Mount St Benedict College vs Pennant Hills High School
A head-to-head comparison of two secondary schools in New South Wales, 775 m apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Mount St Benedict College
Pennant Hills · Independent high school · 7-12
1,331 students · ICSEA 1147
Pennant Hills High School
Pennant Hills · Government high school · 7-12
1,131 students · ICSEA 1109
| Measure | Mount St Benedict College Pennant Hills NSW | Pennant Hills High School Pennant Hills NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 84 Top 5% | 73 Top 25% |
| State rank (type) | #10 of 539 | #72 of 539 |
| National rank (type) | #24 of 1,472 | #202 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Independent | Government |
| Type | Secondary | Secondary |
| Year range | 7-12 | 7-12 |
| Students | 1,331 | 1,131 |
| Girls / boys | 1,331 / 0 | 517 / 614 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | 256 | 176 |
| Year 12 cohort | 156 | 168 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +20% | +6% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1147 | 1109 |
| ICSEA percentile | 95th | 87th |
| Top SEA quarter | 57% | 43% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 2% | 5% |
| Students per teacher | 12.4 | 14.0 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 107.1 | 81.0 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 53.9 | 18.6 |
| Language background other than English | 32% | 37% |
| Indigenous students | 0% | 1% |
| Suburb | Pennant Hills 2120 | Pennant Hills 2120 |
| Council area | Hornsby | Hornsby |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.msb.nsw.edu.au/ | pennanthil-h.schools.nsw.gov.au |
The verdict
- •Mount St Benedict College scores higher on the Success Index (84.2 vs 73.2).
- •Mount St Benedict College has the higher ICSEA (1147 vs 1109), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Mount St Benedict College has fewer students per teacher (12.4 vs 14.0).
- •Mount St Benedict College is the larger school with 1,331 students compared with 1,131.
- •Mount St Benedict College has grown faster over five years (20% vs 6%).
- •Mount St Benedict College is a independent school while Pennant Hills High 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 Mount St Benedict College better than Pennant Hills High School?
On the Success Index, Mount St Benedict College ranks higher (84.2 vs 73.2 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 Mount St Benedict College and Pennant Hills High School?
About 775 m in a straight line, between Pennant Hills and Pennant Hills in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Mount St Benedict College has 12.4 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Pennant Hills High School has 14.0.
How do Mount St Benedict College and Pennant Hills High School rank in NSW?
Mount St Benedict College is 10th of 539 and Pennant Hills High School is 72nd of 539 among secondary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.