Cardiff High School vs Warners Bay High School
A head-to-head comparison of two secondary schools in New South Wales, 2.4 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
Warners Bay High School
Warners Bay · Government high school · 7-12
1,161 students · ICSEA 1056
| Measure | Cardiff High School Cardiff NSW | Warners Bay High School Warners Bay NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 52 Top 50% | 62 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #261 of 539 | #186 of 539 |
| National rank (type) | #687 of 1,472 | #465 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Secondary | Secondary |
| Year range | 7-12 | 7-12 |
| Students | 778 | 1,161 |
| Girls / boys | 367 / 411 | 543 / 618 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | 146 | 188 |
| Year 12 cohort | 92 | 154 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +10% | -11% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 986 | 1056 |
| ICSEA percentile | 40th | 70th |
| Top SEA quarter | 11% | 25% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 33% | 16% |
| Students per teacher | 11.7 | 14.0 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 66.1 | 82.6 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 19.1 | 17.4 |
| Language background other than English | 9% | 7% |
| Indigenous students | 16% | 4% |
| Suburb | Cardiff 2285 | Warners Bay 2282 |
| Council area | Lake Macquarie | Lake Macquarie |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | cardiff-h.schools.nsw.gov.au | warnersbay-h.schools.nsw.gov.au |
The verdict
- •Warners Bay High School scores higher on the Success Index (62.1 vs 52.2).
- •Warners Bay High School has the higher ICSEA (1056 vs 986), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Cardiff High School has fewer students per teacher (11.7 vs 14.0).
- •Warners Bay High School is the larger school with 1,161 students compared with 778.
- •Cardiff High School has grown faster over five years (10% vs -11%).
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 Warners Bay High School?
On the Success Index, Warners Bay High School ranks higher (62.1 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 Warners Bay High School?
About 2.4 km in a straight line, between Cardiff and Warners Bay 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 Warners Bay High School has 14.0.
How do Cardiff High School and Warners Bay High School rank in NSW?
Cardiff High School is 261st of 539 and Warners Bay High School is 186th of 539 among secondary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.