The Sydney IB landscape
The vast majority of NSW students take the HSC. IB Diploma is offered at a small but growing tier of premium independents, primarily as an alternative to HSC for globally-mobile or US-bound students. International Grammar School is the only major Sydney school running IB exclusively (PYP through Diploma). MLC, Newington, Sydney Grammar and Queenwood run dual HSC/IB pathways.
The 2026 top 6 IB schools in Sydney
International Grammar School (IGS)
Sydney's only major IB Continuum school. Three-year average around 36 points. Strong languages programme (mandatory second language from primary). Diverse cohort. Strong destinations across Australia, UK, US and Asia. Default first choice for IB-committed Sydney families.
MLC School
Strong dual-pathway girls' school. IB cohort is smaller than HSC but academically strong. Particularly attractive for globally-mobile families wanting IB optionality. Strong destinations to top Australian and international universities.
Newington College
Premium boys' school with growing IB Diploma cohort. Most students still take HSC. IB pathway is well-staffed. Strong outcomes across both pathways. Particularly worth considering for families wanting Australian school heritage with IB optionality.
Sydney Grammar School (IB stream)
Strong IB Diploma cohort within Australia's top boys' school. Small but academically excellent. Most Sydney Grammar students take HSC. Worth considering for academically strong globally-mobile boys' families.
SCEGGS Darlinghurst (IB stream)
Premium girls' school with growing IB Diploma cohort. Strong outcomes. Particularly suited to families wanting IB at a single-sex Sydney school.
Queenwood (IB stream)
North Shore girls' school with small IB Diploma cohort. Most students take HSC. Worth considering for North Shore-based girls' families wanting IB optionality.
What didn't make the list
Several Sydney independents have begun offering IB Diploma but with cohort averages below 32 or insufficient outcomes data. We will revisit annually.
IB vs. HSC
For globally mobile families IB Diploma travels considerably better than HSC, particularly outside Australia. For families committed to Australian universities, HSC is the dominant route and ATAR scaling is well-understood by NSW universities. For students targeting Oxbridge, top US universities or universities outside Australia, IB is generally the preferred pathway among NSW schools. See our Australian curriculum guide for HSC detail.
Fee context
Premium IB places at Sydney independents cost AUD 38,000-46,000 per year. International Grammar is at the lower end of premium at AUD 36,000-42,000. See our full Sydney school fees report.