Byron Bay High School vs Cape Byron Rudolf Steiner School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 5.0 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Byron Bay High School
Byron Bay · Government high school · 7-12
820 students · ICSEA 1050
Cape Byron Rudolf Steiner School
Byron Bay · Independent combined · K-12
382 students · ICSEA 1097
| Measure | Byron Bay High School Byron Bay NSW | Cape Byron Rudolf Steiner School Byron Bay NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 62 Top 50% | 68 Top 25% |
| State rank (type) | #188 of 539 | #104 of 314 |
| National rank (type) | #469 of 1,472 | #310 of 1,259 |
| Sector | Government | Independent |
| Type | Secondary | Combined |
| Year range | 7-12 | K-12 |
| Students | 820 | 382 |
| Girls / boys | 419 / 401 | 210 / 172 |
| Foundation intake | – | 27 |
| Year 7 cohort | 175 | 31 |
| Year 12 cohort | 98 | 35 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +14% | +3% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1050 | 1097 |
| ICSEA percentile | 68th | 83th |
| Top SEA quarter | 21% | 38% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 14% | 7% |
| Students per teacher | 14.4 | 12.6 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 56.6 | 30.4 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 12.1 | 23.5 |
| Language background other than English | 18% | 12% |
| Indigenous students | 5% | 1% |
| Suburb | Byron Bay 2481 | Byron Bay 2481 |
| Council area | Byron | Byron |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | byronbay-h.schools.nsw.gov.au | www.capebyronsteiner.nsw.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Cape Byron Rudolf Steiner School scores higher on the Success Index (67.6 vs 61.9).
- •Cape Byron Rudolf Steiner School has the higher ICSEA (1097 vs 1050), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Cape Byron Rudolf Steiner School has fewer students per teacher (12.6 vs 14.4).
- •Byron Bay High School is the larger school with 820 students compared with 382.
- •Byron Bay High School has grown faster over five years (14% vs 3%).
- •Byron Bay High School is a government school while Cape Byron Rudolf Steiner 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.
Free academic assessment
Torn between two schools? Start with your child.
Whichever you choose, a free Success Tutoring assessment shows exactly where your child is in English and Maths and how to get ahead before the next school year.
- Personalised learning plan mapped to the Australian Curriculum
- English & Maths from Kindergarten to Year 12
- Flexible memberships, no lock-in contracts
- Your nearest centre: Success Tutoring Mount Gravatt East
Frequently asked questions
Is Byron Bay High School better than Cape Byron Rudolf Steiner School?
On the Success Index, Cape Byron Rudolf Steiner School ranks higher (67.6 vs 61.9 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 Byron Bay High School and Cape Byron Rudolf Steiner School?
About 5.0 km in a straight line, between Byron Bay and Byron Bay in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Byron Bay High School has 14.4 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Cape Byron Rudolf Steiner School has 12.6.
How do Byron Bay High School and Cape Byron Rudolf Steiner School rank in NSW?
Byron Bay High School is 188th of 539 and Cape Byron Rudolf Steiner School is 104th of 314 among secondary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.