Choosing the right school for your child means weighing up a few things, from location and fees to the type of education that suits your family, whether that’s public, private, Catholic, another religious denomination, Steiner, Waldorf or independent.
This guide covers public, selective, specialist and private schools across Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Port Stephens and the Hunter region, so you can compare your options in one place.
We’ve included where to find your local public school, the region’s selective and specialist public high schools (academic, performing arts, sport and alternative learning pathways), and a list of private schools covering Prep to Year 12 as well as primary and high school only options.
Many schools offer virtual or on-campus tours if you’d like to see one before applying. In NSW, children can start Kindergarten at the beginning of the school year if they turn 5 on or before 31 July that year, and all children must be in school by their 6th birthday.
Featured listings are posted at the top. We thank these educational institutions for their support of Newy with Kids.
Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle
Discover your local Catholic school
Welcome to the Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle, where our schools make a profound difference in the lives of young people, their families, and in the communities we serve.
Our Diocese operates 58 schools, educating over 20,000 students from Kindergarten to Year 12 across the communities of Newcastle, Maitland, Lake Macquarie, Port Stephens, the Manning Valley and Upper Hunter Valley regions.
Affordable and open to all, our schools welcome anyone seeking the lifelong benefits of a Catholic education, aiming to help each child achieve their full potential and lead a fulfilling life contributing positively to their community.
Each and every student in our schools is known and nurtured, and given opportunities to grow academically, spiritually, physically and emotionally in a supportive environment. We cater for a range of learning needs and endeavour to support each child in their individual journey.
Our dedicated teachers deliver high-quality education supported by modern technology across a broad range of subjects, where students are invited to discover and develop their individual talents and abilities.
Along with a challenging academic curriculum, students can apply their unique skills in a variety of co-curricular activities. Some of these include social justice initiatives, STEM, music, drama, visual arts, debating, public speaking and representative sport.
For more information, visit our website and discover your local Catholic school today!
Website: www.mn.catholic.edu.au
Email: [email protected]
Phone number: (02) 4979 1200
Address: 841 Hunter Street, Newcastle West, NSW, 2302
Find Your Local Public School
NSW Public government schools provide free education. All primary schools and the majority of high schools have designated intake areas based on your home address. Schools may accept enrolments from outside their local area if places are available.
There are more than 100 public primary and secondary schools across Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Port Stephens, Maitland and the wider Hunter region. Families can use the NSW School Finder to identify their local intake school and explore specialised education options.
Opportunity Classes (OC) for Gifted Students
Opportunity Classes (OC) are specialised classes within selected NSW public primary schools for academically gifted and high-potential students in Years 5 and 6. Students apply in Year 4 and sit a statewide placement test. Successful students attend an Opportunity Class full-time for Years 5 and 6. Opportunity Classes are part of the NSW public school system and there are no tuition fees.
For families in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and the Hunter, local Opportunity Class options include:
- Tighes Hill Public School
- New Lambton South Public School
- Maryland Public School
- Jewells Primary School
- Soldiers Point Public School
- Biraban Public School
- Rutherford Public School
- Cessnock West Public School
School locations and available placements can change over time, so families should check the NSW Department of Education website for the latest information.
Specialised Public Schools in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie & Hunter
Not every public high school in our region works on a strict catchment zone. The Hunter has a handful of specialist and selective public schools that take students from right across Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Port Stephens and beyond, based on an audition, test or program place rather than your home address. If your child has a particular talent or interest, it’s worth knowing about these early, since most have an application process that starts well before Year 7.
Hunter School of the Performing Arts
Hunter School of the Performing Arts (HSPA) is NSW’s only fully selective performing arts school. Located in Broadmeadow, it caters for students from Years 3–12 and combines a comprehensive academic curriculum with specialist programs in dance, drama, music, creative industries and visual arts. Entry into specialist streams is via audition.
