Coonabarabran High School vs Hunter River High School
A head-to-head comparison of two secondary schools in New South Wales, 285 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Coonabarabran High School
Coonabarabran · Government high school · 7-12
298 students · ICSEA 898
Hunter River High School
Heatherbrae · Government high school · 7-12
762 students · ICSEA 899
| Measure | Coonabarabran High School Coonabarabran NSW | Hunter River High School Heatherbrae NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 24 Lower 50% | 26 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #490 of 539 | #473 of 539 |
| National rank (type) | #1339 of 1,472 | #1294 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Secondary | Secondary |
| Year range | 7-12 | 7-12 |
| Students | 298 | 762 |
| Girls / boys | 150 / 148 | 352 / 410 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | 67 | 155 |
| Year 12 cohort | 30 | 66 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -15% | -13% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 898 | 899 |
| ICSEA percentile | 10th | 10th |
| Top SEA quarter | 5% | 3% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 54% | 62% |
| Students per teacher | 8.7 | 10.3 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 34.2 | 73.7 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 12.2 | 26.5 |
| Language background other than English | 6% | 6% |
| Indigenous students | 31% | 27% |
| Suburb | Coonabarabran 2357 | Heatherbrae 2324 |
| Council area | Warrumbungle | Port Stephens |
| Remoteness | Outer Regional | Major Cities |
| Website | coonabarab-h.schools.nsw.gov.au | hunterriv-h.schools.nsw.gov.au |
The verdict
- •Hunter River High School scores higher on the Success Index (25.5 vs 23.9).
- •Hunter River High School has the higher ICSEA (899 vs 898), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Coonabarabran High School has fewer students per teacher (8.7 vs 10.3).
- •Hunter River High School is the larger school with 762 students compared with 298.
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 Coonabarabran High School better than Hunter River High School?
On the Success Index, Hunter River High School ranks higher (25.5 vs 23.9 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 Coonabarabran High School and Hunter River High School?
About 285 km in a straight line, between Coonabarabran and Heatherbrae in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Coonabarabran High School has 8.7 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Hunter River High School has 10.3.
How do Coonabarabran High School and Hunter River High School rank in NSW?
Coonabarabran High School is 490th of 539 and Hunter River High School is 473rd of 539 among secondary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.