Forest Hill State School vs St Mary's School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in Queensland, 6.2 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Forest Hill State School
Forest Hill · Government primary · Prep-6
128 students · ICSEA 965
St Mary's School
Laidley · Catholic primary · Prep-6
260 students · ICSEA 1003
| Measure | Forest Hill State School Forest Hill QLD | St Mary's School Laidley QLD |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 37 Lower 50% | 52 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #517 of 804 | #310 of 804 |
| National rank (type) | #3668 of 4,908 | #2568 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | Prep-6 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 128 | 260 |
| Girls / boys | 56 / 72 | 127 / 133 |
| Foundation intake | 23 | 38 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -2% | +7% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 965 | 1003 |
| ICSEA percentile | 31th | 48th |
| Top SEA quarter | 5% | 8% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 41% | 30% |
| Students per teacher | 13.6 | 13.4 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 9.4 | 19.4 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 5.0 | 9.3 |
| Language background other than English | 2% | 1% |
| Indigenous students | 14% | 6% |
| Suburb | Forest Hill 4342 | Laidley 4341 |
| Council area | Lockyer Valley | Lockyer Valley |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | foresthillss.eq.edu.au | www.stmaryslaidley.qld.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Mary's School scores higher on the Success Index (51.8 vs 36.5).
- •St Mary's School has the higher ICSEA (1003 vs 965), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •St Mary's School is the larger school with 260 students compared with 128.
- •St Mary's School has grown faster over five years (7% vs -2%).
- •Forest Hill State School is a government school while St Mary's School is a catholic 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 Forest Hill State School better than St Mary's School?
On the Success Index, St Mary's School ranks higher (51.8 vs 36.5 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 Forest Hill State School and St Mary's School?
About 6.2 km in a straight line, between Forest Hill and Laidley in Queensland.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Forest Hill State School has 13.6 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Mary's School has 13.4.
How do Forest Hill State School and St Mary's School rank in QLD?
Forest Hill State School is 517th of 804 and St Mary's School is 310th of 804 among primary schools in Queensland on the 2025 Success Index.