Xavier College

Reviews

• Harrington Whaley

  ★☆☆☆☆2025-11-16T23:44:16.574610104Z

  “Teachers don't care if you need help, they don't adress situations with other students. Luck of the draw if your sending your son here.”

• Jamie Faro

  ★☆☆☆☆2025-04-29T17:40:56.750436Z

  “**A Cautionary Tale from a Former Student** I attended Xavier College, and I say this with clarity and conviction: I would never recommend this school to any family who values their child’s emotional well-being, individuality, or true education. What appears to be a prestigious institution is, in reality, a deeply flawed system disguised by tradition, legacy, and surface-level excellence. From the outside, Xavier looks like a beacon of opportunity—elite, disciplined, reputable. But once inside, the cracks reveal themselves. It is a place where genuine care is performative, and where critical thinking, creativity, and emotional sensitivity are liabilities rather than strengths. If your child questions the norm, thinks differently, or dares to be himself, he will likely be dismissed, misunderstood, or quietly broken down until he fits the mold. I was one of those kids. Quiet, respectful, eager to learn—but different. I didn’t need special treatment. I needed support, space to grow, and educators who saw me for who I was. What I received instead was detachment, disinterest, and a curriculum built more on control than curiosity. My capacity to think independently was met not with encouragement, but with subtle forms of rejection. Over time, this chipped away at my confidence, my sense of self, and my emotional safety. Behind the polished speeches and manicured lawns lies a culture obsessed with legacy—where sons are enrolled not for who they are, but because their fathers came before them. It’s a closed loop of tradition mistaken for value. Pride in the uniform masks a system that too often rewards obedience and punishes difference. This isn’t education—it’s indoctrination. It grooms boys to perform, to conform, to follow orders dressed up as discipline, while calling it “success.” Yes, schools are imperfect. Challenges are part of growing up. I’m not naïve to that. But Xavier wasn’t just a tough environment—it was a psychologically damaging one. It was a place where being different meant being sidelined, where academic needs were neglected, and where the care offered was shallow at best. Despite my family’s financial sacrifice, the support I needed—academically, emotionally, and socially—was never truly there. And yet, I understand why people buy into it. The marketing is powerful. The image is clean. The story is compelling. But make no mistake: it is just that—a story. The values Xavier claims to embody—integrity, growth, brotherhood—are too often surface-level ideals used to justify an outdated and unhealthy system. I eventually left. I transferred schools. It was the best decision I could have made. I found a space where I could breathe, learn, and evolve—where I wasn’t treated like a problem for simply being myself. And that’s what every child deserves: an education that empowers them, not a system that reshapes them into someone more “acceptable.” If your son is already intelligent, sensitive, or creatively inclined, he’s already ahead. Don’t let a school convince you they can manufacture what he already is. You can’t buy wisdom, and you can’t brand authenticity. This review isn’t born from bitterness—it’s born from lived experience, and a desire to prevent others from falling into the same illusion. Education is more than tradition. It’s about connection, support, and truth. And if you’re willing to look past the polished façade, you might see what I now see so clearly: Your son deserves better.”

• Andrew Watkins

  ★★★★☆2018-08-25T11:58:57.780705Z

  “Best sports field view of Melbourne skyline ... with a nice bit of nature to boot!”

• rajan bumsen

  ★☆☆☆☆2022-02-14T11:06:33.655047Z

  “This school is an absolute abomination. After spending 3 years at the schools early learning centre, my 8 year old son was "requested to leave" after coming out as a cyborg attack helicopter. This is the utmost transphobic thing I would expect from a privileged filled school like Xavier College.”

• Patrick Phillips

  ★★★★★2016-03-23T00:43:27.430Z

  “Great school. The staff are committed to providing a well-rounded catholic education to prepare students for life outside of school. The school has a Rich history in developing young leaders who have contributed positively to society. Xavier College is among the best schools in Melbourne.”