Kempsey Adventist School vs Melville High School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 2.2 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Kempsey Adventist School
Kempsey · Independent combined · K-12
458 students · ICSEA 953
Melville High School
Kempsey · Government high school · 7-12
355 students · ICSEA 849
| Measure | Kempsey Adventist School Kempsey NSW | Melville High School Kempsey NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 36 Lower 50% | 18 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #257 of 314 | #530 of 539 |
| National rank (type) | #934 of 1,259 | #1432 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Independent | Government |
| Type | Combined | Secondary |
| Year range | K-12 | 7-12 |
| Students | 458 | 355 |
| Girls / boys | 202 / 256 | 174 / 181 |
| Foundation intake | 21 | – |
| Year 7 cohort | 59 | 71 |
| Year 12 cohort | 25 | 34 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -16% | -40% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 953 | 849 |
| ICSEA percentile | 26th | 5th |
| Top SEA quarter | 9% | 2% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 41% | 67% |
| Students per teacher | 11.3 | 7.3 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 40.4 | 48.5 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 23.9 | 16.6 |
| Language background other than English | 10% | 5% |
| Indigenous students | 21% | 43% |
| Suburb | Kempsey 2440 | Kempsey 2440 |
| Council area | Kempsey | Kempsey |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | www.kas.nsw.edu.au | melville-h.schools.nsw.gov.au |
The verdict
- •Kempsey Adventist School scores higher on the Success Index (36.1 vs 18.0).
- •Kempsey Adventist School has the higher ICSEA (953 vs 849), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Melville High School has fewer students per teacher (7.3 vs 11.3).
- •Kempsey Adventist School is the larger school with 458 students compared with 355.
- •Kempsey Adventist School has grown faster over five years (-16% vs -40%).
- •Kempsey Adventist School is a independent school while Melville High 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 Kempsey Adventist School better than Melville High School?
On the Success Index, Kempsey Adventist School ranks higher (36.1 vs 18.0 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 Kempsey Adventist School and Melville High School?
About 2.2 km in a straight line, between Kempsey and Kempsey in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Kempsey Adventist School has 11.3 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Melville High School has 7.3.
How do Kempsey Adventist School and Melville High School rank in NSW?
Kempsey Adventist School is 257th of 314 and Melville High School is 530th of 539 among combined schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.