Ballina Coast High School vs Southern Cross School of Distance Education
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 2.7 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
Southern Cross School of Distance Education
East Ballina · Government combined · K-12
79 students · ICSEA 896
| Measure | Ballina Coast High School Ballina NSW | Southern Cross School of Distance Education East Ballina NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 39 Lower 50% | 31 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #344 of 539 | – |
| National rank (type) | #977 of 1,472 | – |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Secondary | Combined |
| Year range | 7-12 | K-12 |
| Students | 722 | 79 |
| Girls / boys | 309 / 413 | 43 / 36 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | 97 | 8 |
| Year 12 cohort | 119 | 22 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -24% | -85% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 952 | 896 |
| ICSEA percentile | 26th | 10th |
| Top SEA quarter | 9% | 8% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 43% | 57% |
| Students per teacher | 10.6 | 1.5 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 67.9 | 50.8 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 19.3 | 11.2 |
| Language background other than English | 8% | 13% |
| Indigenous students | 19% | 33% |
| Suburb | Ballina 2478 | East Ballina 2478 |
| Council area | Ballina | Ballina |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | ballina-h.schools.nsw.gov.au | sthcrossc-d.schools.nsw.gov.au |
The verdict
- •Ballina Coast High School scores higher on the Success Index (39.0 vs 31.0).
- •Ballina Coast High School has the higher ICSEA (952 vs 896), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Southern Cross School of Distance Education has fewer students per teacher (1.5 vs 10.6).
- •Ballina Coast High School is the larger school with 722 students compared with 79.
- •Ballina Coast High School has grown faster over five years (-24% vs -85%).
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 Southern Cross School of Distance Education?
On the Success Index, Ballina Coast High School ranks higher (39.0 vs 31.0 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 Southern Cross School of Distance Education?
About 2.7 km in a straight line, between Ballina and East 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 Southern Cross School of Distance Education has 1.5.
How do Ballina Coast High School and Southern Cross School of Distance Education rank in NSW?
Ballina Coast High School is 344th of 539 and Southern Cross School of Distance Education is unranked among secondary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.