Xavier College was founded in 1878 and is a Jesuit school. The Senior Campus stands on 40 acres 6km from the centre of Melbourne. Two Early and Middle Years campuses, Burke Hall and Kostka Hall, were founded in 1921 and 1937 respectively. Xavier offers a wide variety of subject areas and co-curricular activities and all programs aim to foster young men of competence, conscience and compassion who will strive to make a difference in the wider world once they leave Xavier.

Facilities: Modern classrooms, science laboratories, art/graphics, drama, media and darkroom facilities, computer centres and resource centres on all campuses. All campuses of Xavier have beautiful ovals which host a wide variety of sports. At the Senior Campus the Stephenson Centre comprises double indoor basketball courts, a swimming pool, gymnasium, tennis courts and various multi-purpose rooms.

Curriculum: Xavier offers a broad yet academic curriculum that aims to cater for the diverse needs of students. The college’s VCE results have been consistently excellent with 30 per cent of the class of 2008 achieving an ENTER of 95 or better and 47 per cent achieving 90 or better. While emphasis rests with each class teacher to respond to each individual student’s learning requirements, enrichment and acceleration programs are also offered across the curriculum. LOTE programs are French, Italian, Japanese, Latin and Classical Greek. An extensive student exchange program supports language study with partner schools in France, Italy, the USA and Japan. Information technology is an integral part of student learning across all subject areas at all levels.

Sport: Xavier offers an extremely wide range of sports including cricket, tennis, football, soccer, rowing, rugby, badminton, basketball, table tennis, and athletics of all sorts, volleyball, golf, lawn bowls, hockey, swimming, martial arts, snow sports and gymnastics.

Co-curricular activities: Music accounts for an extensive student involvement at Xavier. There are numerous groups, from large bands to small ensembles, choirs and orchestras, all of which perform publicly in competitions and concerts. Media, drama, chess and debating are also important and popular aspects of the co-curricular program. The Centre for Faith and Service runs many programs throughout the year which encourage students to reflect about themselves as individuals and to be active participants in the wider community, particularly with those who are disadvantaged or marginalised.

Student welfare programs: A Jesuit education insists on the individual care of each person. The House and tutor systems are long-standing and highly regarded aspects of Xavier’s programs and each year level has its own chaplain. Individual pastoral care, counselling and careers guidance are provided for students.