Merewether High School
Merewether High School is an academically selective public high school for Years 7–12. Students gain entry through the NSW selective high school placement process. It is widely regarded as one of the highest-performing public schools in regional NSW and attracts students from across the Hunter region.
Hunter Sports High School
Hunter Sports High School in Gateshead is a comprehensive public high school with specialist sports programs. Students can apply for sports talent programs while still receiving a full academic education. The school has produced numerous elite athletes and offers pathways across a range of sporting disciplines.
The Big Picture School (Cooks Hill Campus, Newcastle High School)
Cooks Hill Campus is the Big Picture Education campus of Newcastle High School, offering an alternative to the standard classroom model for students in Year 9 to Year 12. Rather than following a fixed subject timetable, students work to an individual learning plan built around their own interests, supported by a small advisory group and a dedicated advisor, with one day a week spent on a real workplace internship. It’s a good option to have on your radar if your child is disengaged from a traditional classroom setting or learns better through hands-on, project based work.
Private Schools in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie & Hunter
There are also private schools that you can choose for your child. A private school is a non-government school. All schools in Australia, including private schools, receive government funding but also charge school tuition fees. Independent schools provide choice for parents who may be looking for a suitable school for their child based on religion, family values or pedagogy.
Check out our list of local private schools. Some schools feature Open Days and / or tours of their schools so you can see if it the right school for your child.
Australian Christian College – Singleton
109 – 129 Kelso Street, Singleton
Pre-Kindergarten to Year 12
Avondale School
119 Avondale Road, Cooranbong
ELC to Year 12
Belmont Christian College
65 John Fisher Road, Belmont North
Pre-Kindergarten to Year 12
Bishop Tyrrell Anglican College
256 Minmi Road, Fletcher
Preschool to Year 12
Brightwaters Christian College
82 Bulgonia Road, Brightwaters
Kindergarten to Year 7
Catholic Schools Office (CSO) Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle
Various locations in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie & Hunter area
44 primary schools, 11 secondary schools, and two K–12 schools
Charlton Christian College
43 Fassifern Road, Fassifern
Kindergarten to Year 12
Heritage College Lake Macquarie
85 Ironbark Road, Morisset
Kindergarten to Year 12
Hunter Christian School
Kerr St & Bull Streets, Mayfield
Pre-Kindergarten to Year 12
Hunter Valley Grammar School
42 Norfolk Street, Ashtonfield
ELC to Year 12
Linuwel School
133 Morpeth Road East Maitland
Kindergarten to Year 12
Macquarie College
182 – 222 Lake Road, Wallsend
Kindergarten to Year 12
Maitland Christian School
75-81 Chelmsford Drive, Metford
Pre-Kindergarten to Year 12
Margaret Jurd College
272 Sandgate Rd, Shortland
Years 9 – 12
Medowie Christian College
6B Waropara Rd, Medowie
Pre-Kindergarten to Year 12
Newcastle Grammar School
Hill Campus: Cnr of Church & Newcomen Street, Newcastle
Park Campus: Cnr of Union St & Parkway Avenue, Cooks Hill
Kindergarten to Year 12
Newcastle Waldorf School
30 Reservoir Road, Glendale
Kindergarten to Year 12
Novoschool
125 Bull Street, Newcastle West
Years 7 – 12
St Philip’s Christian College
Newcastle: 57 High Street, Waratah
Cessnock: 10 Lomas Lane, Nulkaba
Port Stephens: 182 Salamander Way, Salamander Bay
Pre-Kindergarten to Year 12
Toronto Adventist School
6 Parkside Parade, Toronto
Pre-Kindergarten to Year 6
For a full list of local schools and to compare local schools, visit the My School website. It provides information about schools in Australia, letting you see how a school is performing, compared to schools with similar students.
You might also like:
Starting School: 50 Tips to Prepare You And Your Child
Everything You Need to Know About Starting Preschool in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, and the Hunter