Cranbrook School vs The King's School

	C Cranbrook School Sydney, Australia	T The King's School Sydney, Australia
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year A$1,226 - 110,190	Fees / year A$5,300 - 49,980
Age range	Age range 3 - 18 years	Age range 4 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational, Boys School (boarding)	Type Boys School, Boys School (boarding), Co-educational, Co-educational (boarding)
Curriculum	Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP), Australian Curriculum	Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (DP), Australian Curriculum
Pupils	Pupils 1,680	Pupils 2,157
Typical class size	Typical class size 20	Typical class size 9
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened 1918	Opened 1831
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location The Cranbrook School site is located at 5 Victoria Road, Bellevue Hill, NSW 2023, Australia. It is in the eastern suburbs of Sydney and overlooks Sydney Harbour, about 4km from central Sydney.	Location The King's School is located at 87-129 Pennant Hills Road, North Parramatta, NSW 2151, Australia. The main Parramatta campus serves Pre-K to Year 12, and the Preparatory School is set within 320 acres of native Australian bushland. Tudor House is the Southern Highlands campus catering for girls and boys.
Stages	Stages Pre-School to Year 12	Stages Pre-K to Year 12
School type	School type Anglican independent day and boarding school	School type Independent school; specialists in boys' education; boarding is central to School life.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support Learning Enrichment and Support provides educational support, with specialist teacher assessment reports to diagnose specific learning difficulties and recommendations for appropriate access arrangements during examinations.	Additional learning support —
Country affiliation	Country affiliation —	Country affiliation Australia
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation Anglican	Religious affiliation Christian
School day structure	School day structure Core school hours are 8:15am to 3:20pm, with before- and after-school activities available.	School day structure —
Bus service details	Bus service details Cranbrook offers subsidised private bus services in term time, operated by North Sydney Bus Charters. There are three routes: North Shore (to Seaforth via North Sydney, Cremorne and Mosman), Inner West (to Woolwich via Pyrmont, Annandale, Balmain and Drummoyne), and Eastern Suburbs (to Maroubra via Bondi, Clovelly, Randwick and Coogee). Bus passes must be purchased in advance; for enquiries email bus@cranbrook.nsw.edu.au.	Bus service details King's operates 13 daily and two weekly bus services. Pick-up and drop-off occur at the School turning circle for Prep and Senior campuses. The services have fixed timetables and routes, with fixed cost per term, and use fully air-conditioned buses with a regular driver. Public transport options are available, and a School Opal card can be used for non-King's buses or trains.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Tuition fees (K–12) — Domestic students - Tuition is billed in three equal instalments per year (charged in advance). Per-instalment and per-annum amounts are: - Kindergarten: AUD 11,842 per instalment / AUD 35,526 per annum. - Years 1–2: AUD 12,595 per instalment / AUD 37,785 per annum. - Years 3–4: AUD 13,942 per instalment / AUD 41,826 per annum. - Years 5–6: AUD 14,412 per instalment / AUD 43,236 per annum. - Years 7–10: AUD 16,826 per instalment / AUD 50,478 per annum. - Years 11–12: AUD 17,490 per instalment / AUD 52,470 per annum. Tuition fees (K–12) — International students - International tuition is higher. Per-instalment and per-annum amounts are: - Kindergarten: AUD 14,557 per instalment / AUD 43,671 per annum. - Years 1–2: AUD 15,310 per instalment / AUD 45,930 per annum. - Years 3–4: AUD 16,657 per instalment / AUD 49,971 per annum. - Years 5–6: AUD 17,127 per instalment / AUD 51,381 per annum. - Years 7–10: AUD 20,532 per instalment / AUD 61,596 per annum. - Years 11–12: AUD 21,196 per instalment / AUD 63,588 per annum. Boarding fees (Years 7–12) - Boarding fees are charged in addition to Tuition Fees. Per-instalment and per-annum amounts (Domestic and International boarders): - Years 7–12: AUD 15,534 per instalment / AUD 