Farmhouse Montessori School vs Highfields Preparatory and Kindergarten School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in New South Wales, 7.7 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Farmhouse Montessori School
North Balgowlah · Independent primary · K-6
37 students · ICSEA 1165
Highfields Preparatory and Kindergarten School
Lindfield · Independent primary · K-2
98 students · ICSEA 1164
| Measure | Farmhouse Montessori School North Balgowlah NSW | Highfields Preparatory and Kindergarten School Lindfield NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 82 Top 5% | 82 Top 5% |
| State rank (type) | – | #23 of 1,619 |
| National rank (type) | – | #102 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Independent | Independent |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | K-6 | K-2 |
| Students | 37 | 98 |
| Girls / boys | 23 / 14 | 46 / 52 |
| Foundation intake | 6 | 34 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -35% | +5% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1165 | 1164 |
| ICSEA percentile | 97th | 97th |
| Top SEA quarter | 70% | 67% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 1% | 0% |
| Students per teacher | 5.3 | 14.0 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 7.0 | 7.0 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 3.4 | 6.7 |
| Language background other than English | 20% | 74% |
| Indigenous students | 0% | 0% |
| Suburb | North Balgowlah 2093 | Lindfield 2070 |
| Council area | Northern Beaches | Ku-ring-gai |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | farmhousemontessori.org.au/ | www.highfields.nsw.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Both schools have almost identical Success Index scores (81.6 vs 82.4).
- •Farmhouse Montessori School has the higher ICSEA (1165 vs 1164), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Farmhouse Montessori School has fewer students per teacher (5.3 vs 14.0).
- •Highfields Preparatory and Kindergarten School is the larger school with 98 students compared with 37.
- •Highfields Preparatory and Kindergarten School has grown faster over five years (5% vs -35%).
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 Farmhouse Montessori School better than Highfields Preparatory and Kindergarten 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 Farmhouse Montessori School and Highfields Preparatory and Kindergarten School?
About 7.7 km in a straight line, between North Balgowlah and Lindfield in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Farmhouse Montessori School has 5.3 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Highfields Preparatory and Kindergarten School has 14.0.
How do Farmhouse Montessori School and Highfields Preparatory and Kindergarten School rank in NSW?
Farmhouse Montessori School is unranked and Highfields Preparatory and Kindergarten School is 23rd of 1,619 among primary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.