Preshil School

"Preshil School, formally known as The Margaret Lyttle Memorial School, is an independent progressive co-educational day school located in Kew, a leafy eastern suburb of Melbourne, Victoria."

With roots stretching back to 1931, when educator Margaret J. R. Lyttle founded the school, Preshil carries a legacy of nearly a century of progressive education in Australia. The school serves students from Kindergarten through to Year 12, offering a continuous educational journey from early childhood through to the final years of secondary school. At its heart, Preshil is defined by its progressive educational philosophy — an approach that has shaped the school's identity since its founding. Progressive schooling prioritises the development of the whole child, encouraging independent thinking, creativity, and a genuine love of learning rather than rote instruction or rigid academic conformity. This philosophy connects directly to the vision Margaret Lyttle brought to the school in the early twentieth century, and it remains the lens through which Preshil approaches teaching and community life today. Academically, Preshil offers the International Baccalaureate curriculum, aligning its progressive values with a globally respected and intellectually rigorous framework. The IB is well regarded among internationally mobile families because its qualifications are recognised by universities across the world, making it an excellent fit for expat families or those who may relocate in the future. The combination of IB's inquiry-based learning model and Preshil's own progressive traditions creates a distinctive academic culture — one that values curiosity, critical reflection, and student agency alongside academic achievement. The school is situated in Kew, one of Melbourne's more established and well-regarded eastern suburbs, known for its tree-lined streets, proximity to the Yarra River parklands, and easy access to Melbourne's broader amenities. For relocating professionals and expat families settling in Melbourne, Kew offers a settled, liveable neighbourhood with strong transport links to the city, making Preshil a practical as well as appealing choice. As a co-educational day school, Preshil brings together boys and girls across all year levels in a shared learning environment, and its community is understood to be shaped by the values of inclusivity and individual respect that progressive education naturally fosters. While specific enrollment figures are not publicly detailed here, the school's Kindergarten-to-Year-12 structure means that families can invest in a single school community for the entirety of their child's education — a meaningful consideration for families seeking stability and continuity. What ultimately makes Preshil distinctive is the rare combination of deep historical roots and a forward-looking educational model. Few schools can claim both a founding vision as enduring as Margaret Lyttle's and the academic credibility of the International Baccalaureate. For families seeking an alternative to conventional schooling — one that challenges children to think independently, engage meaningfully with the world, and develop as confident, reflective individuals — Preshil offers a genuinely singular option within Melbourne's diverse school landscape.