Gilgandra High School vs Melville High School
A head-to-head comparison of two secondary schools in New South Wales, 401 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Gilgandra High School
Gilgandra · Government high school · 7-12
185 students · ICSEA 849
Melville High School
Kempsey · Government high school · 7-12
355 students · ICSEA 849
| Measure | Gilgandra High School Gilgandra NSW | Melville High School Kempsey NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 19 Lower 50% | 18 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #525 of 539 | #530 of 539 |
| National rank (type) | #1421 of 1,472 | #1432 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Secondary | Secondary |
| Year range | 7-12 | 7-12 |
| Students | 185 | 355 |
| Girls / boys | 84 / 101 | 174 / 181 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | 31 | 71 |
| Year 12 cohort | 14 | 34 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -19% | -40% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 849 | 849 |
| ICSEA percentile | 5th | 5th |
| Top SEA quarter | 2% | 2% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 63% | 67% |
| Students per teacher | 6.8 | 7.3 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 27.0 | 48.5 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 11.4 | 16.6 |
| Language background other than English | 4% | 5% |
| Indigenous students | 44% | 43% |
| Suburb | Gilgandra 2827 | Kempsey 2440 |
| Council area | Gilgandra | Kempsey |
| Remoteness | Outer Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | gilgandra-h.schools.nsw.gov.au | melville-h.schools.nsw.gov.au |
The verdict
- •Both schools have almost identical Success Index scores (18.7 vs 18.0).
- •Melville High School is the larger school with 355 students compared with 185.
- •Gilgandra High School has grown faster over five years (-19% vs -40%).
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 Gilgandra High School better than Melville 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 Gilgandra High School and Melville High School?
About 401 km in a straight line, between Gilgandra and Kempsey in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Gilgandra High School has 6.8 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Melville High School has 7.3.
How do Gilgandra High School and Melville High School rank in NSW?
Gilgandra High School is 525th of 539 and Melville High School is 530th of 539 among secondary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.