Cowra High School vs St Raphael's Catholic School Cowra
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 1.8 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Cowra High School
Cowra · Government high school · 7-12
439 students · ICSEA 884
St Raphael's Catholic School Cowra
Cowra · Catholic combined · K-12
442 students · ICSEA 985
| Measure | Cowra High School Cowra NSW | St Raphael's Catholic School Cowra Cowra NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 19 Lower 50% | 40 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #523 of 539 | #248 of 314 |
| National rank (type) | #1419 of 1,472 | #872 of 1,259 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Secondary | Combined |
| Year range | 7-12 | K-12 |
| Students | 439 | 442 |
| Girls / boys | 206 / 233 | 239 / 203 |
| Foundation intake | – | 26 |
| Year 7 cohort | 90 | 41 |
| Year 12 cohort | 56 | 19 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -17% | +6% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 884 | 985 |
| ICSEA percentile | 8th | 40th |
| Top SEA quarter | 3% | 13% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 62% | 31% |
| Students per teacher | 9.3 | 11.1 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 47.3 | 39.8 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 16.4 | 15.4 |
| Language background other than English | 6% | 7% |
| Indigenous students | 29% | 18% |
| Suburb | Cowra 2794 | Cowra 2794 |
| Council area | Cowra | Cowra |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | cowra-h.schools.nsw.gov.au | www.straphaelscowra.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Raphael's Catholic School Cowra scores higher on the Success Index (39.5 vs 18.8).
- •St Raphael's Catholic School Cowra has the higher ICSEA (985 vs 884), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Cowra High School has fewer students per teacher (9.3 vs 11.1).
- •St Raphael's Catholic School Cowra is the larger school with 442 students compared with 439.
- •St Raphael's Catholic School Cowra has grown faster over five years (6% vs -17%).
- •Cowra High School is a government school while St Raphael's Catholic School Cowra 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 Cowra High School better than St Raphael's Catholic School Cowra?
On the Success Index, St Raphael's Catholic School Cowra ranks higher (39.5 vs 18.8 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 Cowra High School and St Raphael's Catholic School Cowra?
About 1.8 km in a straight line, between Cowra and Cowra in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Cowra High School has 9.3 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Raphael's Catholic School Cowra has 11.1.
How do Cowra High School and St Raphael's Catholic School Cowra rank in NSW?
Cowra High School is 523rd of 539 and St Raphael's Catholic School Cowra is 248th of 314 among secondary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.