Alstonville High School vs Blue Hills College
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 7.9 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Alstonville High School
Alstonville · Government high school · 7-12
522 students · ICSEA 990
Blue Hills College
Goonellabah · Independent combined · K-12
201 students · ICSEA 999
| Measure | Alstonville High School Alstonville NSW | Blue Hills College Goonellabah NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 47 Lower 50% | 40 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #294 of 539 | #247 of 314 |
| National rank (type) | #791 of 1,472 | #870 of 1,259 |
| Sector | Government | Independent |
| Type | Secondary | Combined |
| Year range | 7-12 | K-12 |
| Students | 522 | 201 |
| Girls / boys | 255 / 267 | 92 / 109 |
| Foundation intake | – | 25 |
| Year 7 cohort | 89 | 18 |
| Year 12 cohort | 49 | 3 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -25% | +1% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 990 | 999 |
| ICSEA percentile | 42th | 46th |
| Top SEA quarter | 13% | 10% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 38% | 32% |
| Students per teacher | 10.5 | 11.1 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 49.5 | 18.0 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 12.7 | 11.6 |
| Language background other than English | 6% | 25% |
| Indigenous students | 8% | 6% |
| Suburb | Alstonville 2477 | Goonellabah 2480 |
| Council area | Ballina | Lismore |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | alstonvill-h.schools.nsw.gov.au | www.bluehills.nsw.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Alstonville High School scores higher on the Success Index (47.3 vs 39.5).
- •Blue Hills College has the higher ICSEA (999 vs 990), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Alstonville High School has fewer students per teacher (10.5 vs 11.1).
- •Alstonville High School is the larger school with 522 students compared with 201.
- •Blue Hills College has grown faster over five years (1% vs -25%).
- •Alstonville High School is a government school while Blue Hills College is an independent 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 Alstonville High School better than Blue Hills College?
On the Success Index, Alstonville High School ranks higher (47.3 vs 39.5 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 Alstonville High School and Blue Hills College?
About 7.9 km in a straight line, between Alstonville and Goonellabah in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Alstonville High School has 10.5 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Blue Hills College has 11.1.
How do Alstonville High School and Blue Hills College rank in NSW?
Alstonville High School is 294th of 539 and Blue Hills College is 247th of 314 among secondary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.