Ballina Coast High School vs Biala Special School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 637 m apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Ballina Coast High School
Ballina · Government high school · 7-12
722 students · ICSEA 952
Biala Special School
Ballina · Independent special · U
33 students · ICSEA 898
| Measure | Ballina Coast High School Ballina NSW | Biala Special School Ballina NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 39 Lower 50% | – Not rated |
| State rank (type) | #344 of 539 | – |
| National rank (type) | #977 of 1,472 | – |
| Sector | Government | Independent |
| Type | Secondary | Special |
| Year range | 7-12 | U |
| Students | 722 | 33 |
| Girls / boys | 309 / 413 | 11 / 22 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | 97 | – |
| Year 12 cohort | 119 | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -24% | +14% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 952 | 898 |
| ICSEA percentile | 26th | 10th |
| Top SEA quarter | 9% | 10% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 43% | 54% |
| Students per teacher | 10.6 | 4.9 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 67.9 | 6.7 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 19.3 | 10.3 |
| Language background other than English | 8% | 9% |
| Indigenous students | 19% | 36% |
| Suburb | Ballina 2478 | Ballina 2478 |
| Council area | Ballina | Ballina |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | ballina-h.schools.nsw.gov.au | www.biala.org.au |
The verdict
- •Ballina Coast High School has the higher ICSEA (952 vs 898), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Biala Special School has fewer students per teacher (4.9 vs 10.6).
- •Ballina Coast High School is the larger school with 722 students compared with 33.
- •Biala Special School has grown faster over five years (14% vs -24%).
- •Ballina Coast High School is a government school while Biala Special School 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 Ballina Coast High School better than Biala 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 Ballina Coast High School and Biala Special School?
About 637 m in a straight line, between Ballina and Ballina in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Ballina Coast High School has 10.6 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Biala Special School has 4.9.
How do Ballina Coast High School and Biala Special School rank in NSW?
Ballina Coast High School is 344th of 539 and Biala Special School is unranked among secondary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.