Killarney Heights High School vs The Forest High School
A head-to-head comparison of two secondary schools in New South Wales, 2.8 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Killarney Heights High School
Killarney Heights · Government high school · 7-12
969 students · ICSEA 1132
The Forest High School
Frenchs Forest · Government high school · 7-12
769 students · ICSEA 1062
| Measure | Killarney Heights High School Killarney Heights NSW | The Forest High School Frenchs Forest NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 78 Top 10% | 68 Top 25% |
| State rank (type) | #32 of 539 | #138 of 539 |
| National rank (type) | #97 of 1,472 | #335 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Secondary | Secondary |
| Year range | 7-12 | 7-12 |
| Students | 969 | 769 |
| Girls / boys | 399 / 570 | 357 / 412 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | 162 | 134 |
| Year 12 cohort | 169 | 97 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +3% | -4% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1132 | 1062 |
| ICSEA percentile | 92th | 73th |
| Top SEA quarter | 52% | 27% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 4% | 14% |
| Students per teacher | 14.6 | 12.7 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 66.3 | 60.6 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 12.8 | 14.1 |
| Language background other than English | 45% | 34% |
| Indigenous students | 0% | 3% |
| Suburb | Killarney Heights 2087 | Frenchs Forest 2086 |
| Council area | Northern Beaches | Northern Beaches |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | killarney-h.schools.nsw.gov.au | theforest-h.schools.nsw.gov.au |
The verdict
- •Killarney Heights High School scores higher on the Success Index (77.9 vs 67.8).
- •Killarney Heights High School has the higher ICSEA (1132 vs 1062), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •The Forest High School has fewer students per teacher (12.7 vs 14.6).
- •Killarney Heights High School is the larger school with 969 students compared with 769.
- •Killarney Heights High School has grown faster over five years (3% vs -4%).
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 Killarney Heights High School better than The Forest High School?
On the Success Index, Killarney Heights High School ranks higher (77.9 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 Killarney Heights High School and The Forest High School?
About 2.8 km in a straight line, between Killarney Heights and Frenchs Forest in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Killarney Heights High School has 14.6 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and The Forest High School has 12.7.
How do Killarney Heights High School and The Forest High School rank in NSW?
Killarney Heights High School is 32nd of 539 and The Forest High School is 138th of 539 among secondary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.