Kurri Kurri High School vs Pelaw Main Public School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 2.4 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Kurri Kurri High School
Kurri Kurri · Government high school · 7-12
917 students · ICSEA 894
Pelaw Main Public School
Pelaw Main · Government primary · K-6
115 students · ICSEA 901
| Measure | Kurri Kurri High School Kurri Kurri NSW | Pelaw Main Public School Pelaw Main NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 22 Lower 50% | 22 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #504 of 539 | #1547 of 1,619 |
| National rank (type) | #1380 of 1,472 | #4676 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Secondary | Primary |
| Year range | 7-12 | K-6 |
| Students | 917 | 115 |
| Girls / boys | 442 / 475 | 66 / 49 |
| Foundation intake | – | 17 |
| Year 7 cohort | 193 | – |
| Year 12 cohort | 93 | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +9% | -40% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 894 | 901 |
| ICSEA percentile | 9th | 11th |
| Top SEA quarter | 2% | 3% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 64% | 61% |
| Students per teacher | 11.7 | 12.6 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 78.0 | 9.1 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 22.4 | 1.7 |
| Language background other than English | 4% | 4% |
| Indigenous students | 28% | 28% |
| Suburb | Kurri Kurri 2327 | Pelaw Main 2327 |
| Council area | Cessnock | Cessnock |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | kurrikurri-h.schools.nsw.gov.au | pelawmain-p.schools.nsw.gov.au |
The verdict
- •Both schools have almost identical Success Index scores (22.1 vs 22.1).
- •Pelaw Main Public School has the higher ICSEA (901 vs 894), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Kurri Kurri High School has fewer students per teacher (11.7 vs 12.6).
- •Kurri Kurri High School is the larger school with 917 students compared with 115.
- •Kurri Kurri High School has grown faster over five years (9% 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 Kurri Kurri High School better than Pelaw Main Public School?
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 Kurri Kurri High School and Pelaw Main Public School?
About 2.4 km in a straight line, between Kurri Kurri and Pelaw Main in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Kurri Kurri High School has 11.7 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Pelaw Main Public School has 12.6.
How do Kurri Kurri High School and Pelaw Main Public School rank in NSW?
Kurri Kurri High School is 504th of 539 and Pelaw Main Public School is 1547th of 1,619 among secondary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.