Forestville Montessori School vs The Forest High School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 1.3 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
The Forest High School
Frenchs Forest · Government high school · 7-12
769 students · ICSEA 1062
| Measure | Forestville Montessori School Forestville NSW | The Forest High School Frenchs Forest NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 86 Top 5% | 68 Top 25% |
| State rank (type) | – | #138 of 539 |
| National rank (type) | – | #335 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Independent | Government |
| Type | Primary | Secondary |
| Year range | K-6 | 7-12 |
| Students | 49 | 769 |
| Girls / boys | 19 / 30 | 357 / 412 |
| Foundation intake | 25 | – |
| Year 7 cohort | – | 134 |
| Year 12 cohort | – | 97 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -26% | -4% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1171 | 1062 |
| ICSEA percentile | 98th | 73th |
| Top SEA quarter | 73% | 27% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 0% | 14% |
| Students per teacher | 10.7 | 12.7 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 4.6 | 60.6 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 5.2 | 14.1 |
| Language background other than English | 56% | 34% |
| Indigenous students | 0% | 3% |
| Suburb | Forestville 2087 | Frenchs Forest 2086 |
| Council area | Northern Beaches | Northern Beaches |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.forestvillemontessori.nsw.edu.au | theforest-h.schools.nsw.gov.au |
The verdict
- •Forestville Montessori School scores higher on the Success Index (86.0 vs 67.8).
- •Forestville Montessori School has the higher ICSEA (1171 vs 1062), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Forestville Montessori School has fewer students per teacher (10.7 vs 12.7).
- •The Forest High School is the larger school with 769 students compared with 49.
- •The Forest High School has grown faster over five years (-4% vs -26%).
- •Forestville Montessori School is a independent school while The Forest 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 The Forest High School?
On the Success Index, Forestville Montessori School ranks higher (86.0 vs 67.8 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 Forestville Montessori School and The Forest High School?
About 1.3 km in a straight line, between Forestville and Frenchs Forest 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 The Forest High School has 12.7.
How do Forestville Montessori School and The Forest High School rank in NSW?
Forestville Montessori School is unranked and The Forest High School is 138th of 539 among primary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.