Five Islands School vs Lake Macquarie High School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 263 m apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Five Islands School
Booragul · Government special · U
51 students · ICSEA 890
Lake Macquarie High School
Booragul · Government high school · 7-12
435 students · ICSEA 925
| Measure | Five Islands School Booragul NSW | Lake Macquarie High School Booragul NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | – Not rated | 41 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | – | #335 of 539 |
| National rank (type) | – | #935 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Special | Secondary |
| Year range | U | 7-12 |
| Students | 51 | 435 |
| Girls / boys | 15 / 36 | 193 / 242 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | – | 101 |
| Year 12 cohort | – | 45 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +38% | +10% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 890 | 925 |
| ICSEA percentile | 9th | 17th |
| Top SEA quarter | 3% | 4% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 69% | 55% |
| Students per teacher | 5.0 | 8.2 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 10.3 | 52.7 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 10.4 | 17.8 |
| Language background other than English | 8% | 8% |
| Indigenous students | 24% | 19% |
| Suburb | Booragul 2284 | Booragul 2284 |
| Council area | Lake Macquarie | Lake Macquarie |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | fiveis-s.schools.nsw.gov.au | lakemacqua-h.schools.nsw.gov.au |
The verdict
- •Lake Macquarie High School has the higher ICSEA (925 vs 890), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Five Islands School has fewer students per teacher (5.0 vs 8.2).
- •Lake Macquarie High School is the larger school with 435 students compared with 51.
- •Five Islands School has grown faster over five years (38% vs 10%).
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 Five Islands School better than Lake Macquarie High 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 Five Islands School and Lake Macquarie High School?
About 263 m in a straight line, between Booragul and Booragul in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Five Islands School has 5.0 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Lake Macquarie High School has 8.2.
How do Five Islands School and Lake Macquarie High School rank in NSW?
Five Islands School is unranked and Lake Macquarie High School is 335th of 539 among special schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.