Denison College of Secondary Education, Kelso High Campus vs MacKillop College Bathurst
A head-to-head comparison of two secondary schools in New South Wales, 3.4 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Denison College of Secondary Education, Kelso High Campus
Kelso · Government high school · 7-12
813 students · ICSEA 936
MacKillop College Bathurst
Bathurst · Catholic high school · 7-12
691 students · ICSEA 1027
| Measure | Denison College of Secondary Education, Kelso High Campus Kelso NSW | MacKillop College Bathurst Bathurst NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 31 Lower 50% | 59 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #423 of 539 | #216 of 539 |
| National rank (type) | #1165 of 1,472 | #543 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Secondary | Secondary |
| Year range | 7-12 | 7-12 |
| Students | 813 | 691 |
| Girls / boys | 386 / 427 | 691 / 0 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | 150 | 129 |
| Year 12 cohort | 83 | 91 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +1% | +12% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 936 | 1027 |
| ICSEA percentile | 20th | 59th |
| Top SEA quarter | 5% | 19% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 48% | 20% |
| Students per teacher | 11.6 | 11.7 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 70.2 | 59.1 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 22.1 | 20.5 |
| Language background other than English | 5% | 5% |
| Indigenous students | 20% | 10% |
| Suburb | Kelso 2795 | Bathurst 2795 |
| Council area | Bathurst | Bathurst |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | kelso-h.schools.nsw.gov.au | mackillopbathurst.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •MacKillop College Bathurst scores higher on the Success Index (58.9 vs 30.5).
- •MacKillop College Bathurst has the higher ICSEA (1027 vs 936), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Denison College of Secondary Education, Kelso High Campus is the larger school with 813 students compared with 691.
- •MacKillop College Bathurst has grown faster over five years (12% vs 1%).
- •Denison College of Secondary Education, Kelso High Campus is a government school while MacKillop College Bathurst 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.
Free academic assessment
Torn between two schools? Start with your child.
Whichever you choose, a free Success Tutoring assessment shows exactly where your child is in English and Maths and how to get ahead before the next school year.
- Personalised learning plan mapped to the Australian Curriculum
- English & Maths from Kindergarten to Year 12
- Flexible memberships, no lock-in contracts
- Your nearest centre: Success Tutoring Penrith
Frequently asked questions
Is Denison College of Secondary Education, Kelso High Campus better than MacKillop College Bathurst?
On the Success Index, MacKillop College Bathurst ranks higher (58.9 vs 30.5 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 Denison College of Secondary Education, Kelso High Campus and MacKillop College Bathurst?
About 3.4 km in a straight line, between Kelso and Bathurst in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Denison College of Secondary Education, Kelso High Campus has 11.6 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and MacKillop College Bathurst has 11.7.
How do Denison College of Secondary Education, Kelso High Campus and MacKillop College Bathurst rank in NSW?
Denison College of Secondary Education, Kelso High Campus is 423rd of 539 and MacKillop College Bathurst is 216th of 539 among secondary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.