Head-to-head · 2026
Ruyton 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: Ruyton Girls' School is Independent (non-denominational); St Catherine's School is Anglican.
- St Catherine's School offers boarding; Ruyton Girls' School is day-only.
- Both schools are in Melbourne, so catchment + commute considerations are similar.
Comparison
Side-by-side
| Metric | Ruyton Girls' School | St Catherine's School |
|---|---|---|
| City / suburb | Kew, Melbourne | Toorak, Melbourne |
| Sector | Independent (non-denominational) | Anglican |
| Gender | girls | girls |
| Year levels | ELC-Year 12 | ELC-Year 12 |
| ICSEA | 1207 | 1212 |
| Year 12 fee 2026 | $33,420 | $37,920 |
| Year 7 fee 2026 | $30,240 | $34,480 |
| Boarding | Day school | Yes · $31,800/yr |
| Founded | 1878 | 1896 |
| Religion | Non-denominational | 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).
Ruyton Girls' School
Standout strengths
- ›Non-denominational secular ethos
- ›Strong VCE academic outcomes
- ›Kew elite community
Independent girls' school in Kew, Melbourne. Founded 1878.
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, Ruyton Girls' School or St Catherine's School?
"Better" depends on family priorities. By ICSEA, St Catherine's School. By 2026 Year 12 fee, Ruyton Girls' 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 Ruyton Girls' School and St Catherine's School?
Ruyton Girls' School's 2026 Year 12 tuition is $33,420 (Year 7: $30,240). 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 Ruyton Girls' School vs St Catherine's School?
Ruyton Girls' School has an ICSEA score of 1207; 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, Ruyton Girls' School or St Catherine's School?
Ruyton Girls' School is the older school (founded 1878 vs 1896 for St Catherine's School).
Do Ruyton Girls' School or St Catherine's School offer boarding?
Ruyton 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 →