Kempsey High School vs Melville High School
A head-to-head comparison of two secondary schools in New South Wales, 2.3 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Kempsey High School
Kempsey · Government high school · 7-12
584 students · ICSEA 848
Melville High School
Kempsey · Government high school · 7-12
355 students · ICSEA 849
| Measure | Kempsey High School Kempsey NSW | Melville High School Kempsey NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 28 Lower 50% | 18 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #451 of 539 | #530 of 539 |
| National rank (type) | #1234 of 1,472 | #1432 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Secondary | Secondary |
| Year range | 7-12 | 7-12 |
| Students | 584 | 355 |
| Girls / boys | 290 / 294 | 174 / 181 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | 99 | 71 |
| Year 12 cohort | 44 | 34 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +28% | -40% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 848 | 849 |
| ICSEA percentile | 5th | 5th |
| Top SEA quarter | 2% | 2% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 66% | 67% |
| Students per teacher | 9.5 | 7.3 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 60.7 | 48.5 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 18.7 | 16.6 |
| Language background other than English | 3% | 5% |
| Indigenous students | 46% | 43% |
| Suburb | Kempsey 2440 | Kempsey 2440 |
| Council area | Kempsey | Kempsey |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | kempsey-h.schools.nsw.gov.au | melville-h.schools.nsw.gov.au |
The verdict
- •Kempsey High School scores higher on the Success Index (28.0 vs 18.0).
- •Melville High School has the higher ICSEA (849 vs 848), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Melville High School has fewer students per teacher (7.3 vs 9.5).
- •Kempsey High School is the larger school with 584 students compared with 355.
- •Kempsey High School has grown faster over five years (28% vs -40%).
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 High School better than Melville High School?
On the Success Index, Kempsey High School ranks higher (28.0 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 High School and Melville High School?
About 2.3 km in a straight line, between Kempsey and Kempsey in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Kempsey High School has 9.5 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Melville High School has 7.3.
How do Kempsey High School and Melville High School rank in NSW?
Kempsey High School is 451st of 539 and Melville High School is 530th of 539 among secondary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.