Record numbers of students enrolling in WA public schools is helping drive up house prices in suburbs in Perth’s coveted school zones.

School census data collected in February marked the eighth consecutive year of growth in public schools’ market share, which increased to 67.6 per cent.

The number of children in public schools rose 1.2 per cent to a record high of 311,199, up 3679 on last year. Private schools also recorded their second year of growth after a downturn in 2016, with enrolments up 0.7 per cent or 1023 students to 148,836.

Sought after public schools that have had enrolment growth this year include Rossmoyne, Willetton, Applecross, Churchlands, Carine and Duncraig senior high schools and Shenton College.

Camera Icon The Baral family - Dom, Carrie and four-year old Augustin, have moved to Willetton for access to Rossmoyne Senior High School. Credit: Steve Ferrier

Experts say proximity to a quality high school is increasingly important for home buyers, with many prepared to shell out thousands of dollars extra to guarantee entry to high-achieving public schools.

Real Estate Institute of WA president Damian Collins said Year 12 exam results league tables and primary school NAPLAN results were playing a bigger role in people’s home-buying decisions.

“I think education has become much more of a focus for families over the last 10 plus years,” he said. “The Rossmoyne school district is one in particular where people will pay $80,000 to $100,000 more to get into that school catchment area.”

Dom and Carrie Baral bought a three-bedroom rear unit in Willetton for just over $500,000 so their son Augustin, 4, could attend Rossmoyne SHS when he is older.

Mr Baral said though it was a stretch to buy the home, which they were swapping for two properties in Gosnells, it was worth it to have access to good public schools.

CHEAPER SUBURBS IN TOP SCHOOL ZONES

ROSSMOYNE SHS (2018 median/2014 median)

Riverton $640,000 $692,000

Shelley $920,000 $855,000

WILLETTON SHS

Willetton $701,000 $725,000

Bull Creek $732,000 $768,000

CHURCHLANDS SHS

Woodlands $890,000 $935,000

CARINE SHS

Carine $790,000 $827,000

DUNCRAIG SHS

Duncraig $690,000 $740,000

Padbury $525,000 $570,000

Source: REIWA*

*(some parts of suburbs may fall outside school zones, which do not follow suburb boundaries)