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9 Best Private Schools in Sydney [2024]

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Private School Sydney

Best Private School Sydney
Best Private School Sydney

If you’re looking for the best private school in Sydney, you’ll want to check out this list! We’ve compiled a list of the top 9 private schools Sydney, based on factors like tuition cost, student-teacher ratio, and more. So whether you’re looking for a prestigious prep school or a world-renowned university, we’ve got you covered for the best private schools Sydney!

1) Abbotsleigh

Key ServiceChampion equality for women and girls
Address22 Woonona Ave, Wahroonga NSW 2076
Websitehttps://www.abbotsleigh.nsw.edu.au/
PhoneContacts
EmailContacts
Operating HoursMon to Fri 8AM–4PM

Abbotsleigh is a private Anglican early learning, primary, and secondary day and boarding school for girls in Wahroonga. Abbotsleigh has a long history of successful outcomes in the HSC and in national standardized testing programs like NAPLAN. With a rank of 12th in the 2019 HSC, it had outstanding results in the state.

Key Differentiators:

  • A Pre Kindergarten to Year 12 Anglican day and boarding school
  • Champion equality for women and girls
  • Holistic education

2) Sydney Grammar School

Key ServiceHas excellent facilities for sport
AddressCollege Street, Darlinghurst
NSW 2010 Australia
Websitehttps://www.sydgram.nsw.edu.au/
Phone(02) 9332 5800
Emailwebmail@sydgram.nsw.edu.au

In the HSC this year, Sydney Grammar School was ranked number one among the best performing private high schools. It is a non-denominational, all-boys day school in Darlinghurst, Edgecliff, and St Ives, all of which are within Sydney’s city limits. The HSC is held at Saint Ignatius. Sydney Preparatory School, located in Paddington (K–6), and St Ives Preparatory School, which includes Preschool through 6th grade (Preschool-Year 6), are the two preparatory schools in the city of Sydney. The secondary school, which is situated on College.

Key Differentiators:

  • Offers academic extension programme
  • Has excellent facilities for sport
  • Boys can join many special interest clubs

Customer’s Review:

Great boys school for academic, sport and personal development.

Winston Chu

3) Reddam House

Key ServiceNon-denominational institution for children
Address70 Edgecliff Rd Woollahra, NSW, Australia 2025
Websitehttps://www.reddamhouse.com.au/
Phone+61 2 9369 4096
Emailadmin@reddamhouse.com.au
Operating HoursMon to Fri 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

The renowned educator Graeme Crawford established Reddam House, a top private, co-educational, non-denominational institution for children from Kindergarten to Year 12 in Sydney. In 2019, Reddam House School placed among the top ten in the NSW HSC Schools Ranking. It is also well-known as a top private high school in Sydney.

Key Differentiators:

  • Part of the global and independent Inspired group of schools
  • Non-denominational institution for children
  • A co-educational school 

Customer’s Review:

It is an amazing school where the teachers are helpful at all times, you also get to learn how to be more responsible and independent. They have a massive music industry where you can learn a variety of different instruments. If you are advanced at your instrument you can join school band such as the Rock Band, the Brass Ansemble, etc.

KID ATLAS

4) Loreto Kirribilli

Key ServiceAn award-winning, independent, Catholic school for girls
Address85 Carabella Street, Kirribilli NSW 2061, Australia
Websitehttps://www.loreto.nsw.edu.au/
PhoneSenior School
+61 2 9957 4722

Junior School
+61 2 9954 0374
Emailinfo@loreto.nsw.edu.au

The Loreto Kirribilli is a Roman Catholic, all-girls primary and secondary day school in Kirribilli. In 2019, Loreto Normanhurst students performed well and placed 18th in the HSC. It is also regarded as one of Sydney’s top ten best private schools.

Key Differentiators:

  • An award winning, independent, Catholic school for girls
  • Community of faith
  • Develops wise, loving and well-educated women

Customer’s Review:

Great school! Definitely send your kids here, Teachers are taught well and it has great programs. Your child will love it here!

Anabel L

5) The Presbyterian Ladies’ College

Key ServiceHelps achieve full potential in all areas of endeavour
AddressMeta Street, Croydon NSW 2132, Australia
Websitehttps://www.plc.nsw.edu.au/
Phone(+612) 9704 5666
Emailenquiries@plc.nsw.edu.au

The Presbyterian Ladies’ College, Croydon (PLC Croydon) is an independent single-sex Presbyterian early learning, primary, and secondary day and boarding school for girls in Sydney’s inner west. In 2019, PLC Sydney was ranked 20th in the state and 9th in the city’s top private school ranking.

Key Differentiators:

  • Develop a keen and life-long pursuit of learning
  • Provides assistance to achieve full potential in all areas of endeavour
  • Develops students to an independent Christian worldview

Customer’s Review:

PLC is a great girls school with fantastic teachers and wonderful facilities.

Tonia Smith

6) Kambala School

Key ServiceEmpowering young women of integrity
Address794 New South Head Road, Rose Bay, NSW 2029
Websitehttps://kambala.nsw.edu.au/
Phone+61 2 9388 6777
EmailGeneral enquiries: info@kambala.nsw.edu.au
Enrolments: enrolments@kambala.nsw.edu.au
Operating HoursMon to Fri 8AM–4PM

Kambala is an Anglican early learning, primary, and secondary day and boarding school for girls in Rose Bay. The school has achieved a ranking of 15th in the 2019 HSC and is Sydney’s fifth-best private institutions. Kambala is an independent day and boarding school for girls up to 18 years old in Rose Bay, Sydney, overlooking the iconic Harbour Bridge.

