Head-to-head · 2026
SCEGGS Darlinghurst 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 schedule and ACARA MySchool. Verified 17 May 2026.
At a glance
The headline differences
- St Catherine's School Waverley offers boarding; SCEGGS Darlinghurst is day-only.
- Year 12 fees differ by $12,036: St Catherine's School Waverley is more affordable.
- St Catherine's School Waverley is the older school (est. 1856 vs 1895).
- Both schools are in Sydney, so catchment + commute considerations are similar.
Comparison
Side-by-side
| Metric | SCEGGS Darlinghurst | St Catherine's School Waverley |
|---|---|---|
| City / suburb | Darlinghurst, Sydney | Waverley, Sydney |
| Sector | Anglican | Anglican |
| Gender | girls | girls |
| Year levels | K-Year 12 | ELC-Year 12 |
| ICSEA | 1212 | 1212 |
| Year 12 fee | $51,856 | $39,820 |
| Year 7 fee | $48,152 | $36,420 |
| Boarding | Day school | Yes · $31,800/yr |
| Founded | 1895 | 1856 |
| Religion | Anglican Church of Australia | Anglican Church of Australia |
All fees verified 17 May 2026 against each school's published schedule. Excludes uniforms, technology, camps, capital + boarding (unless shown).
SCEGGS Darlinghurst
Standout strengths
- ›Consistently top-five NSW HSC ranked school
- ›Inner-city campus with strong creative arts focus
- ›Progressive Anglican social-justice ethos
Anglican girls school in Darlinghurst, Sydney. Consistently top-five NSW HSC ranked school
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, SCEGGS Darlinghurst or St Catherine's School Waverley?
"Better" depends on family priorities. By ICSEA, they are matched. 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 SCEGGS Darlinghurst and St Catherine's School Waverley?
SCEGGS Darlinghurst's 2026 Year 12 tuition is $51,856 (Year 7: $48,152). 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 SCEGGS Darlinghurst vs St Catherine's School Waverley?
SCEGGS Darlinghurst has an ICSEA score of 1212; 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, SCEGGS Darlinghurst or St Catherine's School Waverley?
St Catherine's School Waverley is the older school (founded 1856 vs 1895 for SCEGGS Darlinghurst).
Do SCEGGS Darlinghurst or St Catherine's School Waverley offer boarding?
SCEGGS Darlinghurst: Day school only. 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 →