Conservatorium High School
A Small School, with A Big Voice.
About the school
The Conservatorium High School is the only specialist music high school in New South Wales and serves as the secondary arm of the Conservatorium of Music in Sydney. Established in 1918 at the behest of Henri Verbrugghen, the inaugural director of the NSW State Conservatorium of Music, the school was founded to provide elite training for the State's most musically gifted teenagers while ensuring they receive a well-rounded secondary education. Over its history, Conservatorium High has produced numerous acclaimed alumni who have excelled in various facets of the music profession.
Educational Focus
Conservatorium High School is dedicated to nurturing every aspect of a student’s musical development. The school's curriculum is designed to accommodate individual student needs, recognising the unique capabilities of gifted learners. The programs are enriched, compacted, and differentiated to foster talent development, ensuring that students develop into confident, well-rounded musicians. By collaborating with Sydney University's Faculty of Music, the school provides unparalleled music-educational opportunities within the country.
Community and Values
The school fosters a supportive and inclusive environment that values diversity and supports students from all backgrounds. It instils core values of compassion, integrity, and respect, guiding students not only in their musical pursuits but also in their academic and personal growth. Through a combination of rigorous academic programmes and a holistic approach to music education, Conservatorium High School prepares its students for successful careers in music and beyond.
Mission
Conservatorium High School is dedicated to the pursuit of musical and academic excellence. We esteem the ideals of integrity, respect and compassion and are committed to providing a supportive and stimulating environment in which students can strive to fully realise their music, academic, social and creative potential.
Location & Catchment Area
- Conservatorium High School
Nearby or Connected Schools
- A Observatory Hill Environmental Education Centre 900 m
- B Fort Street Public School 913 m
- C Plunkett Street Public School 1.0 km
- D Sydney Distance Education High School 1.1 km
- E Darlinghurst Public School 1.9 km
- F Crown Street Public School 2.1 km
- G Nicholson Street Public School 2.1 km
- H Ultimo Public School 2.3 km
- I Glenmore Road Public School 2.5 km
- J Sydney Distance Education Primary School 2.5 km
- K Sydney Secondary College Blackwattle Bay Campus 2.7 km
- L Double Bay Public School 2.8 km
Profile (2025)
- Total enrolments
- 156 (81 girls, 75 boys)
- Enrolments (FTE) What does this mean?
- 153
- ICSEA What does this mean?
- 1194 (percentile 99)
- SEA quarters What does this mean?
- 0% / 4% / 23% / 72%
- FOEI What does this mean?
- 1
- Indigenous students
- 0%
- LBOTE What does this mean?
- 82%
- Teaching staff (FTE) What does this mean?
- 20
- Non-teaching staff (FTE) What does this mean?
- 5.8
Enrolments by grade (2025)
| Grade | Headcount |
|---|---|
| Year 7 | 24 |
| Year 8 | 20 |
| Year 9 | 26 |
| Year 10 | 26 |
| Year 11 | 20 |
| Year 12 | 40 |
| Total | 156 |
Year by year
Attendance data for 2020 is unavailable — NSW schools were disrupted by COVID-19 and the Department of Education did not publish figures for that year.
| Year | Enrolments | Girls | Boys | Attendance % | ICSEA | Teaching staff (FTE) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 156 | 81 | 75 | - | 1194 | 20 |
| 2024 | 151 | 82 | 69 | 95.6 | 1174 | 20 |
| 2023 | 151 | 82 | 69 | 95.3 | 1176 | 19.5 |
| 2022 | 153 | 88 | 65 | 94.1 | 1183 | 19.8 |
| 2021 | 159 | 97 | 62 | 96.2 | 1196 | 19.1 |
| 2020 | 153 | 95 | 58 | - | 1189 | 18.7 |
| 2019 | 151 | 91 | 60 | 93.9 | 1195 | 18.8 |
| 2018 | 145 | 84 | 61 | 96 | 1204 | 18.3 |
| 2017 | 152 | 84 | 68 | 96.8 | 1209 | 18.7 |
| 2016 | 160 | 91 | 69 | 97.1 | 1200 | 19.4 |
| 2015 | 159 | 90 | 69 | 97 | 1202 | 19.1 |
| 2014 | 156 | 77 | 79 | 97.2 | 1208 | 19.1 |
| 2013 | 151 | 76 | 75 | 96.9 | 1180 | 18.8 |
| 2012 | 155 | 74 | 81 | 95.8 | 1182 | 19.3 |
| 2011 | 150 | 74 | 76 | 96.6 | 1179 | 18.1 |
| 2010 | 146 | 74 | 72 | - | 1176 | 18.8 |
| 2009 | 147 | 74 | 73 | - | 1120 | 18.6 |
| 2008 | 168 | 92 | 76 | - | 1120 | 20.2 |
Attendance data for 2020 is unavailable — NSW schools were disrupted by COVID-19 and the Department of Education did not publish figures for that year.