Head-to-head · 2026
Abbotsleigh vs St Catherine's School Waverley
Side-by-side 2026 comparison: fees, ICSEA, sector, gender, programs and boarding. Both in Sydney. Sourced from each school's published 2026 schedule and ACARA MySchool. Verified 13 May 2026.
At a glance
The headline differences
- Both schools are in Sydney, so catchment + commute considerations are similar.
Comparison
Side-by-side
| Metric | Abbotsleigh | St Catherine's School Waverley |
|---|---|---|
| City / suburb | Wahroonga, Sydney | Waverley, Sydney |
| Sector | Anglican | Anglican |
| Gender | girls | girls |
| Year levels | Pre-K to Year 12 | ELC-Year 12 |
| ICSEA | 1217 | 1212 |
| Year 12 fee 2026 | $41,960 | $39,820 |
| Year 7 fee 2026 | $39,400 | $36,420 |
| Boarding | Yes | Yes · $31,800/yr |
| Founded | 1885 | 1856 |
| Religion | Anglican Church of Australia | Anglican Church of Australia |
All fees verified 13 May 2026 against each school's published 2026 schedule. Excludes uniforms, technology, camps, capital + boarding (unless shown).
Abbotsleigh
Standout strengths
- ›Consistently top HSC results among Sydney girls' schools
- ›Strong music and choral program
- ›Sister school to Knox Grammar (joint events)
Anglican girls school in Wahroonga, Sydney. Consistently top HSC results among Sydney girls' schools
See full profile →St Catherine's School Waverley
Standout strengths
- ›Australia's oldest girls' school (est. 1856)
- ›Eastern Sydney harbour-adjacent campus
- ›Strong HSC outcomes + drama tradition
Anglican girls' school in Waverley, eastern Sydney. Founded 1856 (one of Australia's oldest girls' schools).
See full profile →Common questions
FAQs
Which is better, Abbotsleigh or St Catherine's School Waverley?
"Better" depends on family priorities. By ICSEA, Abbotsleigh. By 2026 Year 12 fee, St Catherine's School Waverley is more affordable. Both are in Sydney. The most meaningful comparison is on culture, programs, transport and entry pathway for your specific child — visit open days and talk to current parents.
What are the 2026 fees for Abbotsleigh and St Catherine's School Waverley?
Abbotsleigh's 2026 Year 12 tuition is $41,960 (Year 7: $39,400). St Catherine's School Waverley's 2026 Year 12 tuition is $39,820 (Year 7: $36,420). Both schools also charge additional levies (technology, camps, capital, uniform) typically adding 8-15% to headline tuition.
What are the ICSEA scores for Abbotsleigh vs St Catherine's School Waverley?
Abbotsleigh has an ICSEA score of 1217; St Catherine's School Waverley has 1212. The Australian median is 1000. ICSEA measures the socio-educational advantage of the school community — it correlates with academic outcomes but does NOT measure teaching quality or value-add. ICSEA is published by ACARA on MySchool.
Which school is older, Abbotsleigh or St Catherine's School Waverley?
St Catherine's School Waverley is the older school (founded 1856 vs 1885 for Abbotsleigh).
Do Abbotsleigh or St Catherine's School Waverley offer boarding?
Abbotsleigh: Yes. St Catherine's School Waverley: Yes, 2026 boarding fee from $31,800/yr.
Next step
Model the 6-year cost for either school
Project Year 7-12 tuition with 4.5% annual indexation. Add boarding, levies and sibling discounts. Compare side-by-side.
Open calculator →