Some families are accepting long daily commutes to reach selective schools near Surry Hills, with students travelling from across Sydney for the academic environment and opportunities offered at Sydney Boys High School and Sydney Girls High School.
The two academically selective public high schools sit beside one another on Cleveland Street, with Sydney Boys High School and Sydney Girls High School forming a well-known educational precinct in the area.
Their location makes the precinct a daily destination for students living well beyond the surrounding inner city.
Among Year 7 students in 2026, Sydney Boys High draws from 100 different postcodes, the broadest geographic spread recorded among selective schools in NSW. Sydney Girls High draws its Year 7 students from more than 80 postcodes.
At both schools, the average journey is about 20 kilometres each way when measured in a straight line.
Why Some Families Make The Journey
The experiences of individual students provide some insight into why families are prepared to manage those distances.
Twelve-year-old Reyansh Shroff travels about 40 kilometres each way from Bella Vista to Sydney Boys High. His family previously lived in Baulkham Hills but moved to Bella Vista to be closer to the metro line.
His mother, Shilpa Trivedi, considered the selective school system a better option for her children than the public schools available in their area. Her reasons included education, a sense of community and an environment where children could feel secure.
A 2025 national survey of Australian students’ daily commutes found that the most common reason parents chose an out-of-area public school was to pursue a school they regarded as better or more highly ranked.
At Sydney Girls High, Year 11 student Aleeza Ahmad travels about 90 minutes each way from Edmondson Park. She began preparing for selective entry from kindergarten with encouragement from her parents.
Aleeza regards the school’s academic standing, ATAR prospects and opportunities as beneficial for her future, despite finding the commute tiring.
What Makes These Cleveland Street Schools Stand Out
Sydney Boys High currently has 1,207 students and states that boys come from across Sydney to attend.
Its academic program includes differentiated and enriched learning through Years 7 to 10, opportunities for accelerated study in Years 10 and 11, and advanced senior courses. Students can also participate in academic competitions and sports including rowing, cricket, basketball, swimming, rugby, football, volleyball and fencing.
Sydney Girls High describes itself as an academically selective Years 7 to 12 school in Surry Hills.
Academic merit is central to Year 7 selection, while applications for Years 8 to 11 can also take into account co-curricular involvement, leadership potential and personal initiative.
Beyond classroom study, the school offers opportunities across performing and creative arts, music, sport, leadership and service. Its current school information also places student wellbeing alongside academic participation.
For the families profiled, the decision to attend these schools involves balancing those educational opportunities against substantial daily travel.
Early Starts For Cleveland Street Students
For Reyansh, the journey to Cleveland Street begins by 7am when he catches the metro and at about 6am when he is driven.
On days with extracurricular activities, he may not arrive home until 10pm or 11pm. At least one Year 7 student attending Sydney Boys High has a journey estimated at 67 kilometres.
Aleeza’s trip between Edmondson Park and Sydney Girls High takes about 90 minutes each way.
The Cleveland Street schools are part of a wider selective-school travel pattern. Across NSW, Year 7 selective students in 2026 come from more than 380 postcodes, about 40 more than the previous year.
Demand for places also remains strong. About 17,000 students sat the selective school entrance examination in 2026 for 4,338 places, with placement outcomes due on 19 August.
Published 5-August-2026
