Most expensive private schools across the Central Coast and Lake Macquarie
The Central Coast and Lake Macquarie are home to some highly ranked private schools. While prices are not as expensive as Sydney, see what these schools are charging in 2022.
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The Central Coast and Lake Macquarie are growing areas that have attracted a large number of Catholic, Christian and Independent schools.
While families are not paying the extraordinarily high fees of Sydney private schools, school fees can add up with one Central Coast school, if a parent chooses to send their child from K-12, starting from $230,000.
The Express has ranked private schools across Lake Macquarie and the Central Coast in terms of annual tuition fees in Year 7 for 2022.
While some schools have a blanket fee that covers excursions and additional costs, many have additional annual charges or levies that add to the costs.
Sibling discounts also apply to all of the schools across the two regions.
Central Coast Grammar School (CCGS), Erina Heights
Year 7: $20,200
This is the main tuition fee however there is also a consolidated charge for each year, which is $600 in Year 7, covering items such as excursions, workbooks, visiting speakers, swimming and athletics carnival fees as well as a school photo pack.
CCGS’s highest tuition fee is in Year 10 at $22,900 and lowest is kindergarten at $12,700.
CCGS cemented its place as the Central Coast’s most academic after blitzing the 2021 HSC results.
For the eighth consecutive year Grammar was listed among the top 100 school coming in at number 75. According to the school’s website, 56 per cent of students achieved an ATAR of 80 or above.
Headmaster Bill Low has been headmaster of CCGS since 2008, having taught at schools and universities in South Australia and worked in senior executive roles for the Department of Education.
He has a “decisive, strategic, educational leadership” and is committed to continually improving CCGS.
Macquarie College, Wallsend
Year 7 – $9488
This is an all-in-one fee covering tuition, excursions, camps, student Services fees, levies and charges.
Kindergarten fees are $6472 while Years 11 and 12 are $10,000.
Macquarie College has a long history dating back to 1901 and is part of the Seventh-day Adventist System of Schools and Hunter Region Independent Schools (HRIS) association.
Principal Rohan Deanshaw has been at the school since 2019 and said the school was committed to providing each student with “age-appropriate skills and dispositions to equip them for the workplaces of tomorrow.”
“I commend the Macquarie College program to you, a community of faith and learning that’s committed to supporting young people not only thrive today, but also equipping them to embrace the emerging opportunities which will be presented in the global workplaces and communities of the future.”
Green Point Christian College
Year 7 – $9016
This fee includes all camps, excursions and elective subjects.
“With the exception of a small number of optional activities there are NO additional charges applied to your account,” the school states.
Kindergarten to Year 2 fees are $6203 while Years 11-12 are $10,615.
Green Point Christian College has around 1000 students and states that it “encourages the fullest possible development of the spiritual, social, intellectual, cultural and physical potential of each student.
Principal Phillip Nash says “Our purpose is to equip students for a productive life in which they freely engage in redemptive action in our broken world, being agents of positive change. “We do this through a holistic approach to education, grounded in a Christian Biblical perspective. This is an education that focuses on the academic, spiritual, social/emotional and physical aspects of who we are as human beings.”
St Edwards College, East Gosford
Year 7 – $7909
The fees include excursions, camps and Friday sport along with the building levy fee and laptop hire.
Fees remain at $7909 until Year 10 and increase to $8772 in Years 11 -12.
St Edward’s College is a non-selective Catholic school, which has been running since 1953.
Principal Mark Bonnici says “St Edward’s first and foremost is a Catholic School which provides students with relevant and engaging opportunities to deepen their faith and spirituality”.
“Students are encouraged to look beyond themselves putting their faith into action. Through involvement in our social justice program students are challenged to become socially conscious, countercultural in their thinking and empowered to contribute positively to society through the promotion of inclusivity, justice and solidarity.”
Central Coast Adventist School, Erina
Year 7 – $7391
The school also has annual class charges ranging from $570 per year to a maximum of $1974 in Year 10, along with elective subject charges.
Primary school fees are $6051 per year while Years 11-12 rise to $9652.
Central Coast Adventist School has been operating since 1969 and has more than 1000 students.
Principal Tony Kent described the school as a “place where each student has the opportunity to grow and thrive in a caring and nurturing environment, championed by staff who are invested in the academic, social and emotional wellbeing of each student.”
