Head-to-head · 2026
Bialik College vs Lauriston Girls' School
Side-by-side 2026 comparison: fees, ICSEA, sector, gender, programs and boarding. Both in Melbourne. Sourced from each school's published 2026 schedule and ACARA MySchool. Verified 13 May 2026.
At a glance
The headline differences
- Sector: Bialik College is Jewish; Lauriston Girls' School is Independent (non-denominational Christian).
- Gender: Bialik College is co-educational; Lauriston Girls' School is girls (co-ed Kindergarten only).
- Year 12 fees differ by $11,320: Bialik College is more affordable.
- ICSEA gap of 16: Bialik College draws from a more advantaged community.
- Lauriston Girls' School is the older school (est. 1901 vs 1942).
- Both schools are in Melbourne, so catchment + commute considerations are similar.
Comparison
Side-by-side
| Metric | Bialik College | Lauriston Girls' School |
|---|---|---|
| City / suburb | Hawthorn East, Melbourne | Armadale, Melbourne |
| Sector | Jewish | Independent (non-denominational Christian) |
| Gender | co-educational | girls (co-ed Kindergarten only) |
| Year levels | ELC-Year 12 | 3yo Kindergarten-Year 12 |
| ICSEA | 1213 | 1197 |
| Year 12 fee 2026 | $35,480 | $46,800 |
| Year 7 fee 2026 | $32,600 | $44,400 |
| Boarding | Day school | Day school |
| Founded | 1942 | 1901 |
| Religion | Jewish (Progressive) | Non-denominational Christian |
All fees verified 13 May 2026 against each school's published 2026 schedule. Excludes uniforms, technology, camps, capital + boarding (unless shown).
Bialik College
Standout strengths
- ›Progressive Jewish + Zionist values
- ›Dual curriculum + Hebrew
- ›Strong VCE academic outcomes
Jewish co-educational school in Hawthorn East, Melbourne. Founded 1942. Progressive Zionist orientation.
See full profile →Lauriston Girls' School
Standout strengths
- ›Compulsory Year 9 residential at Howqua rural campus
- ›IB Diploma offered alongside VCE
- ›National-medal-winning rowing program (Head of the Yarra)
Independent girls' school in Armadale. Compulsory Year 9 residential at Howqua rural campus. IB Diploma offered alongside VCE; nationally competitive rowing program.
See full profile →Common questions
FAQs
Which is better, Bialik College or Lauriston Girls' School?
"Better" depends on family priorities. By ICSEA, Bialik College. By 2026 Year 12 fee, Bialik College is more affordable. Both are in Melbourne. 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 Bialik College and Lauriston Girls' School?
Bialik College's 2026 Year 12 tuition is $35,480 (Year 7: $32,600). Lauriston Girls' School's 2026 Year 12 tuition is $46,800 (Year 7: $44,400). Both schools also charge additional levies (technology, camps, capital, uniform) typically adding 8-15% to headline tuition.
What are the ICSEA scores for Bialik College vs Lauriston Girls' School?
Bialik College has an ICSEA score of 1213; Lauriston Girls' School has 1197. 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, Bialik College or Lauriston Girls' School?
Lauriston Girls' School is the older school (founded 1901 vs 1942 for Bialik College).
Do Bialik College or Lauriston Girls' School offer boarding?
Bialik College: Day school only. Lauriston Girls' School: Day school only.
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 →