Best Schools in Toowoomba: Public & Private by Area

Toowoomba's school system is particularly notable for its independent and boarding school tradition: the city has a disproportionately large number of prestigious independent boarding schools for a regional city of its size (170,000), serving the boarding school market from Queensland's agricultural hinterland, the Darling Downs, and the Channel Country. Toowoomba Grammar, Fairholme, The Glennie School, and Downlands College make Toowoomba's boarding school offering among the most significant in regional Australia.

Independent boarding and day schools — Toowoomba Grammar School (South Toowoomba, boys, boarding and day) is one of Queensland's oldest independent schools (est. 1875) with a strong academic and sporting tradition. Fairholme College (Newtown, girls, boarding and day), The Glennie School (Toowoomba CBD, girls, boarding and day), and Toowoomba Anglican College (Middle Ridge, coeducational, newer) are the main independent alternatives. Fees range from $12,000 to $30,000 per year (day) to $45,000+ for boarding.

Catholic schools — Downlands College (Clifton Road, coeducational, boarding and day) is the flagship Catholic independent secondary school, particularly popular with the agricultural families of the Darling Downs and southern Queensland. St Ursula's College (Toowoomba, girls) and Padua College (Toowoomba, boys, Brothers of Christian Instruction) are the other main Catholic secondary options. Fees are moderate relative to the independent sector.

Public schools — Centenary Heights State High School (Middle Ridge) and Toowoomba State High School (Toowoomba CBD) are the main public secondary options. Highfields State Secondary College (Highfields) serves the northern growth corridor. The Toowoomba public primary schools in the inner suburbs (East Toowoomba, South Toowoomba) are generally well regarded.

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