Cootamundra High School vs Sacred Heart Central School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 1.2 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
Sacred Heart Central School
Cootamundra · Catholic combined · K-10
376 students · ICSEA 994
| Measure | Cootamundra High School Cootamundra NSW | Sacred Heart Central School Cootamundra NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 22 Lower 50% | 38 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #503 of 539 | #252 of 314 |
| National rank (type) | #1379 of 1,472 | #892 of 1,259 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Secondary | Combined |
| Year range | 7-12 | K-10 |
| Students | 203 | 376 |
| Girls / boys | 95 / 108 | 182 / 194 |
| Foundation intake | – | 38 |
| Year 7 cohort | 27 | 42 |
| Year 12 cohort | 17 | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -32% | +16% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 902 | 994 |
| ICSEA percentile | 11th | 44th |
| Top SEA quarter | 3% | 11% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 64% | 31% |
| Students per teacher | 7.5 | 13.7 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 27.0 | 27.4 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 9.4 | 9.3 |
| Language background other than English | 6% | 3% |
| Indigenous students | 22% | 12% |
| Suburb | Cootamundra 2590 | Cootamundra 2590 |
| Council area | Cootamundra-Gundagai | Cootamundra-Gundagai |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | cootamundr-h.schools.nsw.gov.au | www.shcoota.nsw.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Sacred Heart Central School scores higher on the Success Index (38.3 vs 22.1).
- •Sacred Heart Central School has the higher ICSEA (994 vs 902), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Cootamundra High School has fewer students per teacher (7.5 vs 13.7).
- •Sacred Heart Central School is the larger school with 376 students compared with 203.
- •Sacred Heart Central School has grown faster over five years (16% vs -32%).
- •Cootamundra High School is a government school while Sacred Heart Central School 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 Cootamundra High School better than Sacred Heart Central School?
On the Success Index, Sacred Heart Central School ranks higher (38.3 vs 22.1 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 Cootamundra High School and Sacred Heart Central School?
About 1.2 km in a straight line, between Cootamundra and Cootamundra 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 Sacred Heart Central School has 13.7.
How do Cootamundra High School and Sacred Heart Central School rank in NSW?
Cootamundra High School is 503rd of 539 and Sacred Heart Central School is 252nd of 314 among secondary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.