46,602 per annum. - Boarding fees are inclusive of GST for food where applicable. Billing schedule and payment terms - Tuition and boarding fees are charged in advance in three equal instalments, invoiced at the beginning of Terms 1, 2 and 3. Two additional fee statements are issued at the beginning and end of Term 4 to capture incidental expenses incurred during Terms 3 and 4. - Fees are shown and billed only in Australian Dollars (AUD). - Fees are due and payable within 30 days from the date of issue of the fee statement. - Fees not paid by the due date (unless another agreement is documented) incur an administrative charge of AUD 250 per account; failure to pay by the due date may result in exclusion from classes/activities or termination of enrolment. Application, enrolment and deposit fees - Application Fee (K–12 and Pre‑School): non‑refundable AUD 440 (including GST) payable when a student is registered for possible future enrolment. - Enrolment Fee (K–12): non‑refundable AUD 7,500 payable when a place is formally offered and accepted. - Pre‑School Deposit: a deposit of AUD 3,000 is payable when a place at St Mark's or St Michael's Pre‑School is offered and accepted; this deposit is refundable after the child leaves the Pre‑School provided required notice has been given and all accounts are paid. St Mark's and St Michael's Pre‑School fees (2026 schedules) - Fee Schedule A (including NSW Government Start Strong fee relief, per instalment / per annum): - 5 days: AUD 7,898 / AUD 23,693. - 3 days: AUD 4,265 / AUD 12,794. - 2 days: AUD 2,805 / AUD 8,415. - Fee Schedule B (excluding the Government fee relief, per instalment / per annum): - 5 days: AUD 9,086 / AUD 27,258. - 3 days: AUD 5,453 / AUD 16,359. - 2 days: AUD 3,637 / AUD 10,911. - Fee Schedule C (equity program including fee relief, per instalment / per annum): - 5 days: AUD 6,597 / AUD 19,791. - 3 days: AUD 2,964 / AUD 8,892. - 2 days: AUD 409 / AUD 1,226. - Fee Schedule D (equity program excluding fee relief, per instalment / per annum): - 5 days: AUD 8,082 / AUD 24,247. - 3 days: AUD 4,449 / AUD 13,348. - 2 days: AUD 1,449 / AUD 4,346. Other costs and optional charges - Additional charges apply for optional subject tuition (for example, private instrument lessons), excursions, and other activities outside the normal school program; GST may be applied where exemptions do not apply. - A tax‑deductible Building Fund donation of AUD 200 per instalment is included in the fee statements; payment of this donation is voluntary. - Credit card surcharges apply for fees paid by credit card. - Administrative late payment charge is AUD 250 per account for overdue fees. Refund information - The Application Fee (AUD 440) and the K–12 Enrolment Fee (AUD 7,500) are non‑refundable. - The Pre‑School deposit of AUD 3,000 is refundable after the child leaves the Pre‑School provided required notice has been given and all accounts are paid. - Other refunds (for example where fees are prepaid and an enrolment does not proceed) are governed by the School's enrolment and fee conditions. Late or unpaid accounts may attract administrative charges and other consequences as noted above. Fee payment options - Fees are payable by BPAY or online by credit card. - Credit card surcharges apply for payments by credit card. - All billing and invoicing is in AUD.	Fee details Application and enrolment fees - Registration fee: AUD 300 per student (non-refundable). - Student Enrolment fee: AUD 5,000 per student (non-refundable and non-transferable), payable at the time of enrolment. Tuition fees (day students) — amounts shown as Yearly / 10 monthly instalments / Termly (Terms 1–4 unless noted) - Pre-Kindergarten: AUD 30,980 / AUD 3,098 / AUD 7,745. - Kindergarten: AUD 30,980 / AUD 3,098 / AUD 7,745. - Year 1: AUD 32,460 / AUD 3,246 / AUD 8,115. - Year 2: AUD 32,460 / AUD 3,246 / AUD 8,115. - Year 3: AUD 35,980 / AUD 3,598 / AUD 8,995. - Year 4: AUD 35,980 / AUD 3,598 / AUD 8,995. - Year 5: AUD 42,440 / AUD 4,244 / AUD 10,610. - Year 6: AUD 42,440 / AUD 4,244 / AUD 10,610. - Year 7: AUD 46,640 / AUD 4,664 / AUD 11,660. - Year 8: AUD 46,640 / AUD 4,664 / AUD 11,660. - Year 9: AUD 47,180 / AUD 4,718 / AUD 11,795. - Year 10: AUD 47,180 / AUD 4,718 / AUD 11,795. - Year 11: AUD 49,980 / AUD 4,998 / AUD 12,495. - Year 12: AUD 49,980 / AUD 4,998 / AUD 16,660 (Year 12 tuition is billed over