The Sydney private schools that supersized in a decade

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More than a dozen high-fee independent schools in Sydney have seen an influx of hundreds of extra students over the past decade, despite the cost of a private education increasing by thousands of dollars.

Principals say the opening of additional campuses, strong academic results and transitioning to co-education are fuelling enrolment growth.

Enrolment data also shows the number of supersized schools with over 2000 pupils enrolled has almost tripled in 10 years, growing from seven schools in 2015 to 19 last year.

Sydney’s biggest school is Malek Fahd after enrolments grew to 3352 students last year across its Greenacre, Beaumont Hills and Hoxton Park campuses. It has enrolled an extra 846 students over the past decade.

Barker, Meriden and Knox Grammar, where fees exceed $40,000 for year 12, added over 800 students since 2015; The King’s School and Ravenswood both added over 400 students.

Enrolments climbed by 300 students or more at Wenona, Presbyterian Ladies College, Pymble Ladies College, Tara and St Andrew’s Cathedral School. Abbotsleigh, Trinity and Cranbrook added more than 200 students.

Knox Grammar principal Scott James says a low student-teacher ratio allows the school to provide personalised support.

Knox headmaster Scott James said the increase, which made it the second-largest school in the state with 3344 students in 2025, was driven by a strong reputation for academic rigour and focus on the wellbeing of students.

“They are known, supported, and appropriately challenged in their learning, and this balance, supported by consistently strong academic results, has reinforced the school’s reputation and sustained a high level of interest in enrolments,” he said.

“Our low student-teacher ratio allows us to provide personalised support and enriched learning experiences.”

Stephanie Pickford sent her son to Knox and her daughter to Pymble Ladies College and sees the large size of both schools as beneficial.

“The fact it is bigger gives students more variety of friendships and there is a whole variety of curricular activities,” she said.

Wahroonga family Stephanie and Nigel Pickford with their children Jessica, who attends Pymble Ladies College, and Benjamin, who attends Knox Grammar.

She acknowledged the fees were expensive but said other draw cards include the strong academic results and the excellent pastoral care provided. “It is what you see the value in,” she said.

Barker, which in 2016 decided to go fully co-ed by 2022, has seen enrolments surge by 850 students over the past decade, last year recording 2856 students – a rise which head Phillip Heath attributed to growing interest from girls.

“While the number of boys at Barker has remained relatively consistent, the growth in our female intake, since the introduction of full co-education, has expanded our overall student population and strengthened the richness of our learning community,” he said.

“As the school has grown, so, too, have our facilities, wellbeing structures, and academic systems. We have deliberately evolved our campus and practices to ensure that every student continues to be known, valued, and supported.”

It is a different story at 100-year-old St Gregory’s College in Campbelltown, a Catholic boarding school which is the only all-boys secondary school option in the Macarthur region. Student numbers were boosted by the establishment of a co-ed primary school on its campus in 2018.

But principal Matthew Brennan said parents could still see the value in an all-boys learning environment in the senior years.

“When we speak to parents, we still have traditional, consistent values around behaviour, grooming and uniforms which resonate with parents,” he said.

He noted families wanted a Catholic education that went beyond pure academics.

“We believe if you get the basics right, including respectful relationships amongst staff, students and parents, with clear and regular communication, success in all its forms, however that looks for each individual student, is attainable.”

Public schools with over 2000 students in 2025 included The Ponds High and Riverbank Public in Sydney’s west.

Partially selective Chatswood High and Cherrybrook Technology High have also seen enrolments surge, with both schools housing over 2000 students in 2025.

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