Hunter River Community School vs Hunter Valley Grammar School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 1.5 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Hunter River Community School
Metford · Government special · U
70 students · ICSEA 958
Hunter Valley Grammar School
Ashtonfield · Independent combined · K-12
1,161 students · ICSEA 1134
| Measure | Hunter River Community School Metford NSW | Hunter Valley Grammar School Ashtonfield NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | – Not rated | 81 Top 10% |
| State rank (type) | – | #36 of 314 |
| National rank (type) | – | #85 of 1,259 |
| Sector | Government | Independent |
| Type | Special | Combined |
| Year range | U | K-12 |
| Students | 70 | 1,161 |
| Girls / boys | 19 / 51 | 552 / 609 |
| Foundation intake | – | 78 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | 111 |
| Year 12 cohort | – | 89 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +0% | +6% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 958 | 1134 |
| ICSEA percentile | 28th | 92th |
| Top SEA quarter | 6% | 54% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 50% | 3% |
| Students per teacher | 4.4 | 9.0 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 15.8 | 128.9 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 13.8 | 68.9 |
| Language background other than English | 15% | 13% |
| Indigenous students | 11% | 4% |
| Suburb | Metford 2323 | Ashtonfield 2323 |
| Council area | Maitland | Maitland |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | hunterrivc-s.schools.nsw.gov.au | www.hvgs.nsw.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Hunter Valley Grammar School has the higher ICSEA (1134 vs 958), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Hunter River Community School has fewer students per teacher (4.4 vs 9.0).
- •Hunter Valley Grammar School is the larger school with 1,161 students compared with 70.
- •Hunter Valley Grammar School has grown faster over five years (6% vs 0%).
- •Hunter River Community School is a government school while Hunter Valley Grammar School is an independent 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 Belmont
Frequently asked questions
Is Hunter River Community School better than Hunter Valley Grammar 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 Hunter River Community School and Hunter Valley Grammar School?
About 1.5 km in a straight line, between Metford and Ashtonfield in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Hunter River Community School has 4.4 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Hunter Valley Grammar School has 9.0.
How do Hunter River Community School and Hunter Valley Grammar School rank in NSW?
Hunter River Community School is unranked and Hunter Valley Grammar School is 36th of 314 among special schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.