Barrenjoey High School vs Macquarie Fields High School
A head-to-head comparison of two secondary schools in New South Wales, 58 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Barrenjoey High School
Avalon Beach · Government high school · 7-12
865 students · ICSEA 1081
Macquarie Fields High School
Macquarie Fields · Government high school · 7-12
1,091 students · ICSEA 1081
| Measure | Barrenjoey High School Avalon Beach NSW | Macquarie Fields High School Macquarie Fields NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 70 Top 25% | 71 Top 25% |
| State rank (type) | #115 of 539 | #105 of 539 |
| National rank (type) | #295 of 1,472 | #277 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Secondary | Secondary |
| Year range | 7-12 | 7-12 |
| Students | 865 | 1,091 |
| Girls / boys | 408 / 457 | 528 / 563 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | 145 | 176 |
| Year 12 cohort | 129 | 174 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +7% | -2% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1081 | 1081 |
| ICSEA percentile | 79th | 79th |
| Top SEA quarter | 31% | 34% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 9% | 13% |
| Students per teacher | 13.7 | 13.6 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 62.7 | 79.8 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 14.5 | 18.6 |
| Language background other than English | 13% | 87% |
| Indigenous students | 0% | 1% |
| Suburb | Avalon Beach 2107 | Macquarie Fields 2564 |
| Council area | Northern Beaches | Campbelltown (NSW) |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | barrenjoey-h.schools.nsw.gov.au | macfields-h.schools.nsw.gov.au |
The verdict
- •Both schools have almost identical Success Index scores (69.6 vs 70.5).
- •Macquarie Fields High School is the larger school with 1,091 students compared with 865.
- •Barrenjoey High School has grown faster over five years (7% vs -2%).
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 Barrenjoey High School better than Macquarie Fields High 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 Barrenjoey High School and Macquarie Fields High School?
About 58 km in a straight line, between Avalon Beach and Macquarie Fields in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Barrenjoey High School has 13.7 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Macquarie Fields High School has 13.6.
How do Barrenjoey High School and Macquarie Fields High School rank in NSW?
Barrenjoey High School is 115th of 539 and Macquarie Fields High School is 105th of 539 among secondary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.