Fort Street Public School vs Nicholson Street Public School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in New South Wales, 1.2 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Fort Street Public School
Sydney · Government primary · K-6
284 students · ICSEA 1094
Nicholson Street Public School
Balmain East · Government primary · K-6
95 students · ICSEA 1151
| Measure | Fort Street Public School Sydney NSW | Nicholson Street Public School Balmain East NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 69 Top 25% | 78 Top 10% |
| State rank (type) | #327 of 1,619 | #86 of 1,619 |
| National rank (type) | #1074 of 4,908 | #328 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | K-6 | K-6 |
| Students | 284 | 95 |
| Girls / boys | 136 / 148 | 45 / 50 |
| Foundation intake | 40 | 12 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +32% | -27% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1094 | 1151 |
| ICSEA percentile | 83th | 95th |
| Top SEA quarter | 39% | 61% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 8% | 1% |
| Students per teacher | 15.7 | 18.3 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 18.1 | 5.2 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 2.5 | 1.6 |
| Language background other than English | 84% | 19% |
| Indigenous students | 0% | 1% |
| Suburb | Sydney 2000 | Balmain East 2041 |
| Council area | Sydney | Inner West |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | fortstreet-p.schools.nsw.gov.au | nicholson-p.schools.nsw.gov.au |
The verdict
- •Nicholson Street Public School scores higher on the Success Index (78.0 vs 69.3).
- •Nicholson Street Public School has the higher ICSEA (1151 vs 1094), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Fort Street Public School has fewer students per teacher (15.7 vs 18.3).
- •Fort Street Public School is the larger school with 284 students compared with 95.
- •Fort Street Public School has grown faster over five years (32% vs -27%).
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 Public School better than Nicholson Street Public School?
On the Success Index, Nicholson Street Public School ranks higher (78.0 vs 69.3 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 Public School and Nicholson Street Public School?
About 1.2 km in a straight line, between Sydney and Balmain East in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Fort Street Public School has 15.7 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Nicholson Street Public School has 18.3.
How do Fort Street Public School and Nicholson Street Public School rank in NSW?
Fort Street Public School is 327th of 1,619 and Nicholson Street Public School is 86th of 1,619 among primary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.