Forest Lodge Public School vs Mackillop Education Waranara School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 940 m apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Forest Lodge Public School
Forest Lodge · Government primary · K-6
307 students · ICSEA 1161
Mackillop Education Waranara School
Annandale · Independent special · 9-12
85 students · ICSEA 1019
| Measure | Forest Lodge Public School Forest Lodge NSW | Mackillop Education Waranara School Annandale NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 79 Top 5% | – Not rated |
| State rank (type) | #56 of 1,619 | – |
| National rank (type) | #240 of 4,908 | – |
| Sector | Government | Independent |
| Type | Primary | Special |
| Year range | K-6 | 9-12 |
| Students | 307 | 85 |
| Girls / boys | 169 / 138 | 50 / 35 |
| Foundation intake | 52 | – |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | 13 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -14% | +55% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1161 | 1019 |
| ICSEA percentile | 97th | 56th |
| Top SEA quarter | 66% | 21% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 3% | 24% |
| Students per teacher | 16.2 | 9.4 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 19.0 | 9.0 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 2.8 | 8.6 |
| Language background other than English | 44% | 13% |
| Indigenous students | 2% | 13% |
| Suburb | Forest Lodge 2037 | Annandale 2038 |
| Council area | Sydney | Inner West |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | forestlodg-p.schools.nsw.gov.au | www.goodshep.org.au/find-a-service/educational-pathways/ |
The verdict
- •Forest Lodge Public School has the higher ICSEA (1161 vs 1019), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Mackillop Education Waranara School has fewer students per teacher (9.4 vs 16.2).
- •Forest Lodge Public School is the larger school with 307 students compared with 85.
- •Mackillop Education Waranara School has grown faster over five years (55% vs -14%).
- •Forest Lodge Public School is a government school while Mackillop Education Waranara 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 Burwood
Frequently asked questions
Is Forest Lodge Public School better than Mackillop Education Waranara 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 Forest Lodge Public School and Mackillop Education Waranara School?
About 940 m in a straight line, between Forest Lodge and Annandale in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Forest Lodge Public School has 16.2 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Mackillop Education Waranara School has 9.4.
How do Forest Lodge Public School and Mackillop Education Waranara School rank in NSW?
Forest Lodge Public School is 56th of 1,619 and Mackillop Education Waranara School is unranked among primary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.