NSW’s 80 richest schools revealed: full list

The state’s richest schools have delivered a combined $3 billion in annual income. The staggering total follows surging student numbers as parents opt to go private. Find your school here.

The state’s richest schools have bolstered their total ­yearly income by up to 40 per cent thanks to growing enrolment numbers as more parents opt for schools with a strong culture of discipline and high behavioural standards.

A combined $3.16 billion from NSW’s top schools means they generated more income than the GDP of several small nations including Aruba ($2.7b), Belize ($1.8b) and the Solomon Islands ($1.3b).

In fact, rich NSW schools delivered more in income than the combined GDP of many small island nations.

Sydney Grammar had the highest gross income per student, with the school bringing in $48,175 for each one enrolled after income went from $86m in 2017 to $90m in 2020, according to Australian Curriculum and Reporting Authority (ACARA) data.

That per-student figure is made up of $2597 in federal funding, $1175 in state government funding and $40,709 from fees. The ­remainder came from other private sources.

The Scots College in Bellevue Hill increased its income by 30 per cent between 2017 and 2020 to $93 million, equating to $46,993 per student.

That big boost was thanks to an increase in enrolment figures at its Dolls Point primary school campus that saw the total number of students go from 1904 in 2017 to 1988 in 2020. There was also a bigger boost to private donations at the school.

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At nearby Cranbrook, gross income grew by 26 per cent over the same period to $72 million or $46,000 per student. $3866 of that came from government funding, while fees and private donations to the school made up the bulk of the financial boost.

Scots College in Bellevue Hill. Picture: Julian Andrews

Meriden School in Strathfield has also increased its bottom line thanks to an explosion in the number of students from 1071 students in 2017 to 1441 last year.

That meant gross income increased by 38 per cent over three years to $42 million.

Principal Julie Greenhalgh said the surge in popularity was due to strong HSC results and the fact parents wanted a school which instilled a strong sense of discipline.

“The increasing skill of the teachers has continued to result in excellent academic results – HSC, NAPLAN and other subject-based competitions,” she said.

“The school has strong expectations regarding behaviour and uniform. The parents refer to this as “discipline”. Many parents are choosing Meriden because we set high behavioural standards, and the girls strive to reach them.”

Cranbrook School in Bellevue Hill. Picture: Richard Dobson

Association of Independent Schools of NSW chief executive Dr Geoff Newcombe said it was not just rich parents choosing independent schools.

“The latest enrolment data shows that NSW Independent schools have had the largest growth as a sector, particularly among low and middle income families, with 30,321 additional students since 2016 to more than 221,000 students.

“Parents know that independent schools are more able to provide a learning environment that is a better fit for their child.”

Of the 80 private schools which had the highest gross income in the state in 2017, only five schools have seen their income decline, but only by a marginal percentage.

When it came to public school funding, Chifley College Shalvey Campus in Western Sydney received $21,918 per student. $4720 came from the federal government and $17,099 came from the state government.

By comparison students at Parramatta High received $13,042 in gross income, also predominantly from government funding.

Cronulla Public School had an income of $11,527 per student, Lindfield East received $12,152 per student while Briar Road Public received $19,783 per student in 2020.