Sydney has a raft of exclusive private schools, many of which are among the best performing in the country. While research has shown private education isn’t necessary for academic achievement, the connections made in a good school often prove to be useful later in life, particularly in Sydney business circles. Here's a list of the top ten private girls schools in Sydney, based on their 2014 HSC performance through data on the Better Education website, and the percentage of students with Distinguished Achievers results.
1. Abbotsleigh, Wahroonga
- Founded: 1885.
- Website: www.abbotsleigh.nsw.edu.au
- Cost: The tuition fees as of 2015 are $28,640 per annum for a student in years 11-12, according to the school's website.
- 2014 HSC Result: 48% Distinguished Achievers.
- Size: 1380 students.
- Destinations: 99% of students go to university, 1% to TAFE, according to The Good Schools Guide.
2. Ascham School, Edgecliff.
- Founded: 1856.
- Website: www.ascham.nsw.edu.au
- Cost: According to the Boarding Expo, as of July 2014 tuition fees were between $25,400 - $33,000.
- 2014 HSC Result: 42% Distinguished Achievers.
- Size: 1100 students.
- Destinations: There were 90 students in the 2013 cohort and of these, 86 applied and were accepted into universities in NSW and interstate. Of the remaining four students, two, along with 18 others (who chose to defer their university course) are undertaking a gap year, according to the school’s 2013 annual report.
3. Loreto, Normanhurst.
- Founded: 1897.
- Website: www.loretonh.nsw.edu.au
- Cost: Tuition fees for a student in years 11-12 are $21,562 per annum.
- 2014 HSC Result: 40.3% Distinguished Achievers.
- Size: 918 students, as of 2014.
- Destinations: According to the school's 2013 annual report: 'Of the 157 students to complete their education 150 received a place at university. 17 students applied to VTAC with 10 receiving an offer. The remaining students have chosen courses at TAFE or private colleges that will enable them to articulate to university at a later date.
4. SCEGGS, Darlinghurst.
- Founded: 1895.
- Website: www.sceggs.nsw.edu.au
- Cost: Tuition fees for a student in years 11-12 are $21,562 per annum.
- 2014 HSC Result: 38.3% Distinguished Achievers.
- Size: 880 students.
- Destinations: 99% of students in 2013 were offered university entry. 'The post school destination for 1% of our Year 12 leavers is not known,' says the school in its 2013 annual report.
5. Loreto Kirribilli, Kirribilli.
- Founded: 1908.
- Website: www.loreto.nsw.edu.au
- Cost: Tuition fees for students in year 10-12 are $17,955 per annum.
- 2014 HSC Result: 37.5% Distinguished Achievers.
- Size: The total enrolment in 2013 was 1040 students.
- Destinations: Of the graduating students to go to university or TAFE, 31.3% attend the University of Sydney and 35.2% attend University of Technology, Sydney, according to the school's 2013 annual report.
6. Queenwood School for Girls, Mosman.
- Founded: 1925.
- Website: www.queenwood.nsw.edu.au
- Cost: The tuition fee of a year 12 student is $26,292 per annum.
- 2014 HSC Result: 36.4% Distinguished Achievers.
- Size: According to My School, total enrolments at the school were 872 as of 2014.
- Destinations: The school says, 'The vast majority of Queenwood girls finishing Year 12 go on to study at university, both in Australia and overseas.'
7. Pymble Ladies’ College, Pymble.
- Founded: 1916.
- Website: www.pymblelc.nsw.edu.au
- Cost: The tuition fee per annum for a student in years 11-12 is $28,970.
- 2014 HSC Result: 34.9% Distinguished Achievers.
- Size: According to My School, total enrolments at the school were 2130 as of 2014.
- Destinations: In 2013, 97% of graduating students received a university offer.
8. Presbyterian Ladies College, Croydon.
- Founded: 1888.
- Website: www.plc.nsw.edu.au
- Cost: Tuition fees for a student in years 11-12 are $21,562 per annum.
- 2014 HSC Result: 33.8% Distinguished Achievers.
- Size: Approximately 1200 students.
- Destinations: According to the schools 2013 annual report, '90% of students who left school at the end of Yr 12 following the completion of their school education continued directly on to University. 10% went on to TAFE, other post compulsory education, Gap years, returned home overseas or pursued full-time employment.
9. Roseville College, Roseville.
- Founded: 1888.
- Website: www.roseville.nsw.edu.au
- Cost: Tuition fees for a student in years 11-12 are $24,675 per annum.
- 2014 HSC Result: 32.2% Distinguished Achievers.
- Size: 880 students.
- Destinations: 96% of students were offered a university place in 2013.
10. Meriden School, Strathfield.
- Founded: 1897.
- Website: www.meriden.nsw.edu.au
- Cost: Tuition fees for year 12 students is $27,315 per annum.
- 2014 HSC Result: 30.7% Distinguished Achievers.
- Size: Approximately 950 students..
- Destinations: NA
This article was originally published on www.businessinsider.com.au. Read the original article.