Colo Vale Public School vs Highlands School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 5.9 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Colo Vale Public School
Colo Vale · Government primary · K-6
144 students · ICSEA 952
Highlands School
Mittagong · Government special · U
37 students · ICSEA 860
| Measure | Colo Vale Public School Colo Vale NSW | Highlands School Mittagong NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 31 Lower 50% | – Not rated |
| State rank (type) | #1317 of 1,619 | – |
| National rank (type) | #4072 of 4,908 | – |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Primary | Special |
| Year range | K-6 | U |
| Students | 144 | 37 |
| Girls / boys | 72 / 72 | 14 / 23 |
| Foundation intake | 32 | – |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -21% | +12% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 952 | 860 |
| ICSEA percentile | 26th | 6th |
| Top SEA quarter | 4% | 5% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 48% | 74% |
| Students per teacher | 13.1 | 4.2 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 11.0 | 8.9 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 2.0 | 9.0 |
| Language background other than English | 7% | 8% |
| Indigenous students | 13% | 27% |
| Suburb | Colo Vale 2575 | Mittagong 2575 |
| Council area | Wingecarribee | Wingecarribee |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | colovale-p.schools.nsw.gov.au | highlands-s.schools.nsw.gov.au |
The verdict
- •Colo Vale Public School has the higher ICSEA (952 vs 860), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Highlands School has fewer students per teacher (4.2 vs 13.1).
- •Colo Vale Public School is the larger school with 144 students compared with 37.
- •Highlands School has grown faster over five years (12% vs -21%).
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 Colo Vale Public School better than Highlands 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 Colo Vale Public School and Highlands School?
About 5.9 km in a straight line, between Colo Vale and Mittagong in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Colo Vale Public School has 13.1 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Highlands School has 4.2.
How do Colo Vale Public School and Highlands School rank in NSW?
Colo Vale Public School is 1317th of 1,619 and Highlands School is unranked among primary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.