Grafton High School vs McAuley Catholic College
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.
Grafton High School
Grafton · Government high school · 7-12
768 students · ICSEA 941
McAuley Catholic College
Clarenza · Catholic high school · 7-12
602 students · ICSEA 1031
| Measure | Grafton High School Grafton NSW | McAuley Catholic College Clarenza NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 33 Lower 50% | 71 Top 25% |
| State rank (type) | #402 of 539 | #98 of 539 |
| National rank (type) | #1112 of 1,472 | #262 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Secondary | Secondary |
| Year range | 7-12 | 7-12 |
| Students | 768 | 602 |
| Girls / boys | 371 / 397 | 334 / 268 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | 147 | 126 |
| Year 12 cohort | 87 | 66 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -7% | +18% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 941 | 1031 |
| ICSEA percentile | 21th | 60th |
| Top SEA quarter | 7% | 21% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 49% | 20% |
| Students per teacher | 11.4 | 10.5 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 67.3 | 57.4 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 20.7 | 25.0 |
| Language background other than English | 4% | 4% |
| Indigenous students | 18% | 9% |
| Suburb | Grafton 2460 | Clarenza 2460 |
| Council area | Clarence Valley | Clarence Valley |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | grafton-h.schools.nsw.gov.au | www.grafslism.catholic.edu.au/ |
The verdict
- •McAuley Catholic College scores higher on the Success Index (71.2 vs 33.1).
- •McAuley Catholic College has the higher ICSEA (1031 vs 941), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •McAuley Catholic College has fewer students per teacher (10.5 vs 11.4).
- •Grafton High School is the larger school with 768 students compared with 602.
- •McAuley Catholic College has grown faster over five years (18% vs -7%).
- •Grafton High School is a government school while McAuley Catholic College 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.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Grafton High School better than McAuley Catholic College?
On the Success Index, McAuley Catholic College ranks higher (71.2 vs 33.1 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 Grafton High School and McAuley Catholic College?
About 3.4 km in a straight line, between Grafton and Clarenza in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Grafton High School has 11.4 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and McAuley Catholic College has 10.5.
How do Grafton High School and McAuley Catholic College rank in NSW?
Grafton High School is 402nd of 539 and McAuley Catholic College is 98th of 539 among secondary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.