Cardiff High School vs Garden Suburb Public School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 1.2 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Cardiff High School
Cardiff · Government high school · 7-12
778 students · ICSEA 986
Garden Suburb Public School
Garden Suburb · Government primary · K-6
227 students · ICSEA 1045
| Measure | Cardiff High School Cardiff NSW | Garden Suburb Public School Garden Suburb NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 52 Top 50% | 66 Top 25% |
| State rank (type) | #261 of 539 | #458 of 1,619 |
| National rank (type) | #687 of 1,472 | #1372 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Secondary | Primary |
| Year range | 7-12 | K-6 |
| Students | 778 | 227 |
| Girls / boys | 367 / 411 | 103 / 124 |
| Foundation intake | – | 27 |
| Year 7 cohort | 146 | – |
| Year 12 cohort | 92 | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +10% | +9% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 986 | 1045 |
| ICSEA percentile | 40th | 66th |
| Top SEA quarter | 11% | 29% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 33% | 17% |
| Students per teacher | 11.7 | 13.6 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 66.1 | 16.7 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 19.1 | 5.4 |
| Language background other than English | 9% | 12% |
| Indigenous students | 16% | 13% |
| Suburb | Cardiff 2285 | Garden Suburb 2289 |
| Council area | Lake Macquarie | Lake Macquarie |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | cardiff-h.schools.nsw.gov.au | gardensub-p.schools.nsw.gov.au |
The verdict
- •Garden Suburb Public School scores higher on the Success Index (66.0 vs 52.2).
- •Garden Suburb Public School has the higher ICSEA (1045 vs 986), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Cardiff High School has fewer students per teacher (11.7 vs 13.6).
- •Cardiff High School is the larger school with 778 students compared with 227.
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 Cardiff High School better than Garden Suburb Public School?
On the Success Index, Garden Suburb Public School ranks higher (66.0 vs 52.2 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 Cardiff High School and Garden Suburb Public School?
About 1.2 km in a straight line, between Cardiff and Garden Suburb in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Cardiff High School has 11.7 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Garden Suburb Public School has 13.6.
How do Cardiff High School and Garden Suburb Public School rank in NSW?
Cardiff High School is 261st of 539 and Garden Suburb Public School is 458th of 1,619 among secondary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.