Forbes High School vs Forbes Public School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 2.6 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Forbes High School
Forbes · Government high school · 7-12
287 students · ICSEA 848
Forbes Public School
Forbes · Government primary · K-6
356 students · ICSEA 940
| Measure | Forbes High School Forbes NSW | Forbes Public School Forbes NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 18 Lower 50% | 35 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #531 of 539 | #1219 of 1,619 |
| National rank (type) | #1433 of 1,472 | #3790 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Secondary | Primary |
| Year range | 7-12 | K-6 |
| Students | 287 | 356 |
| Girls / boys | 137 / 150 | 176 / 180 |
| Foundation intake | – | 47 |
| Year 7 cohort | 54 | – |
| Year 12 cohort | 19 | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -14% | +17% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 848 | 940 |
| ICSEA percentile | 5th | 21th |
| Top SEA quarter | 1% | 8% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 69% | 37% |
| Students per teacher | 8.0 | 14.5 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 35.8 | 24.6 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 13.2 | 8.1 |
| Language background other than English | 4% | 4% |
| Indigenous students | 37% | 29% |
| Suburb | Forbes 2871 | Forbes 2871 |
| Council area | Forbes | Forbes |
| Remoteness | Outer Regional | Outer Regional |
| Website | forbes-h.schools.nsw.gov.au | forbes-p.schools.nsw.gov.au |
The verdict
- •Forbes Public School scores higher on the Success Index (34.8 vs 17.8).
- •Forbes Public School has the higher ICSEA (940 vs 848), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Forbes High School has fewer students per teacher (8.0 vs 14.5).
- •Forbes Public School is the larger school with 356 students compared with 287.
- •Forbes Public School has grown faster over five years (17% vs -14%).
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 Forbes High School better than Forbes Public School?
On the Success Index, Forbes Public School ranks higher (34.8 vs 17.8 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 Forbes High School and Forbes Public School?
About 2.6 km in a straight line, between Forbes and Forbes in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Forbes High School has 8.0 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Forbes Public School has 14.5.
How do Forbes High School and Forbes Public School rank in NSW?
Forbes High School is 531st of 539 and Forbes Public School is 1219th of 1,619 among secondary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.