Ballina Coast High School vs Holy Family Catholic Primary School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 5.5 km 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
Holy Family Catholic Primary School
Skennars Head · Catholic primary · K-6
446 students · ICSEA 1102
| Measure | Ballina Coast High School Ballina NSW | Holy Family Catholic Primary School Skennars Head NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 39 Lower 50% | 69 Top 25% |
| State rank (type) | #344 of 539 | #350 of 1,619 |
| National rank (type) | #977 of 1,472 | #1138 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Secondary | Primary |
| Year range | 7-12 | K-6 |
| Students | 722 | 446 |
| Girls / boys | 309 / 413 | 192 / 254 |
| Foundation intake | – | 86 |
| Year 7 cohort | 97 | – |
| Year 12 cohort | 119 | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -24% | +7% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 952 | 1102 |
| ICSEA percentile | 26th | 85th |
| Top SEA quarter | 9% | 39% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 43% | 4% |
| Students per teacher | 10.6 | 18.6 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 67.9 | 24.0 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 19.3 | 11.9 |
| Language background other than English | 8% | 3% |
| Indigenous students | 19% | 3% |
| Suburb | Ballina 2478 | Skennars Head 2478 |
| Council area | Ballina | Ballina |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | ballina-h.schools.nsw.gov.au | www.skhplism.catholic.edu.au/ |
The verdict
- •Holy Family Catholic Primary School scores higher on the Success Index (68.7 vs 39.0).
- •Holy Family Catholic Primary School has the higher ICSEA (1102 vs 952), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Ballina Coast High School has fewer students per teacher (10.6 vs 18.6).
- •Ballina Coast High School is the larger school with 722 students compared with 446.
- •Holy Family Catholic Primary School has grown faster over five years (7% vs -24%).
- •Ballina Coast High School is a government school while Holy Family Catholic Primary School is a catholic 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 Holy Family Catholic Primary School?
On the Success Index, Holy Family Catholic Primary School ranks higher (68.7 vs 39.0 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 Ballina Coast High School and Holy Family Catholic Primary School?
About 5.5 km in a straight line, between Ballina and Skennars Head 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 Holy Family Catholic Primary School has 18.6.
How do Ballina Coast High School and Holy Family Catholic Primary School rank in NSW?
Ballina Coast High School is 344th of 539 and Holy Family Catholic Primary School is 350th of 1,619 among secondary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.