three terms: Term 1, Term 2 and Term 3). Boarding fees — amounts shown as Yearly / 10 monthly instalments / Termly - Year 7: AUD 35,840 / AUD 3,584 / AUD 8,960. - Year 8: AUD 35,840 / AUD 3,584 / AUD 8,960. - Year 9: AUD 39,200 / AUD 3,920 / AUD 9,800. - Year 10: AUD 39,200 / AUD 3,920 / AUD 9,800. - Year 11: AUD 40,080 / AUD 4,008 / AUD 10,020. - Year 12: AUD 38,370 / AUD 3,837 / AUD 12,790 (Year 12 boarding fees are billed over three terms: Term 1, Term 2 and Term 3). Additional and recurring costs - Digital textbooks (Box of Books): Years 7–10: AUD 294 per year (including GST), billed at the beginning of Term 1; Years 11–12 depend on subject choices and are billed at the beginning of Term 2 where applicable. - Technology fee (Laptop Program): Years 7–10: AUD 461 per term / AUD 1,844 per year. Devices must be purchased through the School's portal; optional insurance available for an additional fee. - VET subject charges (Years 11–12): charged separately depending on subject; may attract government rebates. - Day-boy lunch option: Years 7–11: AUD 600 per term / AUD 2,400 per year; Year 12: AUD 600 per term / AUD 1,800 per year. Pre-K to Year 6 may order and pay for lunch via portal. - Camps, excursions and subject-related charges: camps (Years 5–6 and other compulsory camps) and excursions are charged separately; parents are advised of final costs and these are typically included on term invoices. - Music and other co-curricular activities: charged separately as advised for each activity. - Bus services (King's-operated): AUD 529 per term (Kindergarten–Year 12). - Uniform initial cost (full regulation uniform including sports uniform): approximately AUD 2,150. - Cadet Corps uniform (approximate initial cost): AUD 375 (Year 8). - Occasional boarding (up to three nights per week): AUD 180 per day. - Excursion and Amenities Levy for Pre-K to Year 6: charged in the first invoice of the school year; does not cover overnight camps. - Sibling discounts: Tuition fees: 10% concession for younger brother(s); Boarding fees: 15% concession for second boarder and 30% for third and subsequent boarders. Sibling concessions do not apply to a child holding a Scholarship or other remission. Billing schedule and payment terms - Termly payment: fees are due and payable in full two weeks prior to the first day of each term. - Direct debit instalments: eligible parents may apply to pay by regular direct debit instalments; eligibility requires accounts to be up to date. Ten monthly direct debit billing runs February–November. - Invoicing: the School issues invoices for termly payments; all fees are shown and billed in Australian dollars (AUD) only. The School does not accept cash for fee payments. - Late payment: a default charge of AUD 250 per term applies to fees not paid within 21 days of rendering the account. Students with outstanding fees may be prevented from commencing a new term or participating in discretionary activities. - Withdrawal notice: at least one full term's written notice is required to terminate enrolment. If the required notice is not given, a term's fees (tuition and boarding where applicable) are immediately payable. Refunds and fee changes - Refund policy: payments made to the School are not refundable. - Fee variation: the School may change fees and charges from time to time, generally providing parents one term's notice of any variation. Accepted payment methods and options - Accepted payment channels: online payments via the School's payment portal / QuickWeb and via direct debit. Credit card payments (MasterCard, Visa or American Express) attract a surcharge based on the fee charged to the School (a stated example surcharge is 1.3% where applicable). BPAY payments do not attract an additional charge. The School accepts payments in AUD only. - Extended payment options: the School offers an extended payment facility in partnership with Edstart to spread payments over a longer period; applications are made via Edstart. Notes on inclusions and GST - Tuition fees generally include the majority of academic, extra- and co-curricular activities; separate charges apply for items such as technology, textbooks, stationery, excursions, camps and certain VET subjects. GST is generally not applied to educational tuition but may apply to specific goods and services (for example, the food component of boarding fees).
