Coffs Harbour Senior College vs St John Paul College
A head-to-head comparison of two secondary schools in New South Wales, 820 m apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Coffs Harbour Senior College
Coffs Harbour · Government high school · 11-12
454 students · ICSEA 1038
St John Paul College
Coffs Harbour · Catholic high school · 7-12
1,062 students · ICSEA 1044
| Measure | Coffs Harbour Senior College Coffs Harbour NSW | St John Paul College Coffs Harbour NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 61 Top 50% | 63 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #190 of 539 | #172 of 539 |
| National rank (type) | #477 of 1,472 | #438 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Secondary | Secondary |
| Year range | 11-12 | 7-12 |
| Students | 454 | 1,062 |
| Girls / boys | 272 / 182 | 552 / 510 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | – | 205 |
| Year 12 cohort | 233 | 118 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -5% | +5% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1038 | 1044 |
| ICSEA percentile | 63th | 66th |
| Top SEA quarter | 20% | 21% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 19% | 16% |
| Students per teacher | 11.4 | 12.3 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 39.5 | 86.4 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 8.2 | 37.6 |
| Language background other than English | 11% | 13% |
| Indigenous students | 6% | 6% |
| Suburb | Coffs Harbour 2450 | Coffs Harbour 2450 |
| Council area | Coffs Harbour | Coffs Harbour |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | coffsharbs-h.schools.nsw.gov.au | www.cofhslism.catholic.edu.au/ |
The verdict
- •St John Paul College scores higher on the Success Index (63.1 vs 61.4).
- •St John Paul College has the higher ICSEA (1044 vs 1038), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Coffs Harbour Senior College has fewer students per teacher (11.4 vs 12.3).
- •St John Paul College is the larger school with 1,062 students compared with 454.
- •St John Paul College has grown faster over five years (5% vs -5%).
- •Coffs Harbour Senior College is a government school while St John Paul College is a catholic school, so fees and enrolment rules differ.
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 Senior College better than St John Paul College?
On the Success Index, St John Paul College ranks higher (63.1 vs 61.4 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 Coffs Harbour Senior College and St John Paul College?
About 820 m in a straight line, between Coffs Harbour and Coffs Harbour in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Coffs Harbour Senior College has 11.4 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St John Paul College has 12.3.
How do Coffs Harbour Senior College and St John Paul College rank in NSW?
Coffs Harbour Senior College is 190th of 539 and St John Paul College is 172nd of 539 among secondary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.