Caldera School vs Pacific Coast Christian School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 2.1 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Caldera School
Tweed Heads South · Government special · U
24 students · ICSEA 936
Pacific Coast Christian School
Tweed Heads South · Independent combined · K-12
999 students · ICSEA 1027
| Measure | Caldera School Tweed Heads South NSW | Pacific Coast Christian School Tweed Heads South NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | – Not rated | 52 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | – | #193 of 314 |
| National rank (type) | – | #612 of 1,259 |
| Sector | Government | Independent |
| Type | Special | Combined |
| Year range | U | K-12 |
| Students | 24 | 999 |
| Girls / boys | 7 / 17 | 574 / 425 |
| Foundation intake | – | 44 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | 111 |
| Year 12 cohort | – | 51 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -8% | +178% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 936 | 1027 |
| ICSEA percentile | 20th | 58th |
| Top SEA quarter | 10% | 16% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 45% | 20% |
| Students per teacher | 2.9 | 16.0 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 8.2 | 62.2 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 9.0 | 35.8 |
| Language background other than English | 4% | 17% |
| Indigenous students | 33% | 8% |
| Suburb | Tweed Heads South 2486 | Tweed Heads South 2486 |
| Council area | Tweed | Tweed |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | caldera-s.schools.nsw.gov.au | www.pacificcoast.nsw.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Pacific Coast Christian School has the higher ICSEA (1027 vs 936), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Caldera School has fewer students per teacher (2.9 vs 16.0).
- •Pacific Coast Christian School is the larger school with 999 students compared with 24.
- •Pacific Coast Christian School has grown faster over five years (178% vs -8%).
- •Caldera School is a government school while Pacific Coast Christian 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.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Caldera School better than Pacific Coast Christian 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 Caldera School and Pacific Coast Christian School?
About 2.1 km in a straight line, between Tweed Heads South and Tweed Heads South in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Caldera School has 2.9 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Pacific Coast Christian School has 16.0.
How do Caldera School and Pacific Coast Christian School rank in NSW?
Caldera School is unranked and Pacific Coast Christian School is 193rd of 314 among special schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.