Cessnock High School vs Nambucca Heads High School
A head-to-head comparison of two secondary schools in New South Wales, 289 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Cessnock High School
Cessnock · Government high school · 7-12
616 students · ICSEA 892
Nambucca Heads High School
Nambucca Heads · Government high school · 7-12
314 students · ICSEA 890
| Measure | Cessnock High School Cessnock NSW | Nambucca Heads High School Nambucca Heads NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 31 Lower 50% | 21 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #418 of 539 | #510 of 539 |
| National rank (type) | #1154 of 1,472 | #1390 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Secondary | Secondary |
| Year range | 7-12 | 7-12 |
| Students | 616 | 314 |
| Girls / boys | 307 / 309 | 153 / 161 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | 127 | 57 |
| Year 12 cohort | 49 | 33 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +2% | -28% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 892 | 890 |
| ICSEA percentile | 9th | 9th |
| Top SEA quarter | 1% | 4% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 69% | 60% |
| Students per teacher | 9.6 | 7.6 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 64.2 | 41.3 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 20.5 | 14.0 |
| Language background other than English | 2% | 9% |
| Indigenous students | 24% | 32% |
| Suburb | Cessnock 2325 | Nambucca Heads 2448 |
| Council area | Cessnock | Nambucca Valley |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Inner Regional |
| Website | cessnock-h.schools.nsw.gov.au | nambuccahd-h.schools.nsw.gov.au |
The verdict
- •Cessnock High School scores higher on the Success Index (31.0 vs 21.4).
- •Cessnock High School has the higher ICSEA (892 vs 890), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Nambucca Heads High School has fewer students per teacher (7.6 vs 9.6).
- •Cessnock High School is the larger school with 616 students compared with 314.
- •Cessnock High School has grown faster over five years (2% vs -28%).
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 Cessnock High School better than Nambucca Heads High School?
On the Success Index, Cessnock High School ranks higher (31.0 vs 21.4 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 Cessnock High School and Nambucca Heads High School?
About 289 km in a straight line, between Cessnock and Nambucca Heads in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Cessnock High School has 9.6 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Nambucca Heads High School has 7.6.
How do Cessnock High School and Nambucca Heads High School rank in NSW?
Cessnock High School is 418th of 539 and Nambucca Heads High School is 510th of 539 among secondary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.