The 5 Best Private Schools in Sydney for Focused Learning in the Coming School Years
Education is a massive part of our lives, whether you started with flash cards at home or with a blackboard in preschool! Of course, as you grow up and learn more, having a quiet and uninterrupted spot to settle down and focus on learning becomes important.
Enter private schools! These schools are always a handy option for parents looking to send their children to focused places of learning, both for basic education and more specialized lessons to prepare for higher education and even the workplace.
I’ve had some friends whose kids are coming into that age, so we took the chance to put our heads together and round up some private schools here in Sydney to consider. It made us feel pretty nostalgic for our own student days, so here are our favorites!
How much will it cost to enroll in a private school in Sydney?
Enrolling a student in a private school in Sydney can cost you anywhere from $10000 to $50000 a year, taking into account tuition fees, uniform prices, and other amenities included throughout the school year.
1. The Athena School
Address: 28 Oxford St, Newtown NSW 2042
Contact Details: +61 2 9557 0022, [email protected]
Operating Hours: Monday to Friday: 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM, Closed on Saturday and Sunday
Greek mythology buffs would recognize the name of the goddess of wisdom anywhere, especially in this school. The Athena School stands out as a reliable option for families who prefer the Montessori approach to learning.
Right off the bat, it’s clear that the school’s curriculum spans from preparatory education to secondary levels. Lessons cover a wide range of subjects, with a strong focus on foundational skills like reading and writing.
One thing that stood out is how accessible their study materials are for both students and parents. This makes it easier for families to stay informed about what’s being taught without the usual hassle of tracking down paperwork.
Parents also highlighted the availability of in-house tutoring, which supports students who may need extra help keeping up with lessons. This added support system removes the need to look for external tuition, making learning more seamless.
That said, it’s worth noting that The Athena School currently offers classes up to Year 10. It remains a strong choice for younger learners, though parents may want to discuss pathways for Years 11 and 12 with the school directly.
The school is also hosting an upcoming Open Day, giving families a chance to explore the campus and experience its environment firsthand. Scheduled on 20 May from 10:00–12:00pm, the event will include food and drinks, farm animals, pony rides, face painting, and guided school tours. Interested families can secure a spot here.
2. Roseville College
Address: 27 Bancroft Ave, Roseville NSW 2069
Contact Details: +61 2 9884 1100, [email protected]
Operating Hours: Monday to Friday: 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Closed on Saturday and Sunday
If you’ve ever looked into single-sex schools in Sydney, there’s a chance that Roseville College might have already popped up in your search, and for good reason!
Known as an all-girls’ school offering preparatory to senior education, Roseville stood out to us for its range of cocurricular options! We especially liked their creative cocurriculars, including music programmes and their own art club.
Of course, one big defining factor for choosing schools is how easy the location is. When we got to chat with some students and parents, many mentioned the location being easy enough to reach by bus or train, which is a relief!
Some students also mentioned that there’s a bus pass for the school’s private bus for ferrying students, though they noted the costs for these passes could be pretty high.
Still, students were happy to say that the campus overall was pretty comfortable, with dedicated facilities for class ranges and other extracurriculars. If you’re looking into private schooling for your daughter, we’d recommend giving them a call!
3. St. Andrew’s Cathedral School
Address: Sydney Square, 474 Kent St, Sydney NSW 2000
Contact Details: +61 2 9286 9500, [email protected]
Operating Hours: Monday to Friday: 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Wednesday: 8:00 AM to 3:15 PM, Closed on Saturday and Sunday
Most Australian students might know the branching paths of pursuing the IBDP or HSC, which can affect their choice of school. For those wanting to weigh their choices by getting an idea of both, St. Andrew’s Cathedral School was quite the popular pick!
Though the school provides programs from kindergarten to Year 12, it was the latter half’s curriculum that stood out. From Year 11, the school reportedly allowed students to choose to study specific subjects for either IBDP or HSC as they saw fit.
To help this along, parents we chatted with mentioned the ease of access to the school’s parent and student portal to help track students’ progress, find any necessary documents, and even review courses to determine which might fit best.
Another particular highlight for us was the availability of outdoor education! These programs were targeted towards students learning to hike, travel and even cycle throughout a variety of places. That’s a first for us!
One last word of advice some parents had for us was to try and inquire early about the school’s availability to take in new students. Some mentioned having to wait quite long to hear back about the status of their student’s application.
4. Westbourne College
Address: Suite 11, Level 7/579 Harris St, Ultimo NSW 2007
Contact Details: +61 2 8088 0719, [email protected]
Operating Hours: Monday to Friday: 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Closed on Saturday and Sunday
STEM courses can be some of the most popular but most competitive picks out there, making preparing for them during your schooling pretty important if you want in! With this in mind, our search for private schools covering this led us to Westbourne College!
Students aiming for the IB Diploma had some pretty good things to say about Westbourne, and it wasn’t hard to see why. Their curriculum offered specialized programmes as preparation, covering everything from languages to mathematics.
In particular, their language-acquisition programs were quite a highlight. Students could freely choose between learning Spanish and Mandarin, based on their comfort level and interest in the language.
Their STEM preparatory subjects were nothing to scoff at either, letting students choose from specific sciences like physics, biology, or chemistry, alongside mathematical analysis and business management.
With that in mind, we should note that Westbourne College was primarily for students in Years 9 to 12. We’d still recommend keeping the college in mind for older learners finished their preparatory and secondary education!
5. St. Catherine’s School
Address: 26 Albion St, Waverley NSW 2024
Contact Details: +61 2 8305 6200, [email protected]
Operating Hours: Monday to Friday: 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Closed on Saturday and Sunday
Boarding schools can be an intimidating concept, but those willing to take the plunge recommend St. Catherine’s School as a spot to try! As an all-girls’ school, the school was quite popular among ladies looking to study in a home away from home.
We asked around about their boarding options, and the folks we spoke to were happy to say they were comfortable. Students were attended to by dedicated on-site staff, helping even the nervous ones settle in.
Homesickness can be a pretty big struggle for students, so we were also happy to hear that some students said the school hosted regular gatherings and events! These reportedly helped students bond with their peers and even see their folks.
The curriculum was nothing to scoff at either, especially if you’re big into extracurriculars. We found their programs to be robust and varied, with sports that cover everything from basketball to swimming to snow sports!
That being said, we did get a chance to talk with parents about their pricing. Some mentioned that the college’s tuition fees could be pretty high, so we’d definitely advise planning a budget if you’re considering enrolling a student here!