Sydney Grammar School is an independent, non-denominational boys’ day school in Sydney, Australia, offering a classical, liberal education. Established by an Act of Parliament in 1854 and opened in 1857, it serves students from Kindergarten to Year 12 across three campuses: Edgecliff, St Ives, and the main campus at College Street in Darlinghurst.
The school is affiliated with several national and international educational bodies and was founded to provide inclusive, high-quality education. As of 2025, the average annual fee for senior students is A$49,209.
1. Basic Information
Attribute Details Name Sydney Grammar School Type Independent, non-denominational, day boys’ school Founded 1854 (ancestor in 1825) Location (Senior campus) College Street, Darlinghurst, Sydney, Australia Additional Campuses Edgecliff and St Ives Preparatory Schools Educational Levels Kindergarten – Year 12 Language of Instruction English School Session Morning shift Gender Male
2. Current Principal
Campus Principal/Headmaster Senior (from Jan 2026) Stuart McPherson St Ives Prep Ian Stephens Edgecliff Prep Not specified (2025)
3. Fee Structure (2025)
Year/Grade Annual Fee (AUD) Prep $32,313 Grade 1–2 $36,741 Grade 3–4 $38,511 Grade 5–6 $40,536 Senior* $49,209* (average)
*Senior campus fees may range up to $49,209.
4. Student & Staff Data
Metric Value Total Enrolment (est.) ~1,893 (2025) across K–12 Students per Year Edgecliff/St Ives Prep: ~400+ each Number of Staff 201–500 (all campuses, all roles) School Level Prep (K–6); Senior (7–12)
5. Academic Performance (2024/2025)
Metric Value HSC All-Rounders (10+ Band 6) 64 students First in Course (HSC) 8 (across 7 boys, incl. languages, economics, history) Top Achiever HSC Placements 52 (record for the school) Distinguished Achievers HSC 163 appearances Highest ATAR (99.95) 14 students SMH HSC League Table (2024) 3rd overall, 1st independent school
6. Comparative Rankings
Ranking Category Position Score/Average Notes Best Primary School (NAPLAN) 1st 3081.3 (5-year avg) Nationally ranked Best Boys’ Schools (Schools360) 3rd 90.5% (2024) Sydney-wide HSC Ranking (SMH, 2024) 3rd Top among independents Sydney-wide Secondary NAPLAN (5-year avg) 6th 3497.3 Nationally
7. Program Metrics
Learning Area Comments Core Curriculum Liberal arts (strong in classics, languages, math, sciences) Gifted/Selective Selective, academically-focused Special Projects Full symphony orchestra (100+ boys); strong reading/music focus Extracurricular Wide range: music, sport, debating, clubs, societies
8. Facilities & Resources
Facilities Features Assembly Hall 1,500-seat, at heart of the campus Classrooms Modern, modular, some with agriculture curriculum Sports Reg. size competition courts, quadrangles Playgrounds Landscaped, shaded, agriculturally integrated Music Orchestral facilities, dedicated music rooms Science/Innovation State-of-art science and innovation areas Other Sporting fields, library, IT resources
9. Student Development
Area Approach/Program Wellbeing Focus on attitude and effort, social development, collaboration Music Participation in major orchestras, strong arts involvement Sport Mandatory participation, full range of codes, inter- and intra-school Clubs/Societies Dozens of student-led societies, from robotics to debating Pastoral Care Dedicated team, sustained mentor relationships
10. Operational Metrics
Metric Details School Year Start April (for most year levels) School Timings Morning shift Average Class Size ~20–25 (est.; varies by year) Languages Offered English, Latin, Greek, Mandarin, French, German, others Revenue Streams Predominantly tuition, some philanthropy
11. FAQ
Question Answer Is the school selective? Yes, academically-selective Is boarding available? No; day school only Do Prep schools transition directly to senior campus? Yes, subject to entry assessment Are scholarships offered? Yes, academic and music scholarships What sports are offered? Cricket, Rugby, Rowing, Athletics, Soccer, More What are the Prep school addresses? St Ives (Ayres Rd, St Ives); Edgecliff (Edgecliff Rd, Edgecliff) What are notable alumni called? Old Sydneians Uniform required? Yes
