Elouera Special 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.
Elouera Special School
Cootamundra · Independent special · U
28 students · ICSEA 943
Sacred Heart Central School
Cootamundra · Catholic combined · K-10
376 students · ICSEA 994
| Measure | Elouera Special School Cootamundra NSW | Sacred Heart Central School Cootamundra NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | – Not rated | 38 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | – | #252 of 314 |
| National rank (type) | – | #892 of 1,259 |
| Sector | Independent | Catholic |
| Type | Special | Combined |
| Year range | U | K-10 |
| Students | 28 | 376 |
| Girls / boys | 12 / 16 | 182 / 194 |
| Foundation intake | – | 38 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | 42 |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -3% | +16% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 943 | 994 |
| ICSEA percentile | 22th | 44th |
| Top SEA quarter | 8% | 11% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 58% | 31% |
| Students per teacher | 4.0 | 13.7 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 7.0 | 27.4 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 6.0 | 9.3 |
| Language background other than English | 15% | 3% |
| Indigenous students | 11% | 12% |
| Suburb | Cootamundra 2590 | Cootamundra 2590 |
| Council area | Cootamundra-Gundagai | Cootamundra-Gundagai |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | www.elouera-association.com | www.shcoota.nsw.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Sacred Heart Central School has the higher ICSEA (994 vs 943), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Elouera Special School has fewer students per teacher (4.0 vs 13.7).
- •Sacred Heart Central School is the larger school with 376 students compared with 28.
- •Sacred Heart Central School has grown faster over five years (16% vs -3%).
- •Elouera Special School is a independent 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.
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 Dickson
Frequently asked questions
Is Elouera Special School better than Sacred Heart Central 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 Elouera Special 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?
Elouera Special School has 4.0 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Sacred Heart Central School has 13.7.
How do Elouera Special School and Sacred Heart Central School rank in NSW?
Elouera Special School is unranked and Sacred Heart Central School is 252nd of 314 among special schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.