Fort Street High School vs Petersham Public School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 656 m apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Fort Street High School
Petersham · Government high school · 7-12
917 students · ICSEA 1176
Petersham Public School
Petersham · Government primary · K-6
232 students · ICSEA 1137
| Measure | Fort Street High School Petersham NSW | Petersham Public School Petersham NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 72 Top 25% | 74 Top 25% |
| State rank (type) | #91 of 539 | #188 of 1,619 |
| National rank (type) | #249 of 1,472 | #674 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Secondary | Primary |
| Year range | 7-12 | K-6 |
| Students | 917 | 232 |
| Girls / boys | 301 / 616 | 108 / 124 |
| Foundation intake | – | 29 |
| Year 7 cohort | 150 | – |
| Year 12 cohort | 158 | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | 0% | -15% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1176 | 1137 |
| ICSEA percentile | 98th | 92th |
| Top SEA quarter | 65% | 56% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 3% | 6% |
| Students per teacher | 14.3 | 15.6 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 64.0 | 14.9 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 12.4 | 2.4 |
| Language background other than English | 78% | 37% |
| Indigenous students | 0% | 1% |
| Suburb | Petersham 2049 | Petersham 2049 |
| Council area | Inner West | Inner West |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | fortstreet-h.schools.nsw.gov.au | petersham-p.schools.nsw.gov.au |
The verdict
- •Petersham Public School scores higher on the Success Index (73.6 vs 71.5).
- •Fort Street High School has the higher ICSEA (1176 vs 1137), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Fort Street High School has fewer students per teacher (14.3 vs 15.6).
- •Fort Street High School is the larger school with 917 students compared with 232.
- •Fort Street High School has grown faster over five years (0% vs -15%).
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 Fort Street High School better than Petersham Public School?
On the Success Index, Petersham Public School ranks higher (73.6 vs 71.5 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 Fort Street High School and Petersham Public School?
About 656 m in a straight line, between Petersham and Petersham in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Fort Street High School has 14.3 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Petersham Public School has 15.6.
How do Fort Street High School and Petersham Public School rank in NSW?
Fort Street High School is 91st of 539 and Petersham Public School is 188th of 1,619 among secondary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.