Harbour City College

Harbour City College is an independent co-educational school in the Sydney CBD, offering the Australian Curriculum from Kindergarten through to the Higher School Certificate (HSC) in Year 12. The school prepares students for the NSW HSC examinations, with results contributing directly to their Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) for university entry across Australia. Registered and accredited by the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA), the school delivers a comprehensive academic program grounded in the Australian Curriculum with a particular strength in science, mathematics, and commerce. The HSC subject offerings include Mathematics Advanced and Extension, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Economics, Business Studies, English Advanced, and Mandarin Continuers, giving students a broad range of pathways to university and vocational education. The Sydney CBD campus occupies a modern commercial building that has been converted for educational use, featuring well-equipped science laboratories, a dedicated computer lab with current-generation hardware and software, a music room with practice studios, a library and study centre, and an indoor sports complex used for basketball, volleyball, and fitness programs. The school makes extensive use of nearby Sydney sporting venues including the Cook + Phillip Park Aquatic Centre and Hyde Park for outdoor physical education. Academic performance is strong, with the school consistently producing HSC results above the state median across its key subject areas. NAPLAN results in Years 3, 5, 7, and 9 show above-average performance in reading, writing, and numeracy. The school operates a dedicated HSC tutorial program in Years 11 and 12, providing additional small-group instruction and past-paper practice sessions to support students in achieving their best possible ATAR. Mandarin is taught as a second language from Kindergarten, reflecting Sydney's strong economic and cultural links with the Asia-Pacific region. The school partners with a sister school in Shanghai, offering annual exchange visits for students in Years 9 and 10. Extracurricular activities include debating, public speaking, Duke of Edinburgh Award, coding club, competitive chess, and inter-school sporting fixtures. A careers counsellor provides guidance on university applications, early entry schemes, and scholarship opportunities from Year 10 onward. Tuition fees range from AUD 22,000 to AUD 38,000 per year. The school offers merit-based scholarships for entry into Year 7 and Year 11, assessed through an entrance examination and interview process.