Edmund Rice College vs The Illawarra Grammar 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.
Edmund Rice College
West Wollongong · Independent high school · 7-12
1,054 students · ICSEA 1083
The Illawarra Grammar School
Wollongong West · Independent combined · K-12
970 students · ICSEA 1159
| Measure | Edmund Rice College West Wollongong NSW | The Illawarra Grammar School Wollongong West NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 68 Top 25% | 80 Top 10% |
| State rank (type) | #132 of 539 | #44 of 314 |
| National rank (type) | #326 of 1,472 | #107 of 1,259 |
| Sector | Independent | Independent |
| Type | Secondary | Combined |
| Year range | 7-12 | K-12 |
| Students | 1,054 | 970 |
| Girls / boys | 0 / 1,054 | 464 / 506 |
| Foundation intake | – | 49 |
| Year 7 cohort | 176 | 106 |
| Year 12 cohort | 144 | 92 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +1% | +23% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1083 | 1159 |
| ICSEA percentile | 79th | 96th |
| Top SEA quarter | 32% | 64% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 8% | 2% |
| Students per teacher | 13.3 | 9.7 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 79.2 | 99.8 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 32.0 | 45.4 |
| Language background other than English | 14% | 36% |
| Indigenous students | 4% | 2% |
| Suburb | West Wollongong 2500 | Wollongong West 2500 |
| Council area | Wollongong | Wollongong |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.edmundricecollege.nsw.edu.au/ | www.tigs.nsw.edu.au |
The verdict
- •The Illawarra Grammar School scores higher on the Success Index (80.3 vs 68.1).
- •The Illawarra Grammar School has the higher ICSEA (1159 vs 1083), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •The Illawarra Grammar School has fewer students per teacher (9.7 vs 13.3).
- •Edmund Rice College is the larger school with 1,054 students compared with 970.
- •The Illawarra Grammar School has grown faster over five years (23% vs 1%).
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 Edmund Rice College better than The Illawarra Grammar School?
On the Success Index, The Illawarra Grammar School ranks higher (80.3 vs 68.1 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 Edmund Rice College and The Illawarra Grammar School?
About 1.2 km in a straight line, between West Wollongong and Wollongong West in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Edmund Rice College has 13.3 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and The Illawarra Grammar School has 9.7.
How do Edmund Rice College and The Illawarra Grammar School rank in NSW?
Edmund Rice College is 132nd of 539 and The Illawarra Grammar School is 44th of 314 among secondary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.