Blue Mountains Grammar School vs Katoomba High School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 5.6 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Blue Mountains Grammar School
Wentworth Falls · Independent combined · K-12
512 students · ICSEA 1140
Katoomba High School
Katoomba · Government high school · 7-12
862 students · ICSEA 1034
| Measure | Blue Mountains Grammar School Wentworth Falls NSW | Katoomba High School Katoomba NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 77 Top 25% | 67 Top 25% |
| State rank (type) | #58 of 314 | #144 of 539 |
| National rank (type) | #161 of 1,259 | #354 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Independent | Government |
| Type | Combined | Secondary |
| Year range | K-12 | 7-12 |
| Students | 512 | 862 |
| Girls / boys | 244 / 268 | 418 / 444 |
| Foundation intake | 20 | – |
| Year 7 cohort | 56 | 149 |
| Year 12 cohort | 50 | 114 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | 0% | -4% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1140 | 1034 |
| ICSEA percentile | 93th | 61th |
| Top SEA quarter | 57% | 23% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 3% | 22% |
| Students per teacher | 10.2 | 10.9 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 50.3 | 79.0 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 25.5 | 22.4 |
| Language background other than English | 17% | 15% |
| Indigenous students | 1% | 8% |
| Suburb | Wentworth Falls 2782 | Katoomba 2780 |
| Council area | Blue Mountains | Blue Mountains |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.bmgs.nsw.edu.au | katoomba-h.schools.nsw.gov.au |
The verdict
- •Blue Mountains Grammar School scores higher on the Success Index (76.7 vs 67.1).
- •Blue Mountains Grammar School has the higher ICSEA (1140 vs 1034), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Blue Mountains Grammar School has fewer students per teacher (10.2 vs 10.9).
- •Katoomba High School is the larger school with 862 students compared with 512.
- •Blue Mountains Grammar School is a independent school while Katoomba High School is a government 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 Blue Mountains Grammar School better than Katoomba High School?
On the Success Index, Blue Mountains Grammar School ranks higher (76.7 vs 67.1 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 Blue Mountains Grammar School and Katoomba High School?
About 5.6 km in a straight line, between Wentworth Falls and Katoomba in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Blue Mountains Grammar School has 10.2 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Katoomba High School has 10.9.
How do Blue Mountains Grammar School and Katoomba High School rank in NSW?
Blue Mountains Grammar School is 58th of 314 and Katoomba High School is 144th of 539 among combined schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.