Highlands School vs Lawrence Hargrave School
A head-to-head comparison of two special schools in New South Wales, 74 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Highlands School
Mittagong · Government special · U
37 students · ICSEA 860
Lawrence Hargrave School
Warwick Farm · Government special · U
59 students · ICSEA 862
| Measure | Highlands School Mittagong NSW | Lawrence Hargrave School Warwick Farm NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | – Not rated | – Not rated |
| State rank (type) | – | – |
| National rank (type) | – | – |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Special | Special |
| Year range | U | U |
| Students | 37 | 59 |
| Girls / boys | 14 / 23 | 15 / 44 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +12% | +18% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 860 | 862 |
| ICSEA percentile | 6th | 6th |
| Top SEA quarter | 5% | 3% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 74% | 64% |
| Students per teacher | 4.2 | 3.2 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 8.9 | 18.7 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 9.0 | 13.5 |
| Language background other than English | 8% | 46% |
| Indigenous students | 27% | 41% |
| Suburb | Mittagong 2575 | Warwick Farm 2170 |
| Council area | Wingecarribee | Liverpool |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Major Cities |
| Website | highlands-s.schools.nsw.gov.au | lawrenceha-s.schools.nsw.gov.au |
The verdict
- •Lawrence Hargrave School has the higher ICSEA (862 vs 860), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Lawrence Hargrave School has fewer students per teacher (3.2 vs 4.2).
- •Lawrence Hargrave School is the larger school with 59 students compared with 37.
- •Lawrence Hargrave School has grown faster over five years (18% vs 12%).
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 Highlands School better than Lawrence Hargrave 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 Highlands School and Lawrence Hargrave School?
About 74 km in a straight line, between Mittagong and Warwick Farm in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Highlands School has 4.2 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Lawrence Hargrave School has 3.2.
How do Highlands School and Lawrence Hargrave School rank in NSW?
Highlands School is unranked and Lawrence Hargrave School is unranked among special schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.