Cabbage Tree Island Public School vs Wardell Public School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in New South Wales, 1.0 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
Wardell Public School
Wardell · Government primary · K-6
24 students · ICSEA 952
| Measure | Cabbage Tree Island Public School Cabbage Tree Island NSW | Wardell Public School Wardell NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 19 Lower 50% | 38 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | – | – |
| National rank (type) | – | – |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | K-6 | K-6 |
| Students | 21 | 24 |
| Girls / boys | 10 / 11 | 8 / 16 |
| Foundation intake | 2 | 6 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -45% | -17% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 694 | 952 |
| ICSEA percentile | 1th | 26th |
| Top SEA quarter | 1% | 12% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 88% | 43% |
| Students per teacher | 5.4 | 8.3 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 3.9 | 2.9 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 1.9 | 0.9 |
| Language background other than English | 10% | 4% |
| Indigenous students | 100% | 25% |
| Suburb | Cabbage Tree Island 2477 | Wardell 2477 |
| Council area | Ballina | Ballina |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | cabbagetre-p.schools.nsw.gov.au | wardell-p.schools.nsw.gov.au |
The verdict
- •Wardell Public School scores higher on the Success Index (37.9 vs 19.2).
- •Wardell Public School has the higher ICSEA (952 vs 694), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Cabbage Tree Island Public School has fewer students per teacher (5.4 vs 8.3).
- •Wardell Public School is the larger school with 24 students compared with 21.
- •Wardell Public School has grown faster over five years (-17% 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 Wardell Public School?
On the Success Index, Wardell Public School ranks higher (37.9 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 Wardell Public School?
About 1.0 km in a straight line, between Cabbage Tree Island and Wardell 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 Wardell Public School has 8.3.
How do Cabbage Tree Island Public School and Wardell Public School rank in NSW?
Cabbage Tree Island Public School is unranked and Wardell Public School is unranked among primary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.