Living School vs The Rivers Secondary College, Richmond River High Campus
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 1.5 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Living School
Lismore · Independent combined · K-12
313 students · ICSEA 1037
The Rivers Secondary College, Richmond River High Campus
North Lismore · Government high school · 7-12
494 students · ICSEA 950
| Measure | Living School Lismore NSW | The Rivers Secondary College, Richmond River High Campus North Lismore NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 62 Top 50% | 35 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #131 of 314 | #380 of 539 |
| National rank (type) | #421 of 1,259 | #1065 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Independent | Government |
| Type | Combined | Secondary |
| Year range | K-12 | 7-12 |
| Students | 313 | 494 |
| Girls / boys | 150 / 163 | 232 / 262 |
| Foundation intake | 21 | – |
| Year 7 cohort | 22 | 86 |
| Year 12 cohort | 12 | 57 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +219% | -30% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1037 | 950 |
| ICSEA percentile | 63th | 25th |
| Top SEA quarter | 25% | 8% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 13% | 48% |
| Students per teacher | 9.7 | 8.5 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 32.2 | 58.2 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 21.0 | 13.3 |
| Language background other than English | 12% | 8% |
| Indigenous students | 15% | 19% |
| Suburb | Lismore 2480 | North Lismore 2480 |
| Council area | Lismore | Lismore |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | living.school | richmondri-h.schools.nsw.gov.au |
The verdict
- •Living School scores higher on the Success Index (62.0 vs 34.9).
- •Living School has the higher ICSEA (1037 vs 950), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •The Rivers Secondary College, Richmond River High Campus has fewer students per teacher (8.5 vs 9.7).
- •The Rivers Secondary College, Richmond River High Campus is the larger school with 494 students compared with 313.
- •Living School has grown faster over five years (219% vs -30%).
- •Living School is a independent school while The Rivers Secondary College, Richmond River High Campus 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.
Free academic assessment
Torn between two schools? Start with your child.
Whichever you choose, a free Success Tutoring assessment shows exactly where your child is in English and Maths and how to get ahead before the next school year.
- Personalised learning plan mapped to the Australian Curriculum
- English & Maths from Kindergarten to Year 12
- Flexible memberships, no lock-in contracts
- Your nearest centre: Success Tutoring Mount Gravatt East
Frequently asked questions
Is Living School better than The Rivers Secondary College, Richmond River High Campus?
On the Success Index, Living School ranks higher (62.0 vs 34.9 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 Living School and The Rivers Secondary College, Richmond River High Campus?
About 1.5 km in a straight line, between Lismore and North Lismore in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Living School has 9.7 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and The Rivers Secondary College, Richmond River High Campus has 8.5.
How do Living School and The Rivers Secondary College, Richmond River High Campus rank in NSW?
Living School is 131st of 314 and The Rivers Secondary College, Richmond River High Campus is 380th of 539 among combined schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.