Head-to-head · 2026
Hunter Valley Grammar School vs Macquarie College Wallsend
Side-by-side 2026 comparison: fees, ICSEA, sector, gender, programs and boarding. Both in Newcastle. Sourced from each school's published schedule and ACARA MySchool. Verified 11 June 2026.
Looking for just one school's fees and full profile?
At a glance
The headline differences
- Sector: Hunter Valley Grammar School is Independent (secular); Macquarie College Wallsend is Seventh-day Adventist.
- Year 12 fees differ by $12,532: Macquarie College Wallsend is more affordable.
- ICSEA gap of 20: Hunter Valley Grammar School draws from a more advantaged community.
- Macquarie College Wallsend is the older school (est. 1901 vs 1990).
- Both schools are in Newcastle, so catchment + commute considerations are similar.
Comparison
Side-by-side
| Metric | Hunter Valley Grammar School | Macquarie College Wallsend |
|---|---|---|
| City / suburb | Ashtonfield, Newcastle | Wallsend, Newcastle |
| Sector | Independent (secular) | Seventh-day Adventist |
| Gender | co-educational | co-educational |
| Year levels | ELC to Year 12 | Kindergarten to Year 12 |
| ICSEA | 1134 | 1114 |
| Year 12 fee | $25,500 | $12,968 |
| Year 7 fee | $24,200 | $11,300 |
| Boarding | Day school | Day school |
| Founded | 1990 | 1901 |
| Religion | None (non-denominational/secular) | Seventh-day Adventist Church |
All fees verified 11 June 2026 against each school's published schedule. Excludes uniforms, technology, camps, capital + boarding (unless shown).
Hunter Valley Grammar School
Standout strengths
- ›Independent secular co-educational P-12 school
- ›IB World School (PYP)
- ›Largest independent school in the Maitland-Hunter region
Independent (secular) co-educational school in Ashtonfield, Newcastle. Independent secular co-educational P-12 school
See full profile →Macquarie College Wallsend
Standout strengths
- ›All-inclusive fee covers tuition + camps + excursions + levies
- ›Part of the Seventh-day Adventist global education network
- ›5% prompt-payment discount on annual fees
Seventh-day Adventist co-educational school in Wallsend, Newcastle. All-inclusive fee covers tuition + camps + excursions + levies
See full profile →Common questions
FAQs
Which is better, Hunter Valley Grammar School or Macquarie College Wallsend?
"Better" depends on family priorities. By ICSEA, Hunter Valley Grammar School. By 2026 Year 12 fee, Macquarie College Wallsend is more affordable. Both are in Newcastle. The most meaningful comparison is on culture, programs, transport and entry pathway for your specific child – visit open days and talk to current parents.
What are the 2026 fees for Hunter Valley Grammar School and Macquarie College Wallsend?
Hunter Valley Grammar School's 2026 Year 12 tuition is $25,500 (Year 7: $24,200). Macquarie College Wallsend's 2026 Year 12 tuition is $12,968 (Year 7: $11,300). Both schools also charge additional levies (technology, camps, capital, uniform) typically adding 8-15% to headline tuition.
What are the ICSEA scores for Hunter Valley Grammar School vs Macquarie College Wallsend?
Hunter Valley Grammar School has an ICSEA score of 1134; Macquarie College Wallsend has 1114. The Australian median is 1000. ICSEA measures the socio-educational advantage of the school community – it correlates with academic outcomes but does NOT measure teaching quality or value-add. ICSEA is published by ACARA on MySchool.
Which school is older, Hunter Valley Grammar School or Macquarie College Wallsend?
Macquarie College Wallsend is the older school (founded 1901 vs 1990 for Hunter Valley Grammar School).
Do Hunter Valley Grammar School or Macquarie College Wallsend offer boarding?
Hunter Valley Grammar School: Day school only. Macquarie College Wallsend: Day school only.
Next step
Model the 6-year cost for either school
Project Year 7-12 tuition with 4.5% annual indexation. Add boarding, levies and sibling discounts. Compare side-by-side.
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