Forbes High School vs St Laurence's Parish School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 1.7 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
St Laurence's Parish School
Forbes · Catholic primary · K-6
298 students · ICSEA 992
| Measure | Forbes High School Forbes NSW | St Laurence's Parish School Forbes NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 18 Lower 50% | 42 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #531 of 539 | #1059 of 1,619 |
| National rank (type) | #1433 of 1,472 | #3316 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Secondary | Primary |
| Year range | 7-12 | K-6 |
| Students | 287 | 298 |
| Girls / boys | 137 / 150 | 158 / 140 |
| Foundation intake | – | 45 |
| Year 7 cohort | 54 | – |
| Year 12 cohort | 19 | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -14% | -3% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 848 | 992 |
| ICSEA percentile | 5th | 43th |
| Top SEA quarter | 1% | 17% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 69% | 26% |
| Students per teacher | 8.0 | 15.8 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 35.8 | 18.9 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 13.2 | 10.7 |
| Language background other than English | 4% | 6% |
| Indigenous students | 37% | 19% |
| Suburb | Forbes 2871 | Forbes 2871 |
| Council area | Forbes | Forbes |
| Remoteness | Outer Regional | Outer Regional |
| Website | forbes-h.schools.nsw.gov.au | www.forbes.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Laurence's Parish School scores higher on the Success Index (41.6 vs 17.8).
- •St Laurence's Parish School has the higher ICSEA (992 vs 848), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Forbes High School has fewer students per teacher (8.0 vs 15.8).
- •St Laurence's Parish School is the larger school with 298 students compared with 287.
- •St Laurence's Parish School has grown faster over five years (-3% vs -14%).
- •Forbes High School is a government school while St Laurence's Parish School is a catholic 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 Forbes High School better than St Laurence's Parish School?
On the Success Index, St Laurence's Parish School ranks higher (41.6 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 St Laurence's Parish School?
About 1.7 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 St Laurence's Parish School has 15.8.
How do Forbes High School and St Laurence's Parish School rank in NSW?
Forbes High School is 531st of 539 and St Laurence's Parish School is 1059th of 1,619 among secondary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.