MLC School is an independent day school for girls in Burwood, in the Inner West of Sydney, around eleven kilometres west of the central business district. Founded in 1886 and part of the Uniting Church, it teaches girls from the early years through to Year 12 and is one of the established Sydney schools to offer a genuine choice in the senior years between the Higher School Certificate and the International Baccalaureate Diploma. That dual pathway, with a large share of girls choosing the IB, makes it a natural fit for internationally minded families. You can read this profile next to our guide to IB schools in Sydney.
| Detail | Summary |
|---|---|
| Curriculum and exam boards | New South Wales Higher School Certificate and the International Baccalaureate Diploma in Years 11 and 12 |
| Stages | Early years through to Year 12 |
| Founded | 1886 |
| Type | Independent Uniting Church day school for girls |
| Fee band | Upper range independent |
| Location | Burwood, Inner West Sydney |
Curriculum and academics
MLC School teaches the New South Wales curriculum through the junior and middle years and then offers senior girls a real choice between two pathways: the Higher School Certificate, the state qualification, and the International Baccalaureate Diploma, the globally portable qualification the school has run for many years. A substantial proportion of girls choose the IB, which signals an embedded programme rather than a token offering, and the two pathways sit side by side so families can pick the route that suits their daughter and their plans. For families weighing the IB specifically, our list of the best IB schools in Sydney sets MLC in context alongside the other Diploma schools across the city.
The school is non selective, which means it admits a broad range of girls rather than only the highest scorers at entry, and it has a long history in Burwood as a place that prepares girls for university and professional life. Internationally mobile families especially value the IB option for the way it travels across borders.
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MLC School fees
MLC School sits in the upper range of independent Sydney schooling, with fees that rise by year group from the early years through to the senior school. 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. Families should also budget for an enrolment charge, uniforms, the IB or HSC senior programmes, and co curricular activities.
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 daughter stage directly with the school.
Admissions
The school follows the New South Wales academic year, from late January to December, and takes its main intakes at the established entry points, with further places where they exist. As a non selective school it considers a broad range of applicants, although demand for popular year groups means early registration is wise.
Admission usually involves registration, school reports and an interview. Families relocating to the Inner West, or choosing between the HSC and the IB for the senior years, should contact the admissions team early to understand availability and how the two senior pathways work.
Location and who goes there
The campus is in Burwood, an Inner West suburb around eleven kilometres west of the central business district and a major transport hub on the western rail line, which makes the school accessible from across the Inner West and beyond. Families are drawn from the surrounding suburbs and the wider west, attracted by the dual senior pathway and the long standing reputation of the school. For a full view of how MLC fits the wider city, including curriculum mix and fee tiers, start with the Sydney city hub, and see other Diploma options such as Newington College.
MLC School reviews
We do not yet hold any verified parent reviews for MLC 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 MLC School we would value your account of admissions, the IB and HSC pathways, 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 MLC School fees?
MLC School sits in the upper range of independent Sydney schooling, with fees rising by year group. The school publishes a current schedule, so confirm the latest figures for your daughter stage directly with the school.
Does MLC School offer the IB?
Yes. In Years 11 and 12 girls can choose between the New South Wales Higher School Certificate and the International Baccalaureate Diploma, and a large share of girls choose the IB.
Is MLC School a girls' school?
Yes. MLC School is an independent Uniting Church day school for girls, teaching from the early years through to Year 12 in Burwood.
Where is MLC School located?
The school is in Burwood, in Sydney's Inner West, around eleven kilometres west of the central business district and close to the western rail line.
Is MLC School a good school?
MLC School is an established, non selective girls' school offering both the HSC and the IB Diploma. We do not publish a rating without verified reviews, so we suggest you weigh the senior pathways and visit the school.