“I love being a part of this community. I am proud of our outstanding students, supportive parents and committed staff. Central Coast Adventist School is a place that welcomes and embraces each student – a place where each child can belong.”
Central Coast Sports College, Kariong
Year 7 – $7600
This is the fee from K-12 and includes education, daily sport, daily buffet lunch, tech device, $250 uniform voucher, most excursions, annual camps and transport to and from the College.
There is also a $1600 entrance fee per student once they have been offered a place at the school.
Central Coast Sports College is a top ranked private sporting college, which blends academics and sport.
Founder and principal Paul Chapman initially worked in IT before finding his passion in education. He taught PDHPE and technology for six years at a local Independent school before starting the Central Coast Sports College in 2013.
The school offers specialised sporting programs in football, rugby league, netball, rugby union, tennis as well as a multi-sports program. The school is set to extend its programs to AFL, basketball and dance in 2023.
Avondale School, Cooranbong
Year 7 – $7020
The fee includes tuition, compulsory excursions and camps, textbook hire, senior school electives and technology devices. The school also charges a $220 service fee per family per year.
Kindy to Year 2 fees are at $5280 while Year 12 is at $8520.
Avondale School was founded in April 1897 and moved to its Cooranbong location in 1980.
It was produced many successful students and ranked consistently in the top 200 schools in NSW for HSC results.
Debra Cooper has been principal since 2020, having previously been head of primary and a teacher at the school.
“Avondale School is a Christian school, built firmly on strong values. We aspire for every student to achieve their full potential. We recognise each child as a unique and amazing creation of God and we work to help each child to discover their passion and fulfil their purpose. As students learn to embrace their gifts, we see them striving to excel.
“We understand that our students live in a rapidly changing world and they will need to be adaptable, lifelong learners. We work strategically to support students to build skills in critical and creative thinking, collaboration and communication. Our focus on project-based learning and real-world practical learning ensures that our students build capabilities that will set them up for life.”
Lakes Grammar – An Anglican School, Warnervale
Year 7 – $6768
The school also has a resources and activities levy ranging from $504 per year to $1044.
Tuition fees range from $5236 for Kindergarten to Year 4 to $7530 in Year 12.
Lakes Grammar opened in 2004 and has grown from 150 students to more than 900.
Principal Deborah Clancy was the former head of boarding and academic care at St Catherine’s Anglican Girls’ School in Waverley.
“We aim to develop young men and women of character and intellect who have the capability to flourish in an everchanging and unpredictable world,” Mrs Clancy said.
“We want our students to have the opportunity to respond to and engage with the Christian message in an authentic and meaningful way. We work with parents to develop students who are faithful, compassionate, reflective, inquisitive, and determined. We aim to not only offer a rigorous education for each and every student, but also to develop their character and courage.”
Central Coast Steiner School, Fountaindale
Year 7 – $6760
The school also has compulsory annual levies including a materials levy ($952 for Year 7), maintenance levy ($512 per family), building levy ($232 per family) and camp levy ($696 for Year 7).
Central Coast Steiner School is an independent school that started on the coast in 1995, offering “a dynamic, creative and contemporary educational pathway from Early Childhood to Year 10”.
Principal Rosemary Michalowski has been in the top job since 2012, completing the Certificate in Rudolf Steiner Education in 1987 and working both overseas and in Australia.
The school states its mission is to “provide an educational pathway, which inspires an intrinsic love of learning and a capacity for imagination. In protecting the beauty of childhood, we provide a healthy foundation for the unfolding of individual potential. We cultivate resilience, confidence and creative thinking in our students. Our aim is to develop strong, articulate and empathetic individuals capable of changing the world for the better.”
Charlton Christian College, Fassifern
Year 7 – $6359
This includes tuition, activity fees, private buses, excursions, sports carnivals, camps and other items.
Kindergarten to Year 4 fees are set at $4752, while Year 12 fees are $7014.
Charlton Christian College, which is coeducational, opened in 1998 and now has more than 665 students.
Principal Mark Ash describes the college as a place where “something wonderful is always happening”.
“I have a vision for Charlton, a dream that it will be a place which begins a journey of life long learning; where education is encouraged and appreciated; and where Christian service promotes the ideal that students are not only focused on self but on God and others,” he says.
“The four Cornerstones of our College are built on the foundation of our Motto: “Equipping for Life”. A life of Love. A life of Integrity. A life of Faith. A life of Empowerment.”
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