Frequently
Asked Questions

Ascham is widely regarded as one of Sydney’s leading independent girls’ schools, having provided excellence in girls’ education since 1886. Our unique use of the Dalton Plan, strong academic outcomes and commitment to developing confident, well-rounded young women set us apart from other schools in Sydney. Read about the Dalton Difference and our offer of an outstanding education for every girl.

We are proudly a girls’ school without religious affiliation, centred around strong values, a focus on academic excellence and a culture of positive leadership. Our inspiring environment, combined with the Dalton Plan academic structure and the Vi et Animo Wellbeing Framework, gives every girl the opportunity to reach her full potential academically, personally and socially.

No. Ascham is academically non-selective, yet the school consistently achieves outstanding academic results for girls of all abilities. Our Dalton Plan’s highly flexible structure is designed to support every learner, whether she needs extension, consolidation or additional support, making Ascham a school where girls of varying abilities genuinely thrive. Read more on the Academic Results page.

There is strong evidence globally that single-sex education for girls leads to higher academic achievement, greater confidence, more participation and grander aspirations. Every aspect of our teaching and learning environment is tailored specifically to the needs and preferences of girls, and this focused environment, combined with the Dalton Plan, fosters a strong sense of empowerment and determination in each student. Read more about why to choose a girls’ school here.

The Dalton Plan is a highly flexible teaching structure built around three pillars: Assignment, Lesson and Study. Our teaching philosophy embraces its four key principles of Independence, Collaboration, Responsibility and Reflection, to inspire classroom learning and encourage a goal-oriented mindset. The Plan gives each girl meaningful one-on-one time with her teachers and teaches her to take ownership of her own learning. Learn more about Dalton here.

Yes. Ascham is the only school in Australia to use the Dalton Plan, and it sits at the heart of our teaching and learning. We adopted this method in 1922 and have refined it over more than a century to develop an extraordinary skillset in our students; not only for school, but for life beyond the school gates in the 21^st century.

Unlike other schools, Ascham structures the school day around the Dalton Plan, where girls manage their own timetables through a combination of Lessons, Studies and Assignments. The amount of one-on-one time that an Ascham girl has with each of her teachers each week is exceptional, fostering deep subject knowledge, self-discipline and strong teacher-student relationships that are simply not possible in a conventional classroom setting.

Our Senior School class sizes range from 16 to 22 students, and the one-on-one attention built into Studies means every girl receives genuinely individual support. This intimate learning environment means our teachers know each student well and can support her academic and personal development throughout her time at Ascham.

Yes, we care for over 120 boarders from Years 7 to 12, with the majority from country NSW and some from Sydney suburbs, interstate and overseas. Boarding suits girls who want to immerse themselves fully in school life: our boarders live in comfortable, well-appointed boarding houses right at the heart of campus, with supervised study periods each evening, weekend activities and wellbeing programs keeping them engaged throughout the school year. Read all about Ascham Boarding and watch our Boarding videos.

Wellbeing is our foundation, empowering every interaction and shaping our daily practice. From purposeful peer connections to strong teacher-student relationships, wellbeing is woven through the fabric of the Dalton Plan. Grounded in our bespoke framework, Vi et Animo, students explicitly develop the social and emotional skills they need to flourish. When girls feel socially, emotionally and physically well, they become confident, deeply engaged learners ready to thrive in, and beyond, the classroom. Read more about Wellbeing for Learning and watch our videos.

It is never too early to apply. Daughters of Ascham Old Girls and current Ascham families are given first priority for entry, provided they apply by their daughter’s 1st birthday. For all other families, applications are accepted at any time, and once an application is received, families are invited to attend a mandatory School Tour around three years prior to the date of entry. Read all about Ascham Enrolments.

Our campus is located on New South Head Rd, Edgecliff, in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs, a short walk to Sydney Harbour, 3kms from the CBD and 5kms from coastal beaches. We are well served by all forms of public transport, with Edgecliff train station directly across the road, connecting to all areas of Sydney. We are within easy walking distance of Darling Point and Double Bay ferry wharves too. Read more and take an aerial tour here.

Our tuition fees vary by Year level and are reviewed annually. Fees are billed in advance of each school term, and families with accepted places are asked to pay Term 1 fees six months prior to entry. For the most current fee schedule, please contact our Enrolments Office at enrolments@ascham.nsw.edu.au or call (02) 8356 7000.

Yes. Scholarship categories include Academic, Music, All-Round Excellence, Boarding, Ascham Old Girls, Equity and Inclusivity, and Ngara Scholarships for First Nations students. Boarding Assistance Bursaries are also available for families in country NSW. We are proud that all our scholarships and bursaries are means-tested—so that financial position is not a barrier to an Ascham education. Scholarships and bursaries are awarded annually to girls who would not normally be financially able to access an Ascham education, and who we know will thrive academically and personally through the Dalton Plan. More on the Scholarships and Bursaries page.

