Inner Sydney High School vs Key College
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 788 m apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Inner Sydney High School
Surry Hills · Government high school · 7-12
1,161 students · ICSEA 1104
Key College
Redfern · Independent special · 9-12
70 students · ICSEA 909
| Measure | Inner Sydney High School Surry Hills NSW | Key College Redfern NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 76 Top 25% | – Not rated |
| State rank (type) | #54 of 539 | – |
| National rank (type) | #153 of 1,472 | – |
| Sector | Government | Independent |
| Type | Secondary | Special |
| Year range | 7-12 | 9-12 |
| Students | 1,161 | 70 |
| Girls / boys | 493 / 668 | 40 / 30 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | 213 | – |
| Year 12 cohort | 147 | 7 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +690% | +13% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1104 | 909 |
| ICSEA percentile | 85th | 13th |
| Top SEA quarter | 44% | 8% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 7% | 52% |
| Students per teacher | 15.0 | 5.6 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 77.5 | 12.4 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 14.6 | 12.7 |
| Language background other than English | 48% | 21% |
| Indigenous students | 4% | 24% |
| Suburb | Surry Hills 2010 | Redfern 2016 |
| Council area | Sydney | Sydney |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | innersydneyhighschool.schools.nsw.gov.au | www.youthoffthestreets.com.au/education/w1/i1001886/ |
The verdict
- •Inner Sydney High School has the higher ICSEA (1104 vs 909), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Key College has fewer students per teacher (5.6 vs 15.0).
- •Inner Sydney High School is the larger school with 1,161 students compared with 70.
- •Inner Sydney High School has grown faster over five years (690% vs 13%).
- •Inner Sydney High School is a government school while Key College 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.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Inner Sydney High School better than Key College?
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 Inner Sydney High School and Key College?
About 788 m in a straight line, between Surry Hills and Redfern in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Inner Sydney High School has 15.0 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Key College has 5.6.
How do Inner Sydney High School and Key College rank in NSW?
Inner Sydney High School is 54th of 539 and Key College is unranked among secondary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.