Aspect Vern Barnett School vs Killarney Heights High School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 1.0 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Aspect Vern Barnett School
Forestville · Independent special · U
97 students · ICSEA 1107
Killarney Heights High School
Killarney Heights · Government high school · 7-12
969 students · ICSEA 1132
| Measure | Aspect Vern Barnett School Forestville NSW | Killarney Heights High School Killarney Heights NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | – Not rated | 78 Top 10% |
| State rank (type) | – | #32 of 539 |
| National rank (type) | – | #97 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Independent | Government |
| Type | Special | Secondary |
| Year range | U | 7-12 |
| Students | 97 | 969 |
| Girls / boys | 22 / 75 | 399 / 570 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | – | 162 |
| Year 12 cohort | – | 169 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -20% | +3% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1107 | 1132 |
| ICSEA percentile | 86th | 92th |
| Top SEA quarter | 44% | 52% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 6% | 4% |
| Students per teacher | 4.2 | 14.6 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 23.1 | 66.3 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 27.2 | 12.8 |
| Language background other than English | 54% | 45% |
| Indigenous students | 1% | 0% |
| Suburb | Forestville 2087 | Killarney Heights 2087 |
| Council area | Northern Beaches | Northern Beaches |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.autismspectrum.org.au | killarney-h.schools.nsw.gov.au |
The verdict
- •Killarney Heights High School has the higher ICSEA (1132 vs 1107), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Aspect Vern Barnett School has fewer students per teacher (4.2 vs 14.6).
- •Killarney Heights High School is the larger school with 969 students compared with 97.
- •Killarney Heights High School has grown faster over five years (3% vs -20%).
- •Aspect Vern Barnett School is a independent school while Killarney Heights High School is a government school, so fees and enrolment rules differ.
The Success Index summarises community advantage, resourcing and momentum from ACARA data. It does not measure teaching quality, results or fit. Methodology.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Aspect Vern Barnett School better than Killarney Heights 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 Aspect Vern Barnett School and Killarney Heights High School?
About 1.0 km in a straight line, between Forestville and Killarney Heights in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Aspect Vern Barnett School has 4.2 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Killarney Heights High School has 14.6.
How do Aspect Vern Barnett School and Killarney Heights High School rank in NSW?
Aspect Vern Barnett School is unranked and Killarney Heights High School is 32nd of 539 among special schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.