Illawarra Christian School vs Mount Kembla Public School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 1.7 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Illawarra Christian School
Cordeaux Heights · Independent combined · K-12
800 students · ICSEA 1091
Mount Kembla Public School
Mount Kembla · Government primary · K-6
159 students · ICSEA 1050
| Measure | Illawarra Christian School Cordeaux Heights NSW | Mount Kembla Public School Mount Kembla NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 61 Top 50% | 62 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #137 of 314 | #574 of 1,619 |
| National rank (type) | #447 of 1,259 | #1758 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Independent | Government |
| Type | Combined | Primary |
| Year range | K-12 | K-6 |
| Students | 800 | 159 |
| Girls / boys | 428 / 372 | 64 / 95 |
| Foundation intake | 48 | 29 |
| Year 7 cohort | 81 | – |
| Year 12 cohort | 64 | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +30% | +42% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1091 | 1050 |
| ICSEA percentile | 82th | 68th |
| Top SEA quarter | 37% | 25% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 6% | 16% |
| Students per teacher | 13.6 | 16.2 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 58.8 | 9.8 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 35.5 | 1.9 |
| Language background other than English | 30% | 11% |
| Indigenous students | 2% | 7% |
| Suburb | Cordeaux Heights 2526 | Mount Kembla 2526 |
| Council area | Wollongong | Wollongong |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.ics.nsw.edu.au | mtkembla-p.schools.nsw.gov.au |
The verdict
- •Mount Kembla Public School scores higher on the Success Index (61.9 vs 60.9).
- •Illawarra Christian School has the higher ICSEA (1091 vs 1050), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Illawarra Christian School has fewer students per teacher (13.6 vs 16.2).
- •Illawarra Christian School is the larger school with 800 students compared with 159.
- •Mount Kembla Public School has grown faster over five years (42% vs 30%).
- •Illawarra Christian School is a independent school while Mount Kembla Public School is a government 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 Illawarra Christian School better than Mount Kembla Public School?
On the Success Index, Mount Kembla Public School ranks higher (61.9 vs 60.9 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 Illawarra Christian School and Mount Kembla Public School?
About 1.7 km in a straight line, between Cordeaux Heights and Mount Kembla in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Illawarra Christian School has 13.6 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Mount Kembla Public School has 16.2.
How do Illawarra Christian School and Mount Kembla Public School rank in NSW?
Illawarra Christian School is 137th of 314 and Mount Kembla Public School is 574th of 1,619 among combined schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.