathematics, Science, HASS (Humanities and Social Sciences), Technologies, The Arts, Languages (Italian), Health and Physical Education |
| ADDRESS | St Peters SA 5069 |
| dl.1036.info@schools.sa.edu.au | |
| WEBSITE | eas.sa.edu.au |
East Adelaide School is a coeducational, state primary school, catering to children from Pre-Primary – To year 7. It is located in St Peters, in the Adelaide Eastern Suburbs region.
East Adelaide School has a rich history of providing excellent academic results; the school offers several developmental programs for students from Reception to Year 7. This program, however, ensures that every child is taken along the progressive part of their education.
In the quest of incorporating physical education into the school extracurricular programs, students are encouraged to appreciate sporting activities such as football, biking, swimming, etc.
However, to strengthen the families-school ties, parents are allowed to take on the responsibility of a team coach.
At East Adelaide School, lessons are based on the Australian Curriculum, which emphasizes literacy skills, communication skills, fostering a growth mindset, resilience, and confidence for all students in order for them to achieve their set goals.
If you wish to send your child to the East Adelaide School, note that priority is given to children living within the school zone.
8. Hampstead Primary School
| GRADES | Preschool – 7 |
| TELEPHONE | (08) 8261 2248 |
| ADDRESS | Greenacres SA 5086 |
| dl.0689.info@schools.sa.edu.au | |
| WEBSITE | hampsteadps.sa.edu.au |
Established in 1956, Hampstead Primary School is a mixed school that provides quality learning and care for Pre-School to Year 7 students.
The school is situated on Muller Road, Greenacres. In addition to its quality teachings, the school is a Kids Matter School, where a child’s well-being and mental health are of top priority.
At Hampstead Primary School, children enjoy the small caring environment of passionate learners and committed teachers and staff members.
The school community is kept small, such that, every staff member knows every child. Small class sizes are one unique facet of the school.
This innovative idea has helped improve students’ performance while keeping them glued to all class activities.
9. Richmond Primary School
| GRADES | R – 7 |
| TELEPHONE | (08) 8293 1863 |
| ADDRESS | Keswick SA 5035 |
| dl.0381.info@schools.sa.edu.au | |
| WEBSITE | richmondps.sa.edu.au |
Richmond Primary School is a coeducational, public school located on Surrey Road, Keswick South Adelaide.
It was founded in 1898 with 172 students and has now grown to provide quality learning programs to children from Reception – Year 7.
In 2017, Richmond Primary School received Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths (STEM) funding. This has helped the learners and teaching staff figure out areas of interest and concentration.
However, the STEM approach to teaching and learning provides learners with a plethora of opportunities to engage in challenging problems and projects.
Students are also offered hands-on practical activities; such as the approach to using new technologies, create innovative solutions to problems.
10. Unley Primary School
| GRADES | Reception – 7 |
| TELEPHONE | 8272 9323 |
| ENROLLMENT | ~510 |
| ADDRESS | Malvern SA 5061 |
| dl.0447.admin@schools.sa.edu.au | |
| WEBSITE | unleyps.sa.edu.au |
Unley Primary School is a public primary school catering for boys and girls within the zoned catchment area. Its history could be traced back to 1879 when it was officially opened with an enrollment of 194 students.
Unley Primary School is a two-campus school that provides quality education to children in a stimulating environment.
In addition to enhancing their mental ability, students are encouraged to do their best with an emphasis on preparing learners for the 21st Century.
With a strong focus on students’ wellbeing, Unley Primary School is considered one of the best primary schools in Adelaide. Also, the school offers a community where everyone is valued and welcomed.
Final Thoughts
Adelaide is the fifth-most populous city in Australia with roughly 1.3 million people. Despite its popularity at many sporting events and festivals, it has a notable history of food and wine, as well as its hills and coastline.
However, being Australia’s academic hub, education is compulsory in South Adelaide from Kindergarten to High school. For this reason, education is increasingly becoming the core part of the city’s economy.
Education in the city is considered top-notched, year-in-year-out, and the South Australian Government is often pushing for quality education across the state to make it even better.
This is evidence of the fact that children studying in any of the listed top primary schools in Adelaide tend to perform well in high school.
