Hunter River High School vs Irrawang High School
A head-to-head comparison of two secondary schools in New South Wales, 3.9 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Hunter River High School
Heatherbrae · Government high school · 7-12
762 students · ICSEA 899
Irrawang High School
Raymond Terrace · Government high school · 7-12
810 students · ICSEA 916
| Measure | Hunter River High School Heatherbrae NSW | Irrawang High School Raymond Terrace NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 26 Lower 50% | 25 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #473 of 539 | #485 of 539 |
| National rank (type) | #1294 of 1,472 | #1324 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Secondary | Secondary |
| Year range | 7-12 | 7-12 |
| Students | 762 | 810 |
| Girls / boys | 352 / 410 | 395 / 415 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | 155 | 142 |
| Year 12 cohort | 66 | 90 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -13% | -20% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 899 | 916 |
| ICSEA percentile | 10th | 14th |
| Top SEA quarter | 3% | 3% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 62% | 57% |
| Students per teacher | 10.3 | 10.4 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 73.7 | 78.2 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 26.5 | 26.1 |
| Language background other than English | 6% | 5% |
| Indigenous students | 27% | 24% |
| Suburb | Heatherbrae 2324 | Raymond Terrace 2324 |
| Council area | Port Stephens | Port Stephens |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | hunterriv-h.schools.nsw.gov.au | irrawang-h.schools.nsw.gov.au |
The verdict
- •Hunter River High School scores higher on the Success Index (25.5 vs 24.5).
- •Irrawang High School has the higher ICSEA (916 vs 899), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Irrawang High School is the larger school with 810 students compared with 762.
- •Hunter River High School has grown faster over five years (-13% vs -20%).
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 Hunter River High School better than Irrawang High School?
On the Success Index, Hunter River High School ranks higher (25.5 vs 24.5 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 Hunter River High School and Irrawang High School?
About 3.9 km in a straight line, between Heatherbrae and Raymond Terrace in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Hunter River High School has 10.3 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Irrawang High School has 10.4.
How do Hunter River High School and Irrawang High School rank in NSW?
Hunter River High School is 473rd of 539 and Irrawang High School is 485th of 539 among secondary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.