Alexandra College
Dublin 6, Dublin
Key facts
- Girls
- Pupils enrolled
- 664 larger than the median Irish post-primary school (585 pupils)
- Ethos
- Church Of Ireland
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects taught through Irish
- Roll number
- 60910F the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Alexandra College is an all‑girls day and boarding school in Dublin offering a continuous educational journey from preschool (age 3) through senior cycle (age 19). The college combines rigorous academic programmes with a broad co‑curricular portfolio that includes sport, music, visual and dramatic arts, and wellbeing initiatives, fostering a culture of vivacity, happiness and vitality. Academic excellence is a hallmark, with consistently strong Junior and Leaving Certificate results, and a curriculum that encourages challenge, critical thinking and lifelong learning. The school’s inclusive ethos is reflected in small‑class teaching, strong student‑teacher relationships and a supportive boarding environment described as a “cocoon” where pupils can develop independence while feeling secure. Facilities cater to a holistic education: dedicated spaces for music and performance, extensive sports provisions, and boarding houses that provide a nurturing residential community. Alexandra College prepares its graduates not only for university and careers but also for active, confident participation in society, underpinned by values of respect, kindness and personal fulfilment.
History
Founded in 1866 by Quaker educationalist Anne Jellicoe, Alexandra College was established to provide advanced education for young women at a time when such opportunities were scarce. Initially operating as a separate university and feeder high school, it evolved into a junior and senior school drawing pupils from across Ireland and abroad. In 1884, six of the first nine women to earn degrees in the UK and Ireland – the “Nine Graces” – were alumnae. The early 1900s saw the creation of the Alexandra College School, which later merged with the original institution to form today’s secondary school, notable for its non‑uniform senior cycle. The Alexandra College Guild, founded in 1897, launched charitable initiatives that laid the groundwork for the Alex Women’s Charity and various social service projects.
Applying to Alexandra College
For a September 2027 place, a school's formal admissions process cannot begin before 1 October 2026. The school sets its own opening and closing dates in its annual admission notice.
National term dates 2026/27
View Alexandra College's own calendar (2026/2027 school year)
Irish schools follow a standardised school year, so these nationwide post-primary school dates apply broadly to Alexandra College. The school publishes its own calendar, linked above, and that is the authoritative source for its reopening date and discretionary closure days.
- October Mid-Term Break: Mon 26 Oct – Fri 30 Oct 2026
- Christmas Holidays: Wed 23 Dec 2026 – Tue 5 Jan 2027
- February Mid-Term Break: Mon 15 Feb – Fri 19 Feb 2027 (primary schools: Thu 18 Feb – Fri 19 Feb 2027)
- Easter Holidays: Mon 22 Mar – Sun 4 Apr 2027
Primary schools close for the last two days of the February mid-term week and may use discretionary days to take the full week, so their break can be shorter than post-primary schools'.
Frequently asked questions about Alexandra College
How many pupils attend Alexandra College?
Alexandra College has 664 pupils enrolled. That makes it larger than the median Irish post-primary school, which has 585 pupils.
Is Alexandra College a DEIS school?
No. Alexandra College is not part of DEIS, the Department of Education programme of additional supports for schools serving communities at risk of educational disadvantage. Not holding DEIS status says nothing about how good a school is, only about the profile of the community it serves.
What is the ethos of Alexandra College?
Alexandra College has a Church Of Ireland ethos. It is a girls' post-primary school.