Frensham School vs Highlands School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 2.3 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Frensham School
Mittagong · Independent high school · 7-12
345 students · ICSEA 1137
Highlands School
Mittagong · Government special · U
37 students · ICSEA 860
| Measure | Frensham School Mittagong NSW | Highlands School Mittagong NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 81 Top 5% | – Not rated |
| State rank (type) | #16 of 539 | – |
| National rank (type) | #54 of 1,472 | – |
| Sector | Independent | Government |
| Type | Secondary | Special |
| Year range | 7-12 | U |
| Students | 345 | 37 |
| Girls / boys | 345 / 0 | 14 / 23 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | 49 | – |
| Year 12 cohort | 70 | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -3% | +12% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1137 | 860 |
| ICSEA percentile | 92th | 6th |
| Top SEA quarter | 54% | 5% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 1% | 74% |
| Students per teacher | 8.0 | 4.2 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 42.9 | 8.9 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 28.3 | 9.0 |
| Language background other than English | 8% | 8% |
| Indigenous students | 0% | 27% |
| Suburb | Mittagong 2575 | Mittagong 2575 |
| Council area | Wingecarribee | Wingecarribee |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | www.frensham.nsw.edu.au | highlands-s.schools.nsw.gov.au |
The verdict
- •Frensham School has the higher ICSEA (1137 vs 860), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Highlands School has fewer students per teacher (4.2 vs 8.0).
- •Frensham School is the larger school with 345 students compared with 37.
- •Highlands School has grown faster over five years (12% vs -3%).
- •Frensham School is a independent school while Highlands 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 Frensham School better than Highlands 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 Frensham School and Highlands School?
About 2.3 km in a straight line, between Mittagong and Mittagong in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Frensham School has 8.0 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Highlands School has 4.2.
How do Frensham School and Highlands School rank in NSW?
Frensham School is 16th of 539 and Highlands School is unranked among secondary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.