Balgowlah Heights Public School vs Matthew Pearce Public School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in New South Wales, 28 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Balgowlah Heights Public School
Balgowlah · Government primary · K-6
651 students · ICSEA 1177
Matthew Pearce Public School
Baulkham Hills · Government primary · K-6
1,270 students · ICSEA 1177
| Measure | Balgowlah Heights Public School Balgowlah NSW | Matthew Pearce Public School Baulkham Hills NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 77 Top 10% | 73 Top 25% |
| State rank (type) | #100 of 1,619 | #207 of 1,619 |
| National rank (type) | #382 of 4,908 | #739 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | K-6 | K-6 |
| Students | 651 | 1,270 |
| Girls / boys | 312 / 339 | 585 / 685 |
| Foundation intake | 70 | 142 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -8% | -8% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1177 | 1177 |
| ICSEA percentile | 98th | 98th |
| Top SEA quarter | 72% | 70% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 1% | 1% |
| Students per teacher | 18.4 | 18.7 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 35.4 | 67.8 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 4.5 | 7.1 |
| Language background other than English | 22% | 90% |
| Indigenous students | 1% | 0% |
| Suburb | Balgowlah 2093 | Baulkham Hills 2153 |
| Council area | Northern Beaches | The Hills |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | balgowlaht-p.schools.nsw.gov.au | mattpearce-p.schools.nsw.gov.au |
The verdict
- •Balgowlah Heights Public School scores higher on the Success Index (77.2 vs 73.0).
- •Matthew Pearce Public School is the larger school with 1,270 students compared with 651.
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 Balgowlah Heights Public School better than Matthew Pearce Public School?
On the Success Index, Balgowlah Heights Public School ranks higher (77.2 vs 73.0 out of 100). The index measures community advantage and momentum from ACARA data, not teaching quality, so visit both schools before deciding.
How far apart are Balgowlah Heights Public School and Matthew Pearce Public School?
About 28 km in a straight line, between Balgowlah and Baulkham Hills in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Balgowlah Heights Public School has 18.4 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Matthew Pearce Public School has 18.7.
How do Balgowlah Heights Public School and Matthew Pearce Public School rank in NSW?
Balgowlah Heights Public School is 100th of 1,619 and Matthew Pearce Public School is 207th of 1,619 among primary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.