Key Differentiators:

  • International Baccalaureate (IB) World School since 2010
  • Empowering young women of integrity
  • An independent day and boarding school for girls up to 18 years

7) SCEGGS Darlinghurst

Key ServiceValue individuality and independence of mind
AddressGadigal Country, 215 Forbes Street, Darlinghurst NSW 2010, Australia
Websitehttps://www.sceggs.nsw.edu.au/
Phone(02) 9332-1133

SCEGGS Darlinghurst is an Anglican single-sex primary and secondary day and boarding school for girls in Darlinghurst, NSW. The school has placed 16th in the 2019 HSC and 6th in Sydney in the past. The SCEGGS (Specialist Centre for Education and Graduate Studies) is a one-of-a-kind institution located in the middle of Australia’s largest metropolis, with only 900 pupils from Kindergarten to Year 12. It is not an academically selective institution yet it delivers outstanding academic results.

Key Differentiators:

  • Emphasises the worth of the individual, personal integrity and social responsibility
  • Safe and friendly environment
  • Value individuality and independence of mind

8) St Catherine’s School

Key ServiceDevelop young women of character and intellect
Address26 Albion Street Waverley NSW 2024 Australia
Websitehttps://www.stcatherines.nsw.edu.au/
Phonee +61 2 8305 6200
Emailstcaths@stcaths.nsw.edu.au
Operating HoursMon to Sat 7AM–6PM

St. Catherine’s School (often referred to as St. Catharine’s) is a private Anglican school for children aged two through twelve that is based in Waverley. It caters to around 1,000 girls aged Year K to Year 12. The school has ranked 17th in the 2019 HSC results and is one of Sydney’s most prestigious private schools.

Key Differentiators:

  • Australia’s oldest independent Anglican girls’ school
  • Develop young women of character and intellect
  • Welcome girls of all backgrounds

Customer’s Review:

Fantastic school and excellent, caring staff. Parking and traffic are the only slight downside, but its pretty minor. There are so many extra curricular activities. Moving my girls here was an excellent choice. It might be very expensive, but there is so much value returned. I saw an immediate improvement in my girls’ engagement and initiative. Their marks are high in some areas, and in lower areas they get substantial support. Love this school.

Toddy Wood

9) Meriden School

Key ServiceA non-selective, independent school
Address3 Margaret Street Strathfield NSW 2135
Websitehttps://www.meriden.nsw.edu.au/
Phone9752 9444
Emailenquiries@meriden.nsw.edu.au
Operating HoursMon to Fri 7:30AM–4:30PM

The schools are all located in and around the city of Meriden, with An Anglican School for Girls educating girls from Prep to Year 12. It is an independent Anglican single-sex early learning, primary, and secondary school for girls in Strathfield. Meriden High School consistently ranks among the top independent girls’ schools in the Higher School Certificate, with students consistently making the HSC All-Round Achievers’ List. In 2019, it ranked 15th in Connecticut for academic achievement.

Key Differentiators:

  • A non-selective, independent school
  • A Christian school in the Anglican tradition
  • Limited class sizes

Customer’s Review:

My daughter goes to Meriden. It is a fabulous school. I believe one of the best. She has been going there since Lingwood (Prep). They cater towards children needs, with different class levels for maths in the Junior School, A class for Enrichment is included.

Will Berri

Private School Sydney

If you are looking to invest in private school sector education for your children, you’ll want to look at one of the private schools Sydney has to offer. We’ve provided a list of some of the top private schools in Sydney and given a brief overview of what makes each unique. If you have any questions or concerns about which private schools Sydney is right for your child, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the numbers we have provided for each school.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much do private schools in Sydney cost?

It costs an average of 35,325 dollars a year to send a child to private school in Sydney, which equals out to $459,236 over 13 years. In comparison, it costs $31,028 annually to do the same in Melbourne ($403,373 total over 13 years). Adelaide is only slightly more expensive than Brisbane and Perthu002du002d$284,690 compared with their totals at $273,280 and $215554 respectively.

Does going to private school make a difference?

According to a new study, private school students had better outcomes across several key metrics compared to their public school sector counterparts. The findings suggest that for parents who can afford it, spending money on private education may be worth the investment.

How many private schools are there in Sydney?

There are more than 520 private schools in Sydney. Over 300 of them are Catholic schools and around 35 are Anglican schools. Of the remaining ones, many are Anglican school sector but at least 57 don’t follow a particular denomination.

Are private schools worth it in Australia?

Australian research has shown that students who attend private schools are more likely to complete school and attend university, and tend to attain higher placements in university entrance exams.

Is private school better than public schools in Australia?

A new study has found that, when accounting for socio-economic background history, Australian students who attend private schools do not perform any better academically than those attending public schools.

Do all Australian schools have uniforms?

School uniforms are quite common in Australia, both government and private schools. Uniform as a form of power is a hotly debated issue, and the wearing of gendered school clothing is an educational issue.

Is grammar school public or private?

Selective grammar schools are funded by the government, just like any other state school. There are also eight bilateral schools in England that admit students of all abilities but set aside a number of seats in a ‘grammar stream’ for those who meet academics requirements.

Do private schools have to follow Australian curriculum?

All Australian Independent schools use the school curriculum developed by ACARA and participate in national student assessments, like NAPLAN tests for literacy and numeracy.

Rachel Tan - FunEmpire

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I'm currently the editor at FunEmpire Media Australia. I've over 8 years of experience in the media industry discovering the best local businesses, places and things to do in Australia. From lifestyle, entertainment, food, travel, education and more, I strive to curate the very best Australia has to offer.