Alesco Secondary College vs Elouera Special School
A head-to-head comparison of two special schools in New South Wales, 387 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Alesco Secondary College
Cooks Hill · Independent special · 9-12
664 students · ICSEA 949
Elouera Special School
Cootamundra · Independent special · U
28 students · ICSEA 943
| Measure | Alesco Secondary College Cooks Hill NSW | Elouera Special School Cootamundra NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | – Not rated | – Not rated |
| State rank (type) | – | – |
| National rank (type) | – | – |
| Sector | Independent | Independent |
| Type | Special | Special |
| Year range | 9-12 | U |
| Students | 664 | 28 |
| Girls / boys | 461 / 203 | 12 / 16 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | 91 | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +66% | -3% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 949 | 943 |
| ICSEA percentile | 24th | 22th |
| Top SEA quarter | 8% | 8% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 49% | 58% |
| Students per teacher | 10.5 | 4.0 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 63.2 | 7.0 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 42.6 | 6.0 |
| Language background other than English | 0% | 15% |
| Indigenous students | 19% | 11% |
| Suburb | Cooks Hill 2300 | Cootamundra 2590 |
| Council area | Newcastle | Cootamundra-Gundagai |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Inner Regional |
| Website | atwea.edu.au/high-school-at-alesco/ | www.elouera-association.com |
The verdict
- •Alesco Secondary College has the higher ICSEA (949 vs 943), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Elouera Special School has fewer students per teacher (4.0 vs 10.5).
- •Alesco Secondary College is the larger school with 664 students compared with 28.
- •Alesco Secondary College has grown faster over five years (66% vs -3%).
The Success Index summarises community advantage, resourcing and momentum from ACARA data. It does not measure teaching quality, results or fit. Methodology.
Free academic assessment
Torn between two schools? Start with your child.
Whichever you choose, a free Success Tutoring assessment shows exactly where your child is in English and Maths and how to get ahead before the next school year.
- Personalised learning plan mapped to the Australian Curriculum
- English & Maths from Kindergarten to Year 12
- Flexible memberships, no lock-in contracts
- Your nearest centre: Success Tutoring Belmont
Frequently asked questions
Is Alesco Secondary College better than Elouera 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 Alesco Secondary College and Elouera Special School?
About 387 km in a straight line, between Cooks Hill and Cootamundra in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Alesco Secondary College has 10.5 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Elouera Special School has 4.0.
How do Alesco Secondary College and Elouera Special School rank in NSW?
Alesco Secondary College is unranked and Elouera Special School is unranked among special schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.