Top 64 fastest-growing schools in Cairns (2025)
Established schools (100+ students five years ago, 200+ today) whose enrolments have grown the most over the past five years, a strong signal of parent demand. Ordered by the measure shown, with the Success Index for context; 64 schools shown out of all eligible fastest-growing schools in Cairns.
- Primary Schools
- High Schools
- Public Schools
- Private Schools
- Catholic Schools
- Independent Schools
- Public Primary Schools
- Public High Schools
- Private Primary Schools
- Private High Schools
- Girls' Schools
- Boys' Schools
- K-12 Schools
- VCE Schools by Median Study Score
- Schools with Top ATAR Students (WA)
- VCE Schools by Study Scores of 40+
- Schools With the Best Student–Teacher Ratio
- Largest Schools
- 141MacKillop Catholic College, Mount PeterMount Peter · Catholic Combined5-yr growth: +122%
- 266Trinity Anglican SchoolWhite Rock · Independent Combined5-yr growth: +79%
- 339Parramatta State SchoolParramatta Park · Government Primary5-yr growth: +42%
- 426Mossman State SchoolMossman · Government Primary5-yr growth: +23%
- 549Jubilee Christian CollegeAtherton · Independent Combined5-yr growth: +18%
- 631Tully State SchoolTully · Government Primary5-yr growth: +16%
- 744Good Counsel CollegeInnisfail · Catholic Secondary5-yr growth: +16%
- 857Yungaburra State SchoolYungaburra · Government Primary5-yr growth: +13%
- 961St Stephen's Catholic CollegeMareeba · Catholic Secondary5-yr growth: +11%
- 1049St Joseph's SchoolAtherton · Catholic Primary5-yr growth: +11%
- 1160Malanda State High SchoolMalanda · Government Secondary5-yr growth: +10%
- 1247Good Counsel Primary SchoolInnisfail · Catholic Primary5-yr growth: +9%
- 1325Bentley Park CollegeBentley Park · Government Combined5-yr growth: +9%
- 1462Holy Cross SchoolTrinity Park · Catholic Primary5-yr growth: +6%
- 1527Tully State High SchoolTully · Government Secondary5-yr growth: +1%
- 1665St Monica's CollegeCairns · Catholic Secondary5-yr growth: +0%
- 1730Ravenshoe State SchoolRavenshoe · Government Combined5-yr growth: +0%
- 1824Balaclava State SchoolMooroobool · Government Primary5-yr growth: +0%
- 1926Trinity Bay State High SchoolManunda · Government Secondary5-yr growth: 0%
- 2053Freshwater Christian CollegeBrinsmead · Independent Combined5-yr growth: -1%
- 2145Yorkeys Knob State SchoolYorkeys Knob · Government Primary5-yr growth: -1%
- 2259Caravonica State SchoolCaravonica · Government Primary5-yr growth: -1%
- 2350St Gerard Majella Primary SchoolWoree · Catholic Primary5-yr growth: -1%
- 2467St Augustine's CollegeCairns · Catholic Secondary5-yr growth: -2%
- 2544St Thomas' SchoolMareeba · Catholic Primary5-yr growth: -2%
- 2651Cairns State High SchoolCairns North · Government Secondary5-yr growth: -2%
- 2770Mother of Good Counsel SchoolCairns North · Catholic Primary5-yr growth: -2%
- 2840Whitfield State SchoolWhitfield · Government Primary5-yr growth: -3%
- 2953St Mary's Catholic CollegeWoree · Catholic Secondary5-yr growth: -3%
- 3046Malanda State SchoolMalanda · Government Primary5-yr growth: -4%
- 3128Innisfail State CollegeInnisfail Estate · Government Combined5-yr growth: -4%
- 3253Port Douglas State SchoolPort Douglas · Government Primary5-yr growth: -5%
- 3340Redlynch State CollegeRedlynch · Government Combined5-yr growth: -6%
- 3445St Michael's SchoolGordonvale · Catholic Primary5-yr growth: -6%
- 3524Yarrabah State SchoolYarrabah · Government Combined5-yr growth: -7%
- 3615Mareeba State High SchoolMareeba · Government Secondary5-yr growth: -8%
- 3744Tropical North Learning Academy - Smithfield State High SchoolSmithfield · Government Secondary5-yr growth: -8%
- 3820Goondi State SchoolGoondi Bend · Government Primary5-yr growth: -9%
- 3949St Joseph's SchoolParramatta Park · Catholic Primary5-yr growth: -9%
- 4030Babinda State SchoolBabinda · Government Combined5-yr growth: -10%
