Cedars Christian College vs Illawarra Christian School
A head-to-head comparison of two combined schools in New South Wales, 1.3 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Cedars Christian College
Unanderra · Independent combined · K-12
661 students · ICSEA 1067
Illawarra Christian School
Cordeaux Heights · Independent combined · K-12
800 students · ICSEA 1091
| Measure | Cedars Christian College Unanderra NSW | Illawarra Christian School Cordeaux Heights NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 56 Top 50% | 61 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #168 of 314 | #137 of 314 |
| National rank (type) | #538 of 1,259 | #447 of 1,259 |
| Sector | Independent | Independent |
| Type | Combined | Combined |
| Year range | K-12 | K-12 |
| Students | 661 | 800 |
| Girls / boys | 345 / 316 | 428 / 372 |
| Foundation intake | 61 | 48 |
| Year 7 cohort | 51 | 81 |
| Year 12 cohort | 39 | 64 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +5% | +30% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1067 | 1091 |
| ICSEA percentile | 74th | 82th |
| Top SEA quarter | 29% | 37% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 13% | 6% |
| Students per teacher | 12.0 | 13.6 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 55.2 | 58.8 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 33.0 | 35.5 |
| Language background other than English | 13% | 30% |
| Indigenous students | 2% | 2% |
| Suburb | Unanderra 2526 | Cordeaux Heights 2526 |
| Council area | Wollongong | Wollongong |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.cedars.nsw.edu.au | www.ics.nsw.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Illawarra Christian School scores higher on the Success Index (60.9 vs 55.6).
- •Illawarra Christian School has the higher ICSEA (1091 vs 1067), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Cedars Christian College has fewer students per teacher (12.0 vs 13.6).
- •Illawarra Christian School is the larger school with 800 students compared with 661.
- •Illawarra Christian School has grown faster over five years (30% vs 5%).
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 Cedars Christian College better than Illawarra Christian School?
On the Success Index, Illawarra Christian School ranks higher (60.9 vs 55.6 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 Cedars Christian College and Illawarra Christian School?
About 1.3 km in a straight line, between Unanderra and Cordeaux Heights in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Cedars Christian College has 12.0 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Illawarra Christian School has 13.6.
How do Cedars Christian College and Illawarra Christian School rank in NSW?
Cedars Christian College is 168th of 314 and Illawarra Christian School is 137th of 314 among combined schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.