Ascham offers over 18 different sports, many coached by specialist Head Coaches. Saturday sport options for students include Netball, Hockey, Football, Rowing, Sailing, Tennis, Basketball, Touch Football and Water Polo. Girls can also pursue Swimming, Diving, Athletics, Cross-Country, Dance, Gymnastics, Snowsports, Equestrian, as well as strength and conditioning, and multi-skills programs. Our Sports Department fosters leadership opportunities, high levels of athleticism, and drives the Sisters in Sport Leadership Network. Read more about our Sports programs here.

Music is a vibrant and central part of life at Ascham—the department’s motto is ‘Music for All’! The school has more than 75 instrumental and choral performance groups, from orchestras and chamber ensembles to jazz groups, rock bands and choirs, with tuition available across a wide range of instruments. There is a residential Senior Music Camp each year as well as a Junior Music Camp on campus, and major orchestra and choir tours have taken girls to Europe and China. There are ensembles and opportunities at every level, with performances throughout the year celebrated across the whole school community. Read more about Music at Ascham.

Yes, our commitment to service comes from our values, not our affiliation. As a proudly non-denominational school, we believe that a sense of responsibility to the broader community is central to what it means to be an educated, empathetic young woman. Through a diverse range of volunteer opportunities, our students build empathy, develop leadership skills, and make meaningful contributions to the community. Our girls volunteer at local aged-care facilities, vet clinics, Vinnies, Salvos, after-school care for disadvantaged children, and sewing menstrual kits for a global charity. Girls are also encouraged to participate in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award program from Year 8, which includes a voluntary service component.

Ascham weaves a genuine sense of social responsibility through school life, from the curriculum to co-curricular programs. Girls are encouraged to think critically about the world they live in and to act with purpose. From Prep right through to Year 12, all Ascham girls are involved in awareness and fundraising for multiple charities every year. In addition, there are dedicated Social Justice and Charity Committees, comprised of Year 12 students, who advocate and fundraise for a number of causes. Read more about our community-centred leadership.

Yes, from Year 8 onwards, girls can participate in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award program, one of the most recognised personal development programs in the world. The Award challenges young women to grow across four areas: Physical Activity, Skill Development, Voluntary Service and an Adventurous Journey. It sits naturally alongside the independence and self-directed learning that the Dalton Plan builds in every Ascham girl throughout her senior years. Participation has reached record levels in recent years, with an outstanding number of students completing Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards—a reflection of their commitment and determination.

The North-East Arnhem Land immersion is one of the most distinctive and meaningful programs we offer. Every year, as an entire cohort Year 10 travels to North-East Arnhem Land in Australia’s Northern Territory for an immersive cultural experience with Aboriginal communities, grounded in deep listening, genuine respect and reciprocal connection. Girls return with a profoundly shifted perspective on Country, culture and identity, with many describing it as one of the most significant experiences of their school years. The program reflects our Ngara Commitment, Ascham’s ongoing dedication to meaningful engagement with First Nations people, knowledge and ways of knowing. Read more about our Ngara Commitment.

Yes, both. Our formal, and highly successful, Student Exchange Program has been in place since the 1960s and has grown immensely since then. Every year, selected Year 10 students exchange with students at other leading girls’ schools around the world, in countries including the UK, USA, Canada, France, Germany, South Africa and Argentina, giving girls the opportunity to live and study abroad for approximately 4–8 weeks. In turn, their exchange sisters come to live with them and go to school at Ascham for their weeks here in Australia.

International tours are also a valued part of life at Ascham and vary from year to year based on student interest and opportunity. In recent years, girls have travelled to New York and Europe on Art and Drama tours, to Vienna for a Choir tour, to Oxford Summer School in the UK, and to Ladakh in India on community service and trekking tours.

From Year 3 to Year 10, outdoor education camps are an important part of the Ascham experience across the Year levels. Every camp builds resilience, teamwork and confidence through challenge in a natural environment. Camps are designed to deepen friendships, develop independence and broaden our students’ experience of the world beyond the classroom. They provide a valuable opportunity to step away from technology, slow down and engage with the world. Fresh air, physical activity and shared experiences contribute to positive mood, improved focus and a renewed sense of perspective. These experiences are a valued complement to the academic rigour of the Dalton Plan.

Our Co-curricular program is broad and responsive to the girls’ interests, and the range of activities on offer evolves from year to year. Current activities include over 18 sports, Speech and Drama, Music ensembles and choirs, Chess, Debating and Public Speaking, da Vinci Decathlon, Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, Model United Nations Assembly (MUNA), Future Problem Solving, Robotics, STEAM Clubs, Theatresports, Tournament of Minds, Art Clubs and a wide range of lunchtime clubs. Girls are encouraged to try new things, pursue their passions and take on informal leadership in the areas that matter most to them.

Under the banner of Ascham Integrate, our school has a dedicated program of enriching coeducational experiences with local boys’ schools, as well as universities and the wider community. Across both Junior and Senior Schools, these experiences span creative arts, mental health advocacy, leadership development and service learning—each fostering a stronger sense of connection and purpose.