- 4149Our Lady Help of Christians SchoolEarlville · Catholic Primary5-yr growth: -11%
- 4217White Rock State SchoolWhite Rock · Government Primary5-yr growth: -11%
- 4347Tropical North Learning Academy - Trinity Beach State SchoolTrinity Beach · Government Primary5-yr growth: -11%
- 4441St Therese's SchoolBentley Park · Catholic Primary5-yr growth: -12%
- 4535Atherton State High SchoolAtherton · Government Secondary5-yr growth: -12%
- 4620Isabella State SchoolEdmonton · Government Primary5-yr growth: -13%
- 4727Mossman State High SchoolMossman · Government Secondary5-yr growth: -13%
- 4863Freshwater State SchoolFreshwater · Government Primary5-yr growth: -14%
- 4938Mission Beach State SchoolWongaling Beach · Government Primary5-yr growth: -15%
- 5054Peace Lutheran CollegeKamerunga · Independent Combined5-yr growth: -16%
- 5115Mareeba State SchoolMareeba · Government Primary5-yr growth: -16%
- 5238Tolga State SchoolTolga · Government Primary5-yr growth: -17%
- 5330St Francis Xavier's SchoolManunda · Catholic Primary5-yr growth: -19%
- 5451St Andrew's Catholic College Redlynch ValleyRedlynch · Catholic Combined5-yr growth: -20%
- 5522Gordonvale State SchoolGordonvale · Government Primary5-yr growth: -20%
- 5612Gordonvale State High SchoolGordonvale · Government Secondary5-yr growth: -21%
- 5716Woree State SchoolWoree · Government Primary5-yr growth: -22%
- 5825Atherton State SchoolAtherton · Government Primary5-yr growth: -22%
- 5924Kuranda District State CollegeKuranda · Government Combined5-yr growth: -22%
- 6025Djarragun CollegeGordonvale · Independent Combined5-yr growth: -24%
- 6114Woree State High SchoolWoree · Government Secondary5-yr growth: -24%
- 6246Edge Hill State SchoolEdge Hill · Government Primary5-yr growth: -24%
- 6323Cairns West State SchoolManunda · Government Primary5-yr growth: -29%
- 6415Hambledon State SchoolEdmonton · Government Primary5-yr growth: -36%
| # | School | Sector | 5-yr growth | Success Index | ICSEA | Students | Students : teacher |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | MacKillop Catholic College, Mount Peter Mount Peter · Combined · Prep-12 | Catholic | +122% | 41.4 Lower 50% | 987 | 1,119 | 12.9 |
| 2 | Trinity Anglican School White Rock · Combined · Prep-12 | Independent | +79% | 66.4 Top 25% | 1103 | 1,204 | 12.9 |
| 3 | Parramatta State School Parramatta Park · Primary · Prep-6 | Government | +42% | 39.2 Lower 50% | 887 | 482 | 10.4 |
| 4 | Mossman State School Mossman · Primary · Prep-6 | Government | +23% | 26.4 Lower 50% | 879 | 321 | 13.6 |
| 5 | Jubilee Christian College Atherton · Combined · Prep-12 | Independent | +18% | 48.6 Top 50% | 1017 | 850 | 14.7 |
| 6 | Tully State School Tully · Primary · Prep-6 | Government | +16% | 31.3 Lower 50% | 885 | 268 | 10.2 |
| 7 | Good Counsel College Innisfail · Secondary · 7-12 | Catholic | +16% | 43.6 Lower 50% | 982 | 414 | 11.9 |
| 8 | Yungaburra State School Yungaburra · Primary · Prep-6 | Government | +13% | 57.1 Top 50% | 1025 | 217 | 14.1 |
| 9 | St Stephen's Catholic College Mareeba · Secondary · 7-12 | Catholic | +11% | 60.6 Top 50% | 1041 | 652 | 12.8 |
| 10 | St Joseph's School Atherton · Primary · Prep-6 | Catholic | +11% | 49.2 Top 50% | 1022 | 287 | 15.4 |
| 11 | Malanda State High School Malanda · Secondary · 7-12 | Government | +10% | 60.1 Top 50% | 994 | 538 | 10.4 |
| 12 | Good Counsel Primary School Innisfail · Primary · Prep-6 | Catholic | +9% | 47.3 Lower 50% | 1001 | 340 | 16.0 |
| 13 | Bentley Park College Bentley Park · Combined · Prep-12 | Government | +9% | 24.6 Lower 50% | 869 | 1,771 | 13.1 |
| 14 | Holy Cross School Trinity Park · Primary · Prep-6 | Catholic | +6% | 62.3 Top 50% | 1058 | 572 | 16.2 |
| 15 | Tully State High School Tully · Secondary · 7-12 | Government | +1% | 26.6 Lower 50% | 925 | 721 | 11.6 |
| 16 | St Monica's College Cairns · Secondary · 7-12 | Catholic | +0% | 64.7 Top 50% | 1058 | 697 | 12.3 |
