Cabbage Tree Island Public School vs Rous Public School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in New South Wales, 9.9 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Cabbage Tree Island Public School
Cabbage Tree Island · Government primary · K-6
21 students · ICSEA 694
Rous Public School
Alstonville · Government primary · K-6
85 students · ICSEA 1031
| Measure | Cabbage Tree Island Public School Cabbage Tree Island NSW | Rous Public School Alstonville NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 19 Lower 50% | 57 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | – | #726 of 1,619 |
| National rank (type) | – | #2208 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | K-6 | K-6 |
| Students | 21 | 85 |
| Girls / boys | 10 / 11 | 37 / 48 |
| Foundation intake | 2 | 10 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -45% | -7% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 694 | 1031 |
| ICSEA percentile | 1th | 60th |
| Top SEA quarter | 1% | 20% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 88% | 24% |
| Students per teacher | 5.4 | 16.7 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 3.9 | 5.1 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 1.9 | 1.5 |
| Language background other than English | 10% | 13% |
| Indigenous students | 100% | 4% |
| Suburb | Cabbage Tree Island 2477 | Alstonville 2477 |
| Council area | Ballina | Ballina |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | cabbagetre-p.schools.nsw.gov.au | rous-p.schools.nsw.gov.au |
The verdict
- •Rous Public School scores higher on the Success Index (56.6 vs 19.2).
- •Rous Public School has the higher ICSEA (1031 vs 694), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Cabbage Tree Island Public School has fewer students per teacher (5.4 vs 16.7).
- •Rous Public School is the larger school with 85 students compared with 21.
- •Rous Public School has grown faster over five years (-7% vs -45%).
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 Cabbage Tree Island Public School better than Rous Public School?
On the Success Index, Rous Public School ranks higher (56.6 vs 19.2 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 Cabbage Tree Island Public School and Rous Public School?
About 9.9 km in a straight line, between Cabbage Tree Island and Alstonville in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Cabbage Tree Island Public School has 5.4 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Rous Public School has 16.7.
How do Cabbage Tree Island Public School and Rous Public School rank in NSW?
Cabbage Tree Island Public School is unranked and Rous Public School is 726th of 1,619 among primary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.