Arranounbai School vs The Forest High School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 1.4 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Arranounbai School
Frenchs Forest · Government special · U
34 students · ICSEA 1073
The Forest High School
Frenchs Forest · Government high school · 7-12
769 students · ICSEA 1062
| Measure | Arranounbai School Frenchs Forest NSW | The Forest High School Frenchs Forest NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | – Not rated | 68 Top 25% |
| State rank (type) | – | #138 of 539 |
| National rank (type) | – | #335 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Special | Secondary |
| Year range | U | 7-12 |
| Students | 34 | 769 |
| Girls / boys | 13 / 21 | 357 / 412 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | – | 134 |
| Year 12 cohort | – | 97 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -15% | -4% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1073 | 1062 |
| ICSEA percentile | 76th | 73th |
| Top SEA quarter | 31% | 27% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 18% | 14% |
| Students per teacher | 2.4 | 12.7 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 14.3 | 60.6 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 10.4 | 14.1 |
| Language background other than English | 50% | 34% |
| Indigenous students | 0% | 3% |
| Suburb | Frenchs Forest 2086 | Frenchs Forest 2086 |
| Council area | Northern Beaches | Northern Beaches |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | arranoun-s.schools.nsw.gov.au | theforest-h.schools.nsw.gov.au |
The verdict
- •Arranounbai School has the higher ICSEA (1073 vs 1062), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Arranounbai School has fewer students per teacher (2.4 vs 12.7).
- •The Forest High School is the larger school with 769 students compared with 34.
- •The Forest High School has grown faster over five years (-4% vs -15%).
The Success Index summarises community advantage, resourcing and momentum from ACARA data. It does not measure teaching quality, results or fit. Methodology.
Free academic assessment
Torn between two schools? Start with your child.
Whichever you choose, a free Success Tutoring assessment shows exactly where your child is in English and Maths and how to get ahead before the next school year.
- Personalised learning plan mapped to the Australian Curriculum
- English & Maths from Kindergarten to Year 12
- Flexible memberships, no lock-in contracts
- Your nearest centre: Success Tutoring Dee Why
Frequently asked questions
Is Arranounbai School better than The Forest High School?
The two schools are very close on the Success Index. Differences in sector, size, year range and distance from home will matter more than the score.
How far apart are Arranounbai School and The Forest High School?
About 1.4 km in a straight line, between Frenchs Forest and Frenchs Forest in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Arranounbai School has 2.4 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and The Forest High School has 12.7.
How do Arranounbai School and The Forest High School rank in NSW?
Arranounbai School is unranked and The Forest High School is 138th of 539 among special schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.