Independent (Non-denominational Christian) · girls · Adelaide
Wilderness School
Independent (Non-denominational Christian) girls school in Medindie, Adelaide. Year 13 gap-year style program
In short
Is Wilderness School a good private school?
Wilderness School is a independent (non-denominational christian) girls private school based in Medindie, Adelaide. ICSEA 1178 (Australian median is 1000). 2026 Year 12 tuition is $28,515. Independent (Non-denominational Christian) girls school in Medindie, Adelaide. Year 13 gap-year style program
Profile information cross-referenced against public sources at time of publication. Verify a provider's current credentials directly with the relevant Australian regulator before engaging.
Key takeaways
- Wilderness School is a Independent (Non-denominational Christian) school in Medindie, Adelaide (girls).
- ICSEA score: 1178 (the Australian median is 1000; top tier).
- 2026 Year 12 tuition: $28,515.
- Boarding available.
- Founded in 1884.
5-year fee projection
What you can expect to pay 2026–2031
Based on Wilderness School's current Year 12 fee of $28,515, here's what fees could look like over the next 6 years under three indexation scenarios. Most Australian independent schools index fees between 3.5% and 6% annually.
| Year | Low (+3.5%) | Mid (+4.5%) | High (+5.5%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 (current) | $28,515 | $28,515 | $28,515 |
| 2027 | $29,513 | $29,798 | $30,083 |
| 2028 | $30,546 | $31,139 | $31,738 |
| 2029 | $31,615 | $32,540 | $33,483 |
| 2030 | $32,722 | $34,005 | $35,325 |
| 2031 | $33,867 | $35,535 | $37,268 |
| 6-year total (mid) | $191,532 |
Projection methodology: starting from Wilderness School's published 2026 fee, compounded annually at 3 indexation rates representing low / mid / high typical scenarios for Australian independent schools. Actual fees depend on the school's own indexation policy + economic conditions; this is illustrative rather than guaranteed. Excludes uniforms, technology levies, camps, additional services + boarding (unless shown separately).
Planning tip: for a Year 7 entry in 2027, the 6-year tuition-only total is approximately $191,532 (mid scenario). Compare against scholarship pathways + public alternatives before committing.
Academic outcomes
Wilderness School's Year 12 ATAR results
Most recent published cohort. Compare against the national outcomes leaderboard to see where Wilderness School sits among Australia's top-performing private schools.
Year 12 academic outcomes
Wilderness School
SACE cohort, most recent published year
96.70
Median ATAR
cohort median
21%
% ATAR 99+
Top 1% nationally
65%
% ATAR 95+
Top 5%
80%
% ATAR 90+
Top 10%
Source: Better Education SACE rankings. ATAR figures published by the school or the state results notification.
National leaderboard →NAPLAN context
Wilderness School's NAPLAN benchmark
2025 national + state means for Year 9 — the benchmark to compare against Wilderness School's individual school result on MySchool.
National Y9 Reading
567.7
2025 mean (all students)
SA state mean
556.4
South Australia Y9 Reading mean
National Y9 Numeracy
572.6
2025 mean (all students)
For Wilderness School's actual NAPLAN figures, use MySchool. It publishes the school's per-domain mean, % in each proficiency band, Year 5 → Year 9 student gain, and "similar schools" comparison (the right metric for value-add).
View Wilderness School on MySchoolNew to NAPLAN reading? Read our parent's guide — what each year level + domain measures, the parental-education premium, and what to look for on MySchool.
Fee history
How Wilderness School's fees have moved 2018 → 2026
The 9-year tuition trajectory for a Year 12 student. Compare against the national fee-inflation tracker to see how this school's pace stacks up against the wider sector.
Year 12 fee history
Wilderness School
2018 → 2026 tuition fee progression (AUD, tuition only)
+42.1%
8-year change
$20,062
2018 fee
$28,515
2026 fee
4.5%
Per year (CAGR)
Pre-2026 figures are computed by applying the ABS secondary-education price index (Cat 6401.0) backwards year-by-year from the school's verified 2026 fee. Audit sample shows estimates within ±5% of actual fees for most schools. Per-school verified historical chains will be added as we complete audits of each school's annual reports.
Location + links
Find Wilderness School
Medindie, Adelaide, Australia.
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What Wilderness School offers
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Common questions
Wilderness School FAQs
What are Wilderness School's 2026 fees?
Wilderness School's 2026 fee schedule lists Year 12 tuition at $28,515. Fees typically index 3.5–6% annually — model 6-year totals using our calculator before committing. Additional levies (technology, camps, uniform, capital) usually add 8–15% on top of the headline tuition.
What is Wilderness School's ICSEA score?
Wilderness School has an ICSEA score of 1178. The Australian median is 1000; ICSEA measures the socio-educational advantage of the parent community (not academic value-add). Schools at 1150+ are top decile nationally. ICSEA is published by ACARA on MySchool and updated each calendar year.
Does Wilderness School offer boarding?
Yes, Wilderness School offers boarding. Boarding fees are charged in addition to tuition. Most AU boarding schools also charge a separate annual boarding levy + activities fee.
Where is Wilderness School based?
Wilderness School is primarily based in Adelaide, Australia, and serves clients across Adelaide and surrounding areas. Check with the provider directly for specific service-area coverage.
What are the alternatives to Wilderness School?
Our independent ranking of the top private schools in Australia includes Melbourne Grammar School, Scotch College, Wesley College. Each has different strengths — see our comparison for a side-by-side breakdown.
How much do private schools cost in Australia in 2026?
Elite independent schools (Geelong Grammar, Sydney Grammar, Scotch College, Methodist Ladies' College): $42,000-$55,000/year for Year 12. Mid-tier independents: $25,000-$38,000/year. Catholic systemic schools: $4,000-$10,000/year. Boarding adds $25,000-$45,000 on top. Year 7-9 fees typically 30-40% lower than Year 12. Total K-12 cost: $400,000-$650,000 for elite schools, $40,000-$120,000 for Catholic systemic. Add $5,000-$15,000/year for uniforms, IT, camps, music tuition.
When should I apply for a private school?
Elite schools (Scotch, Geelong Grammar, Sydney Grammar): apply at birth or before age 2 for Year 7 entry. Waiting lists at top schools are 1,000+ children. Mid-tier independents: apply 2-4 years before entry year. Catholic systemic: 12-24 months before entry year. Most competitive entry points: Reception (limited places open most spots), Year 7 (start of secondary, biggest intake), Year 11 (VCE/HSC start). Apply to 4-8 schools simultaneously to maximise options.
What's ICSEA and how does it relate to school quality?
ICSEA (Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage) measures the socio-economic background of a school's community. Average is 1000. Elite private schools typically score 1180-1230. ICSEA correlates strongly with academic outcomes, but it measures family advantage, not school teaching quality. To assess teaching quality, look at "value-added" data (how much the school improves students above their starting point), Education Department websites publish this. A school with ICSEA 1200 should produce strong results; a school with ICSEA 1100 producing strong results is doing more impressive teaching.
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