Top Sydney private schools, Kincoppal-Rose Bay and Shore, have decided to phase out co-education in their junior schools. This follows years of declining male enrollment, with parents opting for single-sex education for their daughters.
Both schools cite low male enrollment as the primary reason. Shore school had fewer than 10 girls in years 1 and 2. Kincoppal-Rose Bay also faced similar challenges despite previous attempts to boost male enrollment, including scholarship offers. The lack of sufficient male students makes creating strong social groups difficult and impacts the overall educational experience.
Shore's kindergarten-to-year 2 classes will transition to an all-boys structure next year, while its early learning centre will remain co-educational. Kincoppal will phase out co-education in its junior school, with the final intake of boys in kindergarten in 2028 and the last co-ed year graduating in 2034. Both schools continue to support their existing male students.
Shore previously reversed a decision to stop co-ed in kindergarten to year 2 due to parental backlash in 2018. Kincoppal attempted to increase male participation through scholarships in 2019. Both schools also sought government approvals to increase student numbers, though Shore's current expansion plans are smaller than previously anticipated.