| 17 | Ravenshoe State School Ravenshoe · Combined · Prep-12 | Government | +0% | 30.1 Lower 50% | 848 | 351 | 9.9 |
| 18 | Balaclava State School Mooroobool · Primary · Prep-6 | Government | +0% | 23.9 Lower 50% | 797 | 381 | 11.8 |
| 19 | Trinity Bay State High School Manunda · Secondary · 7-12 | Government | 0% | 25.7 Lower 50% | 908 | 1,784 | 12.4 |
| 20 | Freshwater Christian College Brinsmead · Combined · Prep-12 | Independent | -1% | 53.0 Top 50% | 1041 | 562 | 12.2 |
| 21 | Yorkeys Knob State School Yorkeys Knob · Primary · Prep-6 | Government | -1% | 44.9 Lower 50% | 998 | 321 | 15.1 |
| 22 | Caravonica State School Caravonica · Primary · Prep-6 | Government | -1% | 59.3 Top 50% | 1020 | 540 | 14.2 |
| 23 | St Gerard Majella Primary School Woree · Primary · Prep-6 | Catholic | -1% | 50.0 Top 50% | 1035 | 399 | 16.8 |
| 24 | St Augustine's College Cairns · Secondary · 7-12 | Catholic | -2% | 66.8 Top 25% | 1060 | 777 | 11.8 |
| 25 | St Thomas' School Mareeba · Primary · Prep-6 | Catholic | -2% | 44.4 Lower 50% | 1002 | 431 | 15.0 |
| 26 | Cairns State High School Cairns North · Secondary · 7-12 | Government | -2% | 51.1 Top 50% | 1019 | 1,636 | 13.2 |
| 27 | Mother of Good Counsel School Cairns North · Primary · Prep-6 | Catholic | -2% | 70.2 Top 25% | 1091 | 354 | 16.1 |
| 28 | Whitfield State School Whitfield · Primary · Prep-6 | Government | -3% | 39.9 Lower 50% | 974 | 774 | 15.8 |
| 29 | St Mary's Catholic College Woree · Secondary · 7-12 | Catholic | -3% | 52.6 Top 50% | 1023 | 949 | 12.1 |
| 30 | Malanda State School Malanda · Primary · Prep-6 | Government | -4% | 45.8 Lower 50% | 1001 | 410 | 15.0 |
| 31 | Innisfail State College Innisfail Estate · Combined · Prep-12 | Government | -4% | 27.9 Lower 50% | 889 | 951 | 10.6 |
| 32 | Port Douglas State School Port Douglas · Primary · Prep-6 | Government | -5% | 52.9 Top 50% | 1012 | 230 | 12.4 |
| 33 | Redlynch State College Redlynch · Combined · Prep-12 | Government | -6% | 40.1 Lower 50% | 1007 | 1,834 | 13.5 |
| 34 | St Michael's School Gordonvale · Primary · Prep-6 | Catholic | -6% | 44.9 Lower 50% | 993 | 279 | 14.1 |
| 35 | Yarrabah State School Yarrabah · Combined · Prep-10 | Government | -7% | 23.5 Lower 50% | 688 | 405 | 9.2 |
| 36 | Mareeba State High School Mareeba · Secondary · 7-12 | Government | -8% | 15.0 Lower 50% | 886 | 721 | 12.1 |
| 37 | Tropical North Learning Academy - Smithfield State High School Smithfield · Secondary · 7-12 | Government | -8% | 44.3 Lower 50% | 983 | 1,135 | 11.4 |
| 38 | Goondi State School Goondi Bend · Primary · Prep-6 | Government | -9% | 20.3 Lower 50% | 919 | 330 | 15.1 |
| 39 | St Joseph's School Parramatta Park · Primary · Prep-6 | Catholic | -9% | 48.6 Lower 50% | 1029 | 348 | 16.3 |
| 40 | Babinda State School Babinda · Combined · Prep-12 | Government | -10% | 30.4 Lower 50% | 931 | 280 | 11.7 |
| 41 | Our Lady Help of Christians School Earlville · Primary · Prep-6 | Catholic | -11% | 48.6 Lower 50% | 1025 | 506 | 15.4 |
| 42 | White Rock State School White Rock · Primary · Prep-6 | Government | -11% | 17.2 Lower 50% | 837 | 439 | 13.5 |
| 43 | Tropical North Learning Academy - Trinity Beach State School Trinity Beach · Primary · Prep-6 | Government | -11% | 46.8 Lower 50% | 996 | 899 | 14.4 |
| 44 | St Therese's School Bentley Park · Primary · Prep-6 | Catholic | -12% | 41.4 Lower 50% | 991 | 541 | 13.9 |
| 45 | Atherton State High School Atherton · Secondary · 7-12 | Government | -12% | 34.8 Lower 50% | 963 | 781 | 12.0 |
| 46 | Isabella State School Edmonton · Primary · Prep-6 | Government | -13% | 20.3 Lower 50% | 899 | 496 | 14.4 |
| 47 | Mossman State High School Mossman · Secondary · 7-12 | Government | -13% | 26.6 Lower 50% | 938 | 553 | 11.2 |
| 48 | Freshwater State School Freshwater · Primary · Prep-6 | Government | -14% | 62.5 Top 50% | 1064 | 594 | 14.8 |
