Bowral High School vs Frensham School
A head-to-head comparison of two secondary schools in New South Wales, 4.6 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Bowral High School
Bowral · Government high school · 7-12
564 students · ICSEA 956
Frensham School
Mittagong · Independent high school · 7-12
345 students · ICSEA 1137
| Measure | Bowral High School Bowral NSW | Frensham School Mittagong NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 30 Lower 50% | 81 Top 5% |
| State rank (type) | #426 of 539 | #16 of 539 |
| National rank (type) | #1174 of 1,472 | #54 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Government | Independent |
| Type | Secondary | Secondary |
| Year range | 7-12 | 7-12 |
| Students | 564 | 345 |
| Girls / boys | 283 / 281 | 345 / 0 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | 99 | 49 |
| Year 12 cohort | 65 | 70 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -28% | -3% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 956 | 1137 |
| ICSEA percentile | 27th | 92th |
| Top SEA quarter | 4% | 54% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 47% | 1% |
| Students per teacher | 10.1 | 8.0 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 55.8 | 42.9 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 16.5 | 28.3 |
| Language background other than English | 12% | 8% |
| Indigenous students | 11% | 0% |
| Suburb | Bowral 2576 | Mittagong 2575 |
| Council area | Wingecarribee | Wingecarribee |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | bowral-h.schools.nsw.gov.au | www.frensham.nsw.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Frensham School scores higher on the Success Index (81.0 vs 30.2).
- •Frensham School has the higher ICSEA (1137 vs 956), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Frensham School has fewer students per teacher (8.0 vs 10.1).
- •Bowral High School is the larger school with 564 students compared with 345.
- •Frensham School has grown faster over five years (-3% vs -28%).
- •Bowral High School is a government school while Frensham School is an independent 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.
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 Camden
Frequently asked questions
Is Bowral High School better than Frensham School?
On the Success Index, Frensham School ranks higher (81.0 vs 30.2 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 Bowral High School and Frensham School?
About 4.6 km in a straight line, between Bowral and Mittagong in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Bowral High School has 10.1 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Frensham School has 8.0.
How do Bowral High School and Frensham School rank in NSW?
Bowral High School is 426th of 539 and Frensham School is 16th of 539 among secondary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.