Top IB Schools in Sydney
MLC School is the top ranked IB School in Sydney - Image credit: MLC School
The International Baccalaureate (IB) is a global not-for-profit educational foundation, founded in 1968, whose mission is to create a better world through education.
The IB provides a balanced curriculum fostering critical thinking and intercultural understanding, contributing to the development of well-rounded students known for their inquiry-based approach and commitment to a shared humanity. Today, there are nearly 2M students studying IB programs in 5,700 IB World schools across 160 countries.
The International Baccalaureate is aimed at developing students' intellectual, personal, emotional, and social skills
In Australia, there are over 200 IB schools offering three main IB programs:
Primary Years Program (PYP): The PYP focuses on nurturing and developing students aged 3-12 as caring, active participants in a lifelong journey of learning. The curriculum allows students to deepen their learning by developing conceptual understandings across various subject areas.
Middle Years Program (MYP): The MYP, designed for students aged 11-16, emphasises a holistic educational approach, incorporating academic and personal development. Over a five-year period, students explore a range of subjects, preparing them for the IB Diploma or Career-related Programme. The MYP
Diploma Program (DP): The IB DP is for students aged 16-19. This academically challenging and balanced program prepares students for success at university and beyond. IB Diploma students choose one course from each of six subject groups, including studies in language and literature, language acquisition, individuals and societies, sciences, mathematics, and the arts.
The table below lists the best private schools in Sydney, NSW offering IB programs:
| School | Location | Gender | Affiliation | IB Programs offered |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barker College | Hornsby | Co-ed | Anglican | PYP |
| Cranbrook School | Bellevue Hill | Boys | Anglican | PYP MYP DP |
| Hunter Valley Grammar | Ashtonfield | Co-ed | No religious affiliation | PYP MYP DP |
| Kambala | Rose Bay | Girls | Anglican | DP |
| MLC School | Burwood | Girls | Methodist | DP |
| Monte Sant’ Angelo Mercy | North Sydney | Girls | Catholic | MYP DP |
| Newington College | Stanmore | Boys | Uniting Church | PYP DP |
| Queenwood | Mosman | Girls | Non-denominational | DP |
| Ravenswood | Gordon | Girls | Uniting Church | PYP DP |
| Redlands | Cremorne | Co-ed | Anglican | DP |
| Santa Sabina College | Strathfield | Girls | Catholic | DP |
| St Andrew's Cathedral School | Sydney | Co-ed | Anglican | MYP DP |
| St Paul's Grammar School | Cranebrook | Co-ed | Non-denominational | PYP MYP DP |
| St Ursula's College | Kingsgrove | Girls | Catholic | DP |
| Tara Anglican School | Parramatta | Girls | Anglican | PYP MYP |
| The Armidale School | Armidale | Co-ed | Anglican | PYP MYP |
| The Illawarra Grammar School | Figtree | Co-ed | Anglican | PYP |
| The King’s School | Parramatta | Boys | Anglican | PYP DP |
| The Riverina Anglican College | Wagga Wagga | Co-ed | Anglican | PYP DP |
| Trinity Grammar School | Summer Hill | Boys | Anglican | PYP DP |
| Wenona | North Sydney | Girls | No religious affiliation | PYP |
In addition to offering IB programs, each of these schools stands out with its own unique strengths, ranging from top academic performance and diverse curriculums, to state-of-the-art facilities and innovative teaching methods, to impressive sporting performance and vibrant arts and music programs.
The table below is a comparison of scores for the decision factors that parents told us are most important when choosing a private school. Note that only schools that made it into the inaugural top 50 ranking are included below, scores are out of 10.
| Schools360 score | School | IB Program offered | Academic Performance Years 7-10 | Academic Performance Years 11-12 | Student Wellbeing | Sports | Arts & Music | Teaching Quality | Facilities | Reputation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 91.1% | MLC School | DP | 10 | 9.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 9.5 | 9 | 10 | 10 |
| 90.8% | Kambala | DP | 10 | 10 | 9.5 | 8.5 | 8.5 | 8.5 | 9 | 10 |
| 90.0% | Ravenswood | PYP DP | 10 | 9.5 | 8.5 | 8 | 9.5 | 8.5 | 9 | 10 |
| 88.1% | The King’s School | PYP DP | 10 | 7.5 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 10 | 9 |
| 87.6% | Wenona | PYP | 10 | 9 | 8.5 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 8.5 |
| 87.6% | Cranbrook School | PYP MYP DP | 10 | 8 | 9 | 9.5 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 8.5 |
| 86.9% | Queenwood | DP | 10 | 10 | 8.5 | 7.5 | 8 | 9 | 8.5 | 8.5 |
| 84.7% | Barker College | PYP | 10 | 7.5 | 8.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 8.5 |
| 84.2% | Tara Anglican School | PYP MYP | 10 | 9.5 | 8.5 | 8.5 | 8 | 8 | 9.5 | 8 |
| 83.9% | Monte Sant’ Angelo Mercy | MYP DP | 10 | 8 | 8.5 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 8.5 |
| 83.7% | Santa Sabina College | DP | 10 | 8 | 8.5 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 9 |
These IB schools offer students with a globally recognised, academically rigorous education, fostering skills for success in an interconnected world. The varied offerings of the PYP, MYP, and DP cater to different age groups and educational needs, making the IB an attractive option for those seeking a well-rounded and challenging educational experience.
To learn more about our school ranking methodology click here and click on the school logos to view in-depth analysis on each school.
Cranbrook offers the full continuum of IB programs (PYP, MYP and DP) - Image Credit: Cranbrook
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