Coffs Harbour High School vs Orara High School
A head-to-head comparison of two secondary schools in New South Wales, 3.4 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Coffs Harbour High School
Coffs Harbour · Government high school · 7-12
783 students · ICSEA 957
Orara High School
Coffs Harbour · Government high school · 7-12
858 students · ICSEA 896
| Measure | Coffs Harbour High School Coffs Harbour NSW | Orara High School Coffs Harbour NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 31 Lower 50% | 31 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #416 of 539 | #420 of 539 |
| National rank (type) | #1146 of 1,472 | #1157 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Secondary | Secondary |
| Year range | 7-12 | 7-12 |
| Students | 783 | 858 |
| Girls / boys | 380 / 403 | 412 / 446 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | 141 | 168 |
| Year 12 cohort | 83 | 58 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -13% | +32% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 957 | 896 |
| ICSEA percentile | 28th | 10th |
| Top SEA quarter | 9% | 5% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 44% | 60% |
| Students per teacher | 12.1 | 11.1 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 64.6 | 76.8 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 16.7 | 20.5 |
| Language background other than English | 26% | 20% |
| Indigenous students | 10% | 24% |
| Suburb | Coffs Harbour 2450 | Coffs Harbour 2450 |
| Council area | Coffs Harbour | Coffs Harbour |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | coffsharb-h.schools.nsw.gov.au | orara-h.schools.nsw.gov.au |
The verdict
- •Both schools have almost identical Success Index scores (31.3 vs 31.0).
- •Coffs Harbour High School has the higher ICSEA (957 vs 896), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Orara High School has fewer students per teacher (11.1 vs 12.1).
- •Orara High School is the larger school with 858 students compared with 783.
- •Orara High School has grown faster over five years (32% vs -13%).
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 Coffs Harbour High School better than Orara High School?
The two schools are very close on the Success Index. Differences in sector, size, year range and distance from home will matter more than the score.
How far apart are Coffs Harbour High School and Orara High School?
About 3.4 km in a straight line, between Coffs Harbour and Coffs Harbour in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Coffs Harbour High School has 12.1 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Orara High School has 11.1.
How do Coffs Harbour High School and Orara High School rank in NSW?
Coffs Harbour High School is 416th of 539 and Orara High School is 420th of 539 among secondary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.