School Name
The Scots College
Category
Asia-Pacific Schools
Types
Pre-Prep to Senior School
Pupil type
Boys only
Boarding-Day
Boarding
Day
Curriculums
Australian curriculum
HSC
Pupil age range
3-18
Location
Sydney
The Scots College
Focus
Excellence through adventure
Day fees 2026
$10,300-$37,700
Boarding fees 2026
$39,500-$65,500
Term dates
- Term 1: 29 January to 1 April 2026
- Term 2: 21 April to 25 June 2026
- Term 3: 21 July to 25 September 2026
- Term 4: 13 October to 7 December 2026
Ages
3-18
Pupil count
2,000
Spear’s Review
One of the premier schools in Sydney, The Scots College was founded in 1893 to educate ‘well-grounded men of integrity, with a strong sense of identity, values and character’.
The school educates boys aged 3 to 18, combining a traditional, Presbyterian-rooted ethos with contemporary teaching approaches. It aims to maximise each student’s independence and places experiential learning at the heart of its ethos.
One popular co-curricular activity is the Glengarry outdoor education programme, which allows Year 9 students to take part in a ‘quest for excellence through adventure, curiosity, creativity and growth’.
Its connection to its Scottish heritage remains strong, most visibly through the school’s pipe band.
Head teacher
Dr Ian PM Lambert has been principal since 2007. He has previously served as principal of Swan Christian College in Perth, and taught English and history at St Paul’s Anglican School and Emmanuel College in Queensland.
University and college destinations
Students pursue higher education at Australian universities as well as international schools, including Harvard University, the University of Oxford, the University of Chicago and the University of California, Berkeley.
Admissions
According to the school, in most cases, the application process involves a pre-enrolment assessment (Years 5 to 11) and interviews (all students). All families are encouraged to enquire about admissions.
Accessibility
Sydney International Airport: 20 minutes
Location
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Rank: Top Recommended
Top Recommended Spear’s Schools Index 2026, Asia-Pacific Schools