St Catherine's is an academically intense independent school for girls that pairs rigorous STEM learning with strong music and performing arts programs.
NAPLAN well above the national average at every tested year level; the result is an A- overall.
St Catherine's is an academically intense independent school for girls that pairs rigorous STEM learning with strong music and performing arts programs. Its rowing program draws national recognition, supported by dedicated on-site facilities. The school emphasises pastoral care within a tight-knit community, and maintains a nationally-ranked robotics team. Boarding facilities are available. St Catherine's suits girls seeking a demanding academic environment where sporting and creative pursuits are equally valued.
St Catherine's School is also known as SCS Waverley.
3 HSC Top Achievers — #57 of 240 New South Wales schools.
St Catherine's School has an overall SchoolRank score of 70.5/100, rated "Excellent". This score is calculated from academic results, student growth, wellbeing, programs, and value for money. Academically, the school grades A− (Excellent) against other Australian schools. The school's ICSEA (Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage) is 1156 (96th percentile; the national average is 1,000).
In 2025 NAPLAN testing at St Catherine's School, Year 3 students averaged 450 across the tested NAPLAN domains, well above the national average of 407 for that year level, and Year 5 students averaged 540, well above the national average of 490 for that year level, and Year 7 students averaged 602, well above the national average of 540 for that year level, and Year 9 students averaged 620, well above the national average of 569 for that year level. Relative to national year-level averages, the school's strongest domain is Grammar. National averages are specific to each year level, because NAPLAN scores are scaled so older year levels score higher. A school-wide average can't be compared with a single national figure.
St Catherine's School is a large Independent combined school with approximately 1,122 students. It offers education for years K-12. As an Independent school, enrolment typically involves an application process. Contact the school directly for enrolment criteria, waiting lists, and open day information.
St Catherine's School has approximate annual tuition fees of $35,463. Actual fees may vary by year level, and additional costs for uniforms, camps, and extracurricular activities typically apply. The school grades B (Average) for value for money, which weighs academic results against the cost of attendance.
St Catherine's School has a student-to-teacher ratio of 10.3:1. This is below the national average of approximately 14:1, meaning students generally receive more individual attention. Support staff make up 45% of the workforce, providing additional learning assistance and pastoral care. The student attendance rate is 92%, which is good.
In the 2025 HSC, 8 students at St Catherine's School were all-round achievers, with results in the top band across 10 or more units. The school had 3 top achiever places across 2025 HSC courses.
St Catherine's School is located in Waverley, NSW, in a major city. Its ICSEA is 1156 (96th percentile; the national average is 1,000). ICSEA measures the advantage of a school's community, from its parents' education and occupation, not the school's quality. A school with a lower ICSEA and strong academic results may be teaching particularly effectively.