By Rich Harvey, CEO & Founder, propertybuyer.com.au
There are two things people of a certain age in Sydney love discussing at backyard barbeques and dinner parties more than any other topics.
House prices and what school their kids go to.
In fact, when you meet someone new, the first question you’ll often be asked is which high school you attended – even if you’re in your forties or fifties. This city takes its secondary education seriously, and there are plenty of options when it comes time to send your own tykes off into the world.
Often, the decision about where to buy a home is tied closely to the choices young families make about their kid’s schooling. In many cases, enrolment forms are sent off the day a little baby is brought into the world!
Knowing which areas are home to prestigious, top-performing and in-demand schools can help would-be buyers target suburbs that have a strong turnover of families.
And while many of Sydney’s best schools are private ones that cost tens of thousands of dollars a year in tuition and extracurricular activities, there are many exceptional public schools too.
I’ve broken down where some of our city’s biggest educational drawcards are located (along with some idea of tuition costs). These schools are community magnets, attracting new residents, setting the tone for their suburbs and elevating property prices.
Here’s the rub – buying in or close to top schools can increase your property value by at least 5% to 10% more than the average price increases.
Eastern suburbs
It should come as no surprise that some of Sydney’s best schools are located in the picturesque eastern suburbs, with sky high tuition fees to match the famously eye-watering property prices.
If you want your child to go somewhere that would be perfect as a Harry Potter film set, you’re in luck. The eastern suburbs has quite a few of those, with stunning panoramic harbour and city views thrown in.
Kincoppal in Rose Bay is a highly prestigious school that will set you back more than $50,000 a year when your girl is in early high school, and about $60,000 a year for their final few years. Nearby Kambala is similarly sought-after – and similarly priced. Another in-demand girls school is SCEGGS in Darlinghurst and its final year fees run at more than $46,000.
Scots College in ritzy Bellevue Hill is a prime place for sons of those with the means to be educated, costing a cool $45,000 for final year students. Down the road, Cranbrook commands just as much interest, thanks to its slightly lower tuition fees of about $40,000. Sydney Grammar in Darlinghurst, overlooking Hyde Park, is also popular and runs at a similar price to Scots.
That’s no small chunk of change, especially if you’ve got more than one child. There are sought-after public options though, like Rose Bay Secondary College. Parents will practically fall over themselves to buy in that catchment area.
Lower North Shore
Just across the Harbour Bridge, you’ll find not only beautiful neighbourhoods but top-performing high schools that parents are eager to enroll their kids into.
And two of them won’t cost a dime – apart from all those extracurricular activities and whatnot.
North Sydney Boys and North Sydney Girls are both very highly regarded public schools that rank among the best in the state in terms of academic outcomes. In fact, North Sydney Boys topped the HSC in New South Wales last year.
Of course, there are some great private schools in the area too.
The main one is Loreto at Kirribilli, a short walk from the Prime Minister’s residence, is the kind of private school that is attended by the kids of investment bankers and prominent lawyers or judges. Its academic prowess is also strong. For that, you’ll pay up to $33,000 per year.
Shore School has some of the best learning and sports facilities – and views – in all of Sydney. This is one of those schools that parents will send off an application for within a few hours of their child’s birth. It’s extremely competitive, but well worth it – if you can afford up to $43,000 a year.
Upper North Shore
One of Sydney’s best-known schools – indeed, one of the country’s top private schools – is Knox Grammar in Wahroonga. This boys’ college is 100 years old and has a good reputation for both academics and sports. It’s extremely competitive and fees run at up to $40,000 per year.
Pymble Ladies’ College is also an exceptional choice for girls and one of the city’s most sought-after schools. As well as all of the expected academic credentials, it has a particular focus on science and technology. It too costs up to $40,000 annually for tuition.
On the public front, Turramurra High and Killara High are fantastic options and very sought-after, making their respective catchments in hot demand.
Inner-West
You don’t need to be in the east or on the beaches to send your child to a fantastic school, with the inner west of Sydney home to some top-notch institutions.
Trinity Grammar in Summer Hill is one of the city’s finest institutions, as is Newington at Stanmore. Both are well-regarded academically as well as in terms of sports and community service. And both run at between $40,000 and $45,000 per year for later high schooling.
For girls, MLC School at Burwood is a popular option, and its credentials are well and truly on par with its eastern suburbs counterparts, but you’ll pay $15,000 or more less. Presbyterian Ladies College in Croydon is also sought-after and it’s about $42,000 for senior schooling.
When it comes to public, Fort Street High School in Petersham also has a fantastic reputation, drawing in hordes of families from across the city who want to be in the local catchment. Newtown Performing Arts is also highly regarded – and extremely competitive to get into.
The Hills
Baulkham Hills High School is one of the best public schools in the state and agents on the ground say living within the local catchment is a huge driver of real estate interest among those from other parts of Sydney.
In fact, there are a number of really great public options in this part of Sydney, from Castle Hill High to Crestwood High. Parents are spoilt for choice.
When it comes to private, you can’t go past Hills Grammar in Kenthurst – a top-rated and very well-regarded co-ed organisation that comes at a cost of about $31,000 annually for the final years of high school. Loreto also has a campus out this way in Normanhurst.
Other popular choices are Mount St Benedict, Oakhill College and Pacific Hills Christian.
Northern beaches
St Lukes Grammar at Dee Why has a brilliant reputation that you won’t have to pay through the nose for – comparatively, anyway. Sending your boy there would set you back about $27,000 a year in his final few years of schooling.
Oxford Falls Grammar is a rare co-educational offering for senior schooling in Sydney – although more and more single-sex schools are going mixed. It’s well-regarded and comes in cheaper than other private schools in the area at about $21,000 for upper senior schooling.
Killarney Heights High and Northern Beaches Secondary College are both great public-school options that are a drawcard for house-hunting parents.
The thing is, if your heart’s desire is a great education for your offspring, there are plenty of choices, but finding a home that suits your family and budget within these catchments is challenging. This is where a local, well-resourced buyers’ agent really comes to the fore. Our team can work through your tick list for a home that puts you within reach of your preferred school. Our experts can even discuss options such as bridesmaid suburbs, or those on transport routes that may suit your budget AND deliver easy access to the school gate. Just contact us to discuss the world of opportunities opened to you, and your kids.
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