Cardiff High School vs Hillsborough Public School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 1.3 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
Hillsborough Public School
Charlestown · Government primary · K-6
164 students · ICSEA 1020
| Measure | Cardiff High School Cardiff NSW | Hillsborough Public School Charlestown NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 52 Top 50% | 50 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #261 of 539 | #872 of 1,619 |
| National rank (type) | #687 of 1,472 | #2667 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Secondary | Primary |
| Year range | 7-12 | K-6 |
| Students | 778 | 164 |
| Girls / boys | 367 / 411 | 75 / 89 |
| Foundation intake | – | 29 |
| Year 7 cohort | 146 | – |
| Year 12 cohort | 92 | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +10% | -33% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 986 | 1020 |
| ICSEA percentile | 40th | 56th |
| Top SEA quarter | 11% | 21% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 33% | 23% |
| Students per teacher | 11.7 | 15.2 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 66.1 | 10.8 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 19.1 | 2.0 |
| Language background other than English | 9% | 19% |
| Indigenous students | 16% | 14% |
| Suburb | Cardiff 2285 | Charlestown 2290 |
| Council area | Lake Macquarie | Lake Macquarie |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | cardiff-h.schools.nsw.gov.au | hillsboro-p.schools.nsw.gov.au |
The verdict
- •Cardiff High School scores higher on the Success Index (52.2 vs 50.2).
- •Hillsborough Public School has the higher ICSEA (1020 vs 986), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Cardiff High School has fewer students per teacher (11.7 vs 15.2).
- •Cardiff High School is the larger school with 778 students compared with 164.
- •Cardiff High School has grown faster over five years (10% vs -33%).
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 Hillsborough Public School?
On the Success Index, Cardiff High School ranks higher (52.2 vs 50.2 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 Hillsborough Public School?
About 1.3 km in a straight line, between Cardiff and Charlestown 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 Hillsborough Public School has 15.2.
How do Cardiff High School and Hillsborough Public School rank in NSW?
Cardiff High School is 261st of 539 and Hillsborough Public School is 872nd of 1,619 among secondary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.