Forestville Montessori School vs Killarney Heights High School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 1.5 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Forestville Montessori School
Forestville · Independent primary · K-6
49 students · ICSEA 1171
Killarney Heights High School
Killarney Heights · Government high school · 7-12
969 students · ICSEA 1132
| Measure | Forestville Montessori School Forestville NSW | Killarney Heights High School Killarney Heights NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 86 Top 5% | 78 Top 10% |
| State rank (type) | – | #32 of 539 |
| National rank (type) | – | #97 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Independent | Government |
| Type | Primary | Secondary |
| Year range | K-6 | 7-12 |
| Students | 49 | 969 |
| Girls / boys | 19 / 30 | 399 / 570 |
| Foundation intake | 25 | – |
| Year 7 cohort | – | 162 |
| Year 12 cohort | – | 169 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -26% | +3% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1171 | 1132 |
| ICSEA percentile | 98th | 92th |
| Top SEA quarter | 73% | 52% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 0% | 4% |
| Students per teacher | 10.7 | 14.6 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 4.6 | 66.3 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 5.2 | 12.8 |
| Language background other than English | 56% | 45% |
| Indigenous students | 0% | 0% |
| Suburb | Forestville 2087 | Killarney Heights 2087 |
| Council area | Northern Beaches | Northern Beaches |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.forestvillemontessori.nsw.edu.au | killarney-h.schools.nsw.gov.au |
The verdict
- •Forestville Montessori School scores higher on the Success Index (86.0 vs 77.9).
- •Forestville Montessori School has the higher ICSEA (1171 vs 1132), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Forestville Montessori School has fewer students per teacher (10.7 vs 14.6).
- •Killarney Heights High School is the larger school with 969 students compared with 49.
- •Killarney Heights High School has grown faster over five years (3% vs -26%).
- •Forestville Montessori School is a independent school while Killarney Heights High School is a government 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 Forestville Montessori School better than Killarney Heights High School?
On the Success Index, Forestville Montessori School ranks higher (86.0 vs 77.9 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 Forestville Montessori School and Killarney Heights High School?
About 1.5 km in a straight line, between Forestville and Killarney Heights in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Forestville Montessori School has 10.7 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Killarney Heights High School has 14.6.
How do Forestville Montessori School and Killarney Heights High School rank in NSW?
Forestville Montessori School is unranked and Killarney Heights High School is 32nd of 539 among primary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.