Forest Hill College vs Vermont South Special School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Victoria, 1.5 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Forest Hill College
Burwood East · Government high school · 7-12
356 students · ICSEA 1045
Vermont South Special School
Vermont South · Government special · U
140 students · ICSEA 998
| Measure | Forest Hill College Burwood East VIC | Vermont South Special School Vermont South VIC |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 67 Top 25% | – Not rated |
| State rank (type) | #122 of 348 | – |
| National rank (type) | #364 of 1,472 | – |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Secondary | Special |
| Year range | 7-12 | U |
| Students | 356 | 140 |
| Girls / boys | 139 / 217 | 41 / 99 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | 51 | – |
| Year 12 cohort | 67 | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | 31 | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | 6.7% | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -43% | -1% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1045 | 998 |
| ICSEA percentile | 66th | 46th |
| Top SEA quarter | 23% | 15% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 21% | 34% |
| Students per teacher | 9.2 | 4.9 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 38.7 | 28.6 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 16.2 | 30.4 |
| Language background other than English | 41% | 22% |
| Indigenous students | 1% | 8% |
| Suburb | Burwood East 3151 | Vermont South 3133 |
| Council area | Whitehorse | Whitehorse |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.fhc.vic.edu.au | www.vermont-south-ss.vic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Forest Hill College has the higher ICSEA (1045 vs 998), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Vermont South Special School has fewer students per teacher (4.9 vs 9.2).
- •Forest Hill College is the larger school with 356 students compared with 140.
- •Vermont South Special School has grown faster over five years (-1% vs -43%).
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 College better than Vermont South Special 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 Forest Hill College and Vermont South Special School?
About 1.5 km in a straight line, between Burwood East and Vermont South in Victoria.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Forest Hill College has 9.2 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Vermont South Special School has 4.9.
How do Forest Hill College and Vermont South Special School rank in VIC?
Forest Hill College is 122nd of 348 and Vermont South Special School is unranked among secondary schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.