Cootamundra High School vs James Busby High School
A head-to-head comparison of two secondary schools in New South Wales, 275 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Cootamundra High School
Cootamundra · Government high school · 7-12
203 students · ICSEA 902
James Busby High School
Green Valley · Government high school · 7-12
544 students · ICSEA 902
| Measure | Cootamundra High School Cootamundra NSW | James Busby High School Green Valley NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 22 Lower 50% | 21 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #503 of 539 | #512 of 539 |
| National rank (type) | #1379 of 1,472 | #1395 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Secondary | Secondary |
| Year range | 7-12 | 7-12 |
| Students | 203 | 544 |
| Girls / boys | 95 / 108 | 237 / 307 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | 27 | 93 |
| Year 12 cohort | 17 | 73 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -32% | -19% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 902 | 902 |
| ICSEA percentile | 11th | 11th |
| Top SEA quarter | 3% | 2% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 64% | 72% |
| Students per teacher | 7.5 | 8.8 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 27.0 | 61.8 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 9.4 | 19.1 |
| Language background other than English | 6% | 81% |
| Indigenous students | 22% | 7% |
| Suburb | Cootamundra 2590 | Green Valley 2168 |
| Council area | Cootamundra-Gundagai | Liverpool |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Major Cities |
| Website | cootamundr-h.schools.nsw.gov.au | jamesbusby-h.schools.nsw.gov.au |
The verdict
- •Both schools have almost identical Success Index scores (22.1 vs 21.2).
- •Cootamundra High School has fewer students per teacher (7.5 vs 8.8).
- •James Busby High School is the larger school with 544 students compared with 203.
- •James Busby High School has grown faster over five years (-19% vs -32%).
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 Cootamundra High School better than James Busby 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 Cootamundra High School and James Busby High School?
About 275 km in a straight line, between Cootamundra and Green Valley in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Cootamundra High School has 7.5 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and James Busby High School has 8.8.
How do Cootamundra High School and James Busby High School rank in NSW?
Cootamundra High School is 503rd of 539 and James Busby High School is 512th of 539 among secondary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.