| 49 | Mission Beach State School Wongaling Beach · Primary · Prep-6 | Government | -15% | 37.9 Lower 50% | 991 | 296 | 15.7 |
| 50 | Peace Lutheran College Kamerunga · Combined · Prep-12 | Independent | -16% | 53.8 Top 50% | 1054 | 544 | 11.6 |
| 51 | Mareeba State School Mareeba · Primary · Prep-6 | Government | -16% | 14.7 Lower 50% | 855 | 695 | 14.0 |
| 52 | Tolga State School Tolga · Primary · Prep-6 | Government | -17% | 38.3 Lower 50% | 981 | 269 | 13.7 |
| 53 | St Francis Xavier's School Manunda · Primary · Prep-6 | Catholic | -19% | 30.2 Lower 50% | 953 | 382 | 13.5 |
| 54 | St Andrew's Catholic College Redlynch Valley Redlynch · Combined · Prep-12 | Catholic | -20% | 50.7 Top 50% | 1067 | 1,373 | 13.6 |
| 55 | Gordonvale State School Gordonvale · Primary · Prep-6 | Government | -20% | 21.7 Lower 50% | 886 | 403 | 13.0 |
| 56 | Gordonvale State High School Gordonvale · Secondary · 7-12 | Government | -21% | 12.3 Lower 50% | 883 | 623 | 12.2 |
| 57 | Woree State School Woree · Primary · Prep-6 | Government | -22% | 15.6 Lower 50% | 860 | 530 | 14.8 |
| 58 | Atherton State School Atherton · Primary · Prep-6 | Government | -22% | 25.2 Lower 50% | 903 | 331 | 11.3 |
| 59 | Kuranda District State College Kuranda · Combined · Prep-12 | Government | -22% | 23.6 Lower 50% | 862 | 285 | 10.4 |
| 60 | Djarragun College Gordonvale · Combined · Prep-12 | Independent | -24% | 24.8 Lower 50% | 683 | 259 | 8.4 |
| 61 | Woree State High School Woree · Secondary · 7-12 | Government | -24% | 14.0 Lower 50% | 854 | 750 | 11.0 |
| 62 | Edge Hill State School Edge Hill · Primary · Prep-6 | Government | -24% | 46.2 Lower 50% | 1016 | 864 | 15.7 |
| 63 | Cairns West State School Manunda · Primary · Prep-6 | Government | -29% | 22.5 Lower 50% | 784 | 481 | 11.5 |
| 64 | Hambledon State School Edmonton · Primary · Prep-6 | Government | -36% | 15.3 Lower 50% | 865 | 378 | 12.5 |
There are 64 fastest-growing schools in Cairns eligible for this list; the top 64 are shown. MacKillop Catholic College, Mount Peter in Mount Peter is ranked first (5-yr growth: +122%). 41 of the top 64 are government schools and 23 are Catholic or independent; the median ICSEA across the list is 985.
The top 10 fastest-growing schools in Cairns for 2025 are: 1. MacKillop Catholic College, Mount Peter (Mount Peter); 2. Trinity Anglican School (White Rock); 3. Parramatta State School (Parramatta Park); 4. Mossman State School (Mossman); 5. Jubilee Christian College (Atherton); 6. Tully State School (Tully); 7. Good Counsel College (Innisfail); 8. Yungaburra State School (Yungaburra); 9. St Stephen's Catholic College (Mareeba); 10. St Joseph's School (Atherton).
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Frequently asked questions
What is the best fastest growing school in Cairns?
MacKillop Catholic College, Mount Peter in Mount Peter ranks first among fastest-growing schools in Cairns with a Success Index of 41.4 out of 100 and an ICSEA of 987.
How are fastest-growing schools in Cairns ranked?
Established schools (100+ students five years ago, 200+ today) whose enrolments have grown the most over the past five years, a strong signal of parent demand. Only schools eligible for the Success Index (ICSEA published, 80+ students, not a special school) are included; the Success Index is shown alongside for context.
How many public schools are in the top 100 fastest-growing schools in Cairns?
41 of the top 64 fastest-growing schools in Cairns are government schools; 23 are Catholic or independent.
Do these rankings include NAPLAN or ATAR results?
Not yet. ACARA does not publish school-level NAPLAN results in bulk, and ATAR results are released by state authorities in different formats. The Success Index uses the measures ACARA publishes for every school so that all schools are compared on identical data. Where a school publishes its own results we link to its website.