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement —	Uniform requirement —
Food options	Food options —	Food options —
House system	House system —	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership —	Governance and ownership —
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details The school is an IB Continuum School and offers the International Baccalaureate across the Senior School. Years 7–10 are taught using the NSW curriculum through the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP), with a common curriculum in Years 7–8 and language study across two languages chosen from French, Latin and Mandarin. The Years 7 and 8 programs cover English, Mathematics, Science, PDHPE, History, Geography, Music, Visual Arts, Drama, Design and Technology, Religious Studies, and two languages. In Years 9–10 students add two electives to the common curriculum while continuing core subjects and a continuing language. In Years 11–12 students choose between the IB Diploma Programme and the Higher School Certificate (HSC), with the HSC requiring English plus a range of other subjects and the IB Diploma Programme structured around six subject groups plus core components such as Theory of Knowledge, Extended Essay and CAS. The school also runs a Gifted & High Potential Programme delivered through the Honours Curriculum for Years 7–10, using in‑class differentiation, acceleration and enrichment, with mathematics acceleration, English enrichment and opportunities for external competitions and seminar‑style learning.	Curriculum details The Preparatory School uses the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB PYP) to deliver the NSW curriculum with a global emphasis. Learning unfolds through six Units of Inquiry that integrate Science, History and Geography, the Arts, Mandarin and Physical Education in authentic contexts. Specialist classes include Music, Visual Arts, Woodwork, Physical Education, Biblical Studies, Mandarin and STEM. Educational Support Services provide targeted assistance, and the Enrichment & Extension Program supports gifted and talented students through one-on-one or small-group instruction, with opportunities to engage in external competitions such as the da Vinci Decathlon, Maths Challenge, Maths Olympiad and Write a Book in a Day. The program emphasizes inquiry-based learning, character development and a holistic approach to education.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio —
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results —
Higher education progression	Higher education progression —	Higher education progression The King's School supports graduates into universities and tertiary institutions in Australia and abroad through Global Tertiary Pathways, with high academic results guiding entry to commendable universities. The school hosts SAT testing as an accredited international test centre and offers the SAT Suite (PSAT8/9, PSAT10, PSAT/NMSQT) and Advanced Placement (AP) exams as part of its higher-education pathway, with registration and testing coordinated through the US College Board. Cambridge and Oxford admissions tests information is also provided for select courses.
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented Gifted & High Potential Programme is delivered through the Honours Curriculum for Years 7–10, with in‑class differentiation, acceleration and enrichment. Identification uses standardised tests, psychometric assessments, parent and teacher nominations and interviews; opportunities include Mathematics acceleration, English enrichment, external competitions such as Olympiads and Da Vinci Decathlon, and term seminars on topics such as Introduction to Psychology, Defining Fascism, The Mini‑MBA and The Philosophy of Science.	Gifted and talented Gifted and talented students are supported through the Enrichment & Extension Program, with a specialised Extension and Enrichment teacher delivering differentiated instruction and rigorous challenges; identified students may participate in external competitions such as the da Vinci Decathlon, Maths Challenge, Maths Olympiad and Write a Book in a Day.
