Murwillumbah Public School vs The Small School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 555 m apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Murwillumbah Public School
Murwillumbah · Government primary · K-6
149 students · ICSEA 959
The Small School
Murwillumbah · Independent combined · K-10
67 students · ICSEA 1071
| Measure | Murwillumbah Public School Murwillumbah NSW | The Small School Murwillumbah NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 38 Lower 50% | 64 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #1138 of 1,619 | – |
| National rank (type) | #3565 of 4,908 | – |
| Sector | Government | Independent |
| Type | Primary | Combined |
| Year range | K-6 | K-10 |
| Students | 149 | 67 |
| Girls / boys | 91 / 58 | 35 / 32 |
| Foundation intake | 18 | 6 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | 6 |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -40% | +168% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 959 | 1071 |
| ICSEA percentile | 28th | 76th |
| Top SEA quarter | 9% | 29% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 46% | 10% |
| Students per teacher | 8.5 | 10.8 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 17.6 | 6.2 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 2.7 | 6.4 |
| Language background other than English | 5% | 15% |
| Indigenous students | 18% | 3% |
| Suburb | Murwillumbah 2484 | Murwillumbah 2484 |
| Council area | Tweed | Tweed |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | murwillumb-p.schools.nsw.gov.au | www.thesmallschool.org.au/ |
The verdict
- •The Small School scores higher on the Success Index (63.8 vs 38.1).
- •The Small School has the higher ICSEA (1071 vs 959), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Murwillumbah Public School has fewer students per teacher (8.5 vs 10.8).
- •Murwillumbah Public School is the larger school with 149 students compared with 67.
- •The Small School has grown faster over five years (168% vs -40%).
- •Murwillumbah Public School is a government school while The Small School 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 Murwillumbah Public School better than The Small School?
On the Success Index, The Small School ranks higher (63.8 vs 38.1 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 Murwillumbah Public School and The Small School?
About 555 m in a straight line, between Murwillumbah and Murwillumbah in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Murwillumbah Public School has 8.5 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and The Small School has 10.8.
How do Murwillumbah Public School and The Small School rank in NSW?
Murwillumbah Public School is 1138th of 1,619 and The Small School is unranked among primary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.