Buying Near The Best Schools In Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs

While there are many reasons to make your home in Sydney’s beautiful eastern suburbs, the range of top-ranking schools in the area is a major drawcard for families.

From popular primary schools to top selective secondary schools and some of Sydney’s most highly regarded private schools, the eastern suburbs are awash with choice. And in 2020 a new public high school will open.

So how do the area’s top-shelf schools affect buying and selling?

All-important catchment zones

If a home is within the catchment zone for a sought-after public school, this drives up buyer interest and inevitably affects the final sale price.

For example, the wonderful period home at 84 Wallis St Woollahra sits within the catchment zone of the excellent Woollahra Public School. The home lies within walking distance not only to the school, but is also a stone’s throw from all the family fun to be had at Centennial Parklands. We observe a similar effect in Paddington, with buyers drawn to Glenmore Road Public School, and many families also coveting homes in Bellevue Hill Public School catchment area.

A new public high school opening

With the much anticipated Inner Sydney High School set to open its doors in January 2020, families in the catchment zone, including parts of Woollahra, Centennial Park, Moore Park, Paddington, Edgecliff and Potts Point, will have even more schooling options.

Situated on the corner of Cleveland and Chalmers Streets, Surry Hills, this brand new state-of-the-art public high school will eventually accommodate 1,200 students, as well as technology rich classrooms and sporting facilities.

Closeness to private schools counts

The relationship between house prices and school proximity also holds for private schools. While not reliant on catchment zones, many families want to be as close as possible to the private school of their choice, which can again drive up sale prices.

Properties in suburbs such as Rose Bay and Bellevue Hill put families enviably close to schools like Scots College, Cranbrook and Kincoppal-Rose Bay. One property we were proud to sell last year was the prestigious ‘Rona’ at 2 Ginahgulla Road, Bellevue Hill, just moments from Scots College and its world-class facilities. A similar phenomenon plays out in Darling Point, home to popular girls’ school, Ascham.

Walking is worth it

Families are increasingly turning their focus to walkability. Many parents see the advantage of their children enjoying a short walk instead of a long commute to school. This adds further benefit to properties near sought-after schools. When selling, it pays to scope out nearby schools and discuss with your agent how their proximity might be used in marketing your home.

In focus: eastern suburbs schools

Several existing schools in the eastern suburbs have enjoyed recent upgrades, with the state government completing projects at Rose Bay Secondary College and Bellevue Hill Public School. Randwick Public School is also currently undergoing a $9 million redevelopment, which will increase the school’s capacity and provide a unique building known as the Beehive.

The wide range of extremely well-regarded private schools in the area offer excellent facilities and longstanding reputations that many families value.

According to Better Education, these eastern suburbs’ primary schools rank well:

Woollahra Public School, Woollahra (100)
Sydney Grammar School, Darlinghurst (100)
Ascham School, Edgecliff (100)
Randwick Public School, Randwick (100)
St Francis of Assisi Catholic Primary School, Paddington (99)
St Charles’ School, Waverley (99)
Bellevue Hill Public School, Bellevue Hill (99)
Coogee Boys’ Preparatory School, Randwick (99)
Glenmore Road Public School, Paddington (97)
Darlinghurst Public School, Potts Point (96)

And many of the area’s secondary schools also rate very highly:

Sydney Girls High School, Surry Hills (100)
Sydney Boys High School, Surry Hills (100)
Sydney Grammar School, Darlinghurst (100)
Ascham School, Edgecliff (99)
Kambala, Rose Bay (98)
Emanuel School, Randwick (97)
St Catherine’s School, Waverley (97)
Cranbrook School, Bellevue Hill (97)
Kincoppal-Rose Bay (97)
The Scots College, Bellevue Hill (97)

Trust an agent who knows the area

Whether you’re buying or selling, it pays to place your trust in an agent who understands the relationship between real estate and good local schools. A quality agent will know how to make this work for you and your family.