St Andrew's Cathedral School is an independent Anglican school in the centre of Sydney, set on Sydney Square beside the cathedral that gives it its name. Founded in 1885 as a choir school, it is one of the oldest schools in the city and one of very few that teach from Kindergarten through to Year 12 entirely within the central business district. The school runs the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme in the junior secondary years and lets senior students choose between the IB Diploma and the New South Wales Higher School Certificate, so families weighing the Diploma can read this profile alongside our guide to IB schools in Sydney.
| Detail | Summary |
|---|---|
| Curriculum and exam boards | NSW curriculum with the IB Middle Years Programme, then a senior choice of the IB Diploma or the Higher School Certificate |
| Stages | Kindergarten to Year 12 |
| Founded | 1885, originally as a cathedral choir school |
| Type | Independent Anglican coeducational day school |
| Campuses | Two city centre campuses beside St Andrew's Cathedral |
| Location | Sydney Square, Sydney central business district |
Curriculum and academics
The academic structure at St Andrew's blends the state framework with the international one. In Years 7 to 10 the school teaches the NSW curriculum with the IB Middle Years Programme layered over it, an approach that keeps the inquiry led international method while meeting state requirements. In the senior years students choose between the Higher School Certificate and the IB Diploma Programme, which means a child can finish school with either the widely recognised state credential or the portable international Diploma valued by universities worldwide.
That senior choice is the standout feature for internationally mobile families, and our list of the IB schools in Sydney sets the school in context next to the other Diploma providers across the city. The school is also known for a specialist secondary programme for gifted students and for a strong music tradition that traces back to its origins as a cathedral choir school, with choral and instrumental ensembles that perform in the cathedral itself.
Beyond the academic core the school offers a broad co curricular programme in sport, drama, debating and outdoor education, using the nearby parks, sporting venues and cultural institutions of the city centre as an extended campus. Because the school sits within the central business district, students gain easy access to galleries, libraries and the harbour, which the school weaves into its teaching.
Budgeting for a Sydney school place?
Our fees explainer breaks down tuition, enrolment charges and the extras so you can plan the true annual cost before you apply.
St Andrew's Cathedral School fees
St Andrew's Cathedral School charges fees in the established range for independent Sydney day schools, with tuition rising by year group from the junior school to the senior years. The school publishes a current schedule each year, and we do not reproduce a figure here because fees are revised annually and we never publish a number we cannot verify against the current schedule. Families should also budget for an enrolment charge, uniforms, technology, music tuition and excursions on top of the headline tuition.
To see where this band sits against the wider market, our Sydney international school fees guide sets out the full range across the city, and you can confirm the current schedule for your child stage directly with the school admissions office.
Admissions
The school follows the New South Wales academic year and takes its main intakes at the established entry points, with Kindergarten, Year 5 and Year 7 the most popular starting years. Demand for places in the city centre is strong, so the school encourages families to register early, and waiting lists for some year groups can form well ahead of the intake.
Admission usually involves registration, school reports, an assessment and an interview, and senior applicants will discuss whether the IB Diploma or the Higher School Certificate suits them best. Families relocating to inner Sydney or choosing between the two senior pathways should contact the admissions team early to confirm current availability and the timetable for entry.
Location and who goes there
The school occupies two city centre campuses beside St Andrew's Cathedral on Sydney Square, a short walk from Town Hall station and well served by the city rail and light rail network. This central location draws families from across the inner suburbs and from households where parents work in the central business district, since the commute can be folded into the working day. For a full view of how the school fits the wider city, including curriculum mix and fee tiers, start with the Sydney city hub, and compare it with other city schools such as International Grammar School and MLC School.
St Andrew's Cathedral School reviews
We do not yet hold any verified parent reviews for St Andrew's Cathedral 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 the families reading them. We would rather show nothing than show an invented score.
If your family has attended St Andrew's we would value your account of admissions, the IB and HSC pathways, the music programme 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 St Andrew's Cathedral School fees?
St Andrew's charges fees in the established range for independent Sydney day schools, rising by year group. The school publishes a current schedule each year, so confirm the latest figures for your child stage directly with the school.
Does St Andrew's Cathedral School offer the IB?
Yes. The school runs the IB Middle Years Programme in Years 7 to 10 and lets senior students choose between the IB Diploma Programme and the New South Wales Higher School Certificate.
Is St Andrew's Cathedral School coeducational?
Yes. The school has been fully coeducational from Kindergarten to Year 12 since 2008, having earlier admitted senior girls from 1999.
Where is St Andrew's Cathedral School located?
The school sits on Sydney Square in the central business district, beside St Andrew's Cathedral and a short walk from Town Hall station.
Is St Andrew's Cathedral School a good school?
St Andrew's is an established city centre school with a rare dual IB and HSC senior pathway and a strong music tradition. We do not publish a rating without verified reviews, so we suggest you weigh the pathways and visit the school.
