Cooma Public School vs The Alpine School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 1.7 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Cooma Public School
Cooma · Government primary · K-6
238 students · ICSEA 971
The Alpine School
Cooma · Independent combined · K-11
97 students · ICSEA 1032
| Measure | Cooma Public School Cooma NSW | The Alpine School Cooma NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 37 Lower 50% | 54 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #1170 of 1,619 | #179 of 314 |
| National rank (type) | #3651 of 4,908 | #571 of 1,259 |
| Sector | Government | Independent |
| Type | Primary | Combined |
| Year range | K-6 | K-11 |
| Students | 238 | 97 |
| Girls / boys | 114 / 124 | 47 / 50 |
| Foundation intake | 43 | 14 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | 9 |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +3% | +155% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 971 | 1032 |
| ICSEA percentile | 34th | 61th |
| Top SEA quarter | 8% | 16% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 42% | 20% |
| Students per teacher | 14.1 | 8.5 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 16.9 | 11.4 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 4.4 | 5.0 |
| Language background other than English | 19% | 6% |
| Indigenous students | 9% | 5% |
| Suburb | Cooma 2630 | Cooma 2630 |
| Council area | Snowy Monaro | Snowy Monaro |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | cooma-p.schools.nsw.gov.au | www.thealpineschool.nsw.edu.au |
The verdict
- •The Alpine School scores higher on the Success Index (53.8 vs 36.8).
- •The Alpine School has the higher ICSEA (1032 vs 971), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •The Alpine School has fewer students per teacher (8.5 vs 14.1).
- •Cooma Public School is the larger school with 238 students compared with 97.
- •The Alpine School has grown faster over five years (155% vs 3%).
- •Cooma Public School is a government school while The Alpine School is an independent 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 Cooma Public School better than The Alpine School?
On the Success Index, The Alpine School ranks higher (53.8 vs 36.8 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 Cooma Public School and The Alpine School?
About 1.7 km in a straight line, between Cooma and Cooma in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Cooma Public School has 14.1 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and The Alpine School has 8.5.
How do Cooma Public School and The Alpine School rank in NSW?
Cooma Public School is 1170th of 1,619 and The Alpine School is 179th of 314 among primary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.