Good morning, Wentyl.

It’s that time of the year.

Today, we released News Corp’s annual Top 100 Schools list — an education power ranking like no other. 

With the cost of private education often rivalling a small mortgage, we want to help parents make a confident, highly informed investment in their children's future.

So we analysed more than 1300 private schools, looking at NAPLAN, year 12 academic results, student-teacher ratios, socio-economic status and attendance — all critical pieces of information for parents weighing up a private education.

This year, for the first time, we also drew on the expertise of our state-based education reporters across the country, providing an even deeper dive into schools' prestige, facilities and subject offerings. 

Prestige is something you can't measure with data — it's the standing in the community, the X-factor and that sizzle that makes parents' ears prick up when the schools are mentioned.

Presbyterian Ladies' College was Victoria's number one private school and third best in the nation. Pictured is principal Dr Emma Burgess with students Ovindee Amarasiri, 18, Carolyn Wei, 18, Sophie Woodlock, 16, Emily Ngo, 16, and Kahlia George, 16. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

My own three children attended both private and public schools, so I know the importance of these issues firsthand. I personally know the sacrifices parents make to give their kids the best education they can.

Private schooling is an expensive and often agonising choice.

Over the next three days, we hope to make that decision a little bit easier for you.

Today, we unveiled the Top 100 Schools list, including individual analysis for each state.

See the Top 100 Schools list and local analysis here

National | New South Wales | Victoria | Queensland | South Australia | Tasmania | Northern Territory

On Friday, we bring you the 50 schools that just missed the cut — the high-performing runners-up that also deserve your consideration.

And on Saturday, we cap off the Top 100 Schools rollout by examining the most affordable schools on our ultimate rankings list.

We'd love to know what you think about the schools that have made the Top 100 list, and those that have just missed out.