Head-to-head · 2026
Lauriston Girls' School vs St Catherine's 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: Lauriston Girls' School is Independent (non-denominational Christian); St Catherine's School is Anglican.
- Gender: Lauriston Girls' School is girls (co-ed Kindergarten only); St Catherine's School is girls.
- St Catherine's School offers boarding; Lauriston Girls' School is day-only.
- Year 12 fees differ by $8,880: St Catherine's School is more affordable.
- ICSEA gap of 15: St Catherine's School draws from a more advantaged community.
- Both schools are in Melbourne, so catchment + commute considerations are similar.
Comparison
Side-by-side
| Metric | Lauriston Girls' School | St Catherine's School |
|---|---|---|
| City / suburb | Armadale, Melbourne | Toorak, Melbourne |
| Sector | Independent (non-denominational Christian) | Anglican |
| Gender | girls (co-ed Kindergarten only) | girls |
| Year levels | 3yo Kindergarten-Year 12 | ELC-Year 12 |
| ICSEA | 1197 | 1212 |
| Year 12 fee 2026 | $46,800 | $37,920 |
| Year 7 fee 2026 | $44,400 | $34,480 |
| Boarding | Day school | Yes · $31,800/yr |
| Founded | 1901 | 1896 |
| Religion | Non-denominational Christian | 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).
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 →St Catherine's School
Standout strengths
- ›Strong VCE outcomes
- ›Toorak elite community
- ›Small boarding house with rural + international students
Anglican girls' school in Toorak, Melbourne. Founded 1896. Day + boarding.
See full profile →Common questions
FAQs
Which is better, Lauriston Girls' School or St Catherine's School?
"Better" depends on family priorities. By ICSEA, St Catherine's School. By 2026 Year 12 fee, St Catherine's School 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 Lauriston Girls' School and St Catherine's School?
Lauriston Girls' School's 2026 Year 12 tuition is $46,800 (Year 7: $44,400). St Catherine's School's 2026 Year 12 tuition is $37,920 (Year 7: $34,480). Both schools also charge additional levies (technology, camps, capital, uniform) typically adding 8-15% to headline tuition.
What are the ICSEA scores for Lauriston Girls' School vs St Catherine's School?
Lauriston Girls' School has an ICSEA score of 1197; St Catherine's School 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, Lauriston Girls' School or St Catherine's School?
St Catherine's School is the older school (founded 1896 vs 1901 for Lauriston Girls' School).
Do Lauriston Girls' School or St Catherine's School offer boarding?
Lauriston Girls' School: Day school only. St Catherine's School: 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 →