The old private school vs public school debate.

Every single Irish student will be familiar with a particular cliche that teachers love to recite.  Hands up if you've ever heard your teacher say the following: "Learn it, don't learn it. Either way, I won't be the one that's sitting the exam." It's a classic adage in the educational sector because it's true. I've always felt that it doesn't matter where a student goes to school, once they apply themselves and try their very best. Granted, an environment where students are encouraged, challenged and pushed to reach their academic potential is always welcome, but at the end of the day, you can't put a price on brains, hard work and an ambition to succeed. After all, no matter how much money somebody has, they can't buy 600 points in the Leaving Cert. As we mentioned earlier, The Sunday Independent have published their list of the Irish secondary schools that have the highest percentage of students who ultimately end up in third level education. The school-by-school research was conducted over an extensive period and although certain 'grind schools' were omitted from the study, it's quite concise. While some people might argue that there's a difference between fee-paying and non fee-paying schools, these tables illustrate that it's not always the case. Take a look. Non fee-paying schools with the highest percentage of students in third level from 2009-2016. Choláiste Íosagáin (Dublin) - 100% Laurel Hill (Limerick) - 99% Coláiste Eoin (Dublin) - 99% Cólaiste an Phiarsaigh (Cork) - 98% Jesus and Mary Secondary School (Galway) - 98% Coláiste an Spioraid Naoimh (Cork) - 98%

Ard Scoil Iognáid Rís (Limerick) - 97%

Coláiste na Coiribe (Galway) - 97%

St Kieran's (Kilkenny) - 97%

St Gerald's College (Mayo) - 97%

Tempeleogue College (Dublin)  - 97%

St Macartan's (Monaghan) - 96%

Muckross Park (Dublin) - 96%

Presentation Secondary School (Kerry) - 96%

Knocklyon Community School (Dublin) - 95% Ursuline Secondary School (Tipperary) - 95% Tralee Community School (Kerry) - 95% Loreto Convent (Wexford) - 95% Fee-paying schools with the highest percentage of students in third level from 2009-16 Glenstal Abbey (Limerick) - 100% Presentation Brothers College (Cork) - 100% Mount Anville (Dublin) - 100% Cistercian College (Tipperary) - 100% St Mary's College (Dublin) - 100% Blackrock College (Dublin) - 99% Holy Child, Killiney (Dublin) - 99% St Michael's College (Dublin) - 99% Loreto College, Rathfarnham (Dublin) - 99% Gonzaga College (Dublin) - 99% Catholic University (Dublin) - 99% Loreto College, Foxrock (Dublin) - 99% Christian Brothers College (Cork) - 98% The High School (Dublin) - 98% St Andrew's (Dublin) - 98% Belvedere College (Dublin) - 98% Loreto College, Stephen's Green (Dublin) - 98% St Gerard's (Bray) - 98% The Teresian College (Dublin) - 98%