International Grammar School, known as IGS, is an independent, secular and coeducational school in Ultimo, a short walk from the centre of Sydney. Opened in 1984, it teaches from preschool through to Year 12 and is best known for a flagship bilingual programme in the early and primary years and a long standing emphasis on languages, music and the arts. The campus sits among the universities and creative districts of Ultimo, Glebe and Chippendale, close to the University of Technology Sydney and the University of Sydney, which gives the school an urban, outward looking character. Families comparing inner city options can read this profile next to our wider Sydney schools overview.
| Detail | Summary |
|---|---|
| Curriculum and exam boards | New South Wales curriculum leading to the Higher School Certificate, with a bilingual programme in the early and primary years |
| Stages | Preschool to Year 12 |
| Founded | 1984 |
| Type | Independent, secular, coeducational day school |
| Fee band | Upper range independent |
| Location | Kelly Street, Ultimo, inner Sydney |
Curriculum and academics
IGS teaches the New South Wales curriculum and finishes with the Higher School Certificate, the state qualification recognised by Australian universities. What sets it apart is its bilingual programme in the early and primary years, where children learn across English and a second language, after which students continue to study at least one language through the middle years and can choose languages for the Higher School Certificate. Music and the arts run strongly through the school, and its centre for language teaching reflects a genuine institutional commitment to bilingual education rather than a single set of optional lessons.
IGS is not a British curriculum school, so families specifically seeking the English system should weigh that difference carefully; our guide to the British curriculum and our pick of the best British schools in Sydney are the better starting points for that route. Families happy with the New South Wales pathway will find IGS a distinctive, languages rich option in the inner city.
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Use our fees explorer to see where this school sits against the wider Sydney market before you budget. Free and independent.
International Grammar School fees
International Grammar School sits in the upper range of independent Sydney schooling, with fees that rise by stage from preschool through to the senior years. The school publishes a current schedule, and we do not reproduce a figure here because fees are revised each year and we never publish a number we cannot verify against the current schedule. Beyond tuition, families should budget for enrolment charges, the bilingual and music programmes, materials and excursions.
To see where this band sits against the rest of the market, our Sydney international school fees guide sets out the full range, and you can confirm the current schedule for your child stage directly with the school.
Admissions
The school follows the New South Wales academic year, from late January to December, with the main intake at the start of preschool and Kindergarten and further entry points where places exist. Because the bilingual programme begins in the early years, families who want the full benefit of it tend to apply for an early start, although the school does take students into later year groups when places are available.
Admission usually involves an application, school reports and a conversation with the admissions team. Inner city places can be competitive, so relocating families should enquire early about availability in their child year group.
Location and who goes there
The campus is on Kelly Street in Ultimo, an inner Sydney district wedged between the central business district, the University of Technology Sydney and the creative neighbourhoods of Glebe and Chippendale. This puts the school within easy reach of light rail, buses and the wider inner city, and gives it a connected, metropolitan feel that suits families living in or moving to the inner suburbs. For a full view of how IGS fits the wider city, including curriculum mix and fee tiers, start with the Sydney city hub, and see comparable options such as German International School Sydney for a bilingual alternative.
International Grammar School reviews
We do not yet hold any verified parent reviews for International Grammar School. GlobalSchoolGuide is an independent guide and no school pays to be listed, so we publish a rating only once we have collected enough verified first hand accounts to be fair to both the school and to families reading them. We would rather show nothing than show an invented score.
If your family has attended IGS we would value your account of the bilingual programme, the teaching and value for money. Share it through our school reviews hub and we will add verified contributions to this page.
Frequently asked questions
How much are International Grammar School fees?
IGS sits in the upper range of independent Sydney schooling, with fees rising by stage. The school publishes a current schedule, so confirm the latest figures for your child stage directly with the school before you budget.
What curriculum does International Grammar School follow?
IGS teaches the New South Wales curriculum leading to the Higher School Certificate, with a flagship bilingual programme in the early and primary years and continued language study in the senior school.
Is IGS a British school?
No. IGS follows the New South Wales curriculum and the Higher School Certificate rather than the British system. Families specifically seeking the English curriculum should compare our guide to British schools in Sydney.
Where is International Grammar School located?
The school is on Kelly Street in Ultimo, in inner Sydney, close to the central business district, the University of Technology Sydney and the University of Sydney.
Is International Grammar School a good school?
IGS is an established, secular and coeducational school with a distinctive bilingual and arts focus. We do not publish a rating without verified reviews, so we suggest you weigh the bilingual fit and visit the school.
