A place where she can belong: how this Canberra school leads the way in female-focused education

Posted on 22 April, 2026

Founded for girls. Focused on girls. Experts in girls’ education. Canberra Girls Grammar School (CGGS) has built a powerful legacy – graduating young women defined by purpose, passion and proven capability.

Choosing a school for your child is one of life’s most significant decisions – for families navigating that road for their daughters, choosing an all-girl school setting in a contemporary context may give parents a moment for pause.

But the research is compelling, and so are the results – single-sex environments allow girls to thrive by removing social pressures and academic stereotypes.

Canberra Girls Grammar School has championed this philosophy for over a century, building a legacy of young women who don’t just find their voice, but use it to lead.

Setting girls apart

Whether she’s a dreamer, doer or disrupter, CGGS students thrive in an environment designed for and with them. Every aspect of student life is intentionally planned through a female-first lens and the ways in which girls learn. Supported by award-winning, tailored programs and world-class learning facilities, the result is myriad opportunities for girls to discover their strengths and pursue their ambitions.

Learning without limits, backed by research

Free from conscious and unconscious gender biases, research consistently shows that girls’ schools support stronger academic outcomes—students at CGGS deeply engage in their educational experiences, take intellectual risks and participate with confidence in, and beyond the classroom.

Higher participation in STEM

In a STEM setting designed for girls, year-on-year more students explore boldly, think critically and imagine the potential of the world they will shape. CGGS actively challenges stereotypes and forges pathways in science, technology, engineering and mathematics – it’s part of their DNA.

Leading without hesitation

A broad program of co-curricular activities enables every student at CGGS to take the lead. Students step forward as the captain, the chairperson, the president, the spokesperson, the casemaker or the innovator, and go out into the world expecting nothing less. At CGGS leadership is normalised – the School is steadfast in the belief that girls’ schools matter more than ever and play a vital role in placing young women at the tables where decisions are being made.

A unique community, 100 years in the making

More than just a school, CGGS connects students to a global sisterhood grounded in kindness, courage and genuine ambition. The School’s culture is clear – it is a place where it is cool to learn, curiosity is celebrated and achievement is encouraged. Students become the very best version of themselves, supported by a proven framework of Pastoral Care, hallmark Signature programs and a vibrant House system, cornerstones of life at CGGS.

A place where she can belong

The School’s diverse and highly qualified teachers know how to bring out the best in girls. A rigorous academic curriculum, enhanced by the globally recognised International Baccalaureate (IB) programmes, prepares students to think critically, act with purpose and pursue opportunities anywhere in the world. Graduates are renowned for their capability to make an impact, leaving CGGS ready to take their place at leading universities in Australia and internationally.

Experience every possibility for yourself

Opening their doors on Thursday 30 April, discover the difference a century of female-focused education makes at the upcoming CGGS whole-school Open Day.

With tours available across both the Senior, Junior and ELC Campus, you’ll be able to speak to current students and meet the teachers who make it all happen.