Academic calendar	Academic calendar —	Academic calendar —
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	Social & emotional learning —	Social & emotional learning —
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) —	Special educational needs (SEN) —
English as an additional language	English as an additional language —	English as an additional language —
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing —	Mental wellbeing —
Safeguarding	Safeguarding —	Safeguarding —
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview —	Facilities overview —
Sports facilities	Sports facilities —	Sports facilities —
Academic facilities	Academic facilities —	Academic facilities —
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities —	Extra curricular facilities —
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History —	History —
Community	Community —	Community —
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association —	Parent teacher association —
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual —	Academic & intellectual —
Arts & creative	Arts & creative —	Arts & creative —
Cultural & language	Cultural & language —	Cultural & language —
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies —	Social & hobbies —
Community & service	Community & service —	Community & service —
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional —	Leadership & professional —
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing —	Lifestyle & wellbeing —
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision —	Language provision —
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching —	Bilingual teaching —
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs —
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards —	Awards —
Accreditations	Accreditations —	Accreditations —
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions Step 1 – Application. Begin with the online application by creating an account and submitting the form. You will provide essential information about your child and family. Cranbrook accepts entry at Pre-School, Kindergarten, Year 3, Year 7 and Year 11, with other grades considered only if vacancies exist. Step 2 – Visit the School. Attending an Open Day helps you learn about Cranbrook and meet key staff. Open Days offer an opportunity to ask questions and observe the school environment. A visit is a helpful precursor before progressing to assessments. Step 3 – Admissions Activities. Observations and assessments vary by entry point. Pre-School and Kindergarten involve your child participating in an observation session up to 12 months before commencement. Year 3 and Year 7 require an academic assessment up to 2.5 years before commencement. Year 11 involves assessments and interviews up to 12 months before entry. Step 4 – Interview. After observations and assessments, parents and/or applicants may be invited to an interview. Not all candidates will be invited to interview due to the number of applications. Step 5 – Offer. Applications are reviewed and enrolment decisions are made. You will be notified in writing if an offer is made or if the application is unsuccessful. Step 6 – Acceptance of Place. A place is secured when the enrolment documentation and the non-refundable enrolment fee or Pre-School deposit are paid. Step 7 – Welcome to Cranbrook. You will be notified of Orientation Days and other information regarding starting at Cranbrook in the term prior to commencement.	Admissions Step 1: Intake points and eligibility. The King's School has four intake years: Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten, Year 5 and Year 7. From time to time there may be vacancies in non-intake years, and the Admissions Office should be contacted to discuss availability. The 31 March cut‑off birth date applies to the intake year to determine the correct grade level. Step 2: Application and waitlist. Enrolment applications are placed on a waitlist and progress is subject to vacancies; not all applications progress to an interview or an offer of a place. The enrolment registration fee is AU$300 and is non-refundable. Step 3: Campus-specific intake timelines. The Preparatory School (Pre‑K to Year 6) is currently interviewing for entry in 2027 with limited placements for 2026; Tudor House (Pre‑K to Year 6) and Boarding from Years 3 to 6 are interviewing for 2026 and beyond; Senior School (Years 7 to 12) is currently interviewing for day and boarding entry in 2027 and beyond. Step 4: Scholarships and bursaries overview. Scholarships and bursaries are available for entry to Years 7 to 11; awards are governed by terms and conditions and may continue for the duration of enrolment. Some bursaries are means‑tested to assist with boarding costs. Applications for the 2027 Scholarships and Bursaries Program have closed; information for 2028 opens upon registration. Step 5: International applicants. To apply as an international student, complete the online registration and include supporting documents (e.g., last 2 years of school reports translated into English, birth certificate, passport, AEAS results where relevant, extra‑curricular certificates, medical notes). AAU$300 non-refundable registration fee is required. English language proficiency is required, with AEAS testing for Years 7–11 and specific minimum AEAS scores by year. The King's School operates under ESOS framework and provides orientation for new international students; the School does not use recruitment agents. For entry, international students may join from Tudor House (Years 3–6) or Senior School (Years 7–12), typically at the start of the academic year.
Scholarships	Scholarships Cranbrook School offers a selection of scholarships to recognise gifted and talented students and to provide pathways to benefit from Cranbrook's programs. Awards are based on the Cranbrook School Scholarship Examination (conducted by Academic Assessment Services), the submission of supporting materials, and an interview. Scholarships are available only to Australian citizens. Applications for 2027 Cranbrook Scholarships are now closed; 2028 scholarships will open later this year. The Old Cranbrookians' Association (OCA) Scholarship is also offered.	Scholarships Scholarships and bursaries are available for entry to Years 7 to 11; awards are governed by specific terms and conditions and may continue for the duration of enrolment, up to Year 12. Some bursaries are means-tested to assist with boarding costs. Applications for the 2027 Scholarships and Bursaries Program have now closed; to receive information about when the 2028 program opens please register.
Waitlist	Waitlist —	Waitlist Enrolment applications are placed on a waitlist and progressed subject to vacancies; not all applications progress to an interview or offer. The enrolment registration fee is AU$300 and is non-refundable.
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