Novo Education Space vs Smiths Hill High School
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.
Novo Education Space
Wollongong · Independent special · 9-12
44 students · ICSEA 983
Smiths Hill High School
Wollongong · Government high school · 7-12
736 students · ICSEA 1186
| Measure | Novo Education Space Wollongong NSW | Smiths Hill High School Wollongong NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | – Not rated | 74 Top 25% |
| State rank (type) | – | #64 of 539 |
| National rank (type) | – | #180 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Independent | Government |
| Type | Special | Secondary |
| Year range | 9-12 | 7-12 |
| Students | 44 | 736 |
| Girls / boys | 25 / 19 | 320 / 416 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | – | 120 |
| Year 12 cohort | 7 | 134 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -50% | +1% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 983 | 1186 |
| ICSEA percentile | 39th | 99th |
| Top SEA quarter | 11% | 67% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 39% | 2% |
| Students per teacher | 4.9 | 13.4 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 9.0 | 55.0 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 6.8 | 10.7 |
| Language background other than English | 4% | 42% |
| Indigenous students | 11% | 1% |
| Suburb | Wollongong 2500 | Wollongong 2500 |
| Council area | Wollongong | Wollongong |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.alescoillawarra.nsw.edu.au | smithshill-h.schools.nsw.gov.au |
The verdict
- •Smiths Hill High School has the higher ICSEA (1186 vs 983), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Novo Education Space has fewer students per teacher (4.9 vs 13.4).
- •Smiths Hill High School is the larger school with 736 students compared with 44.
- •Smiths Hill High School has grown faster over five years (1% vs -50%).
- •Novo Education Space is a independent school while Smiths Hill 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 Novo Education Space better than Smiths Hill High 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 Novo Education Space and Smiths Hill High School?
About 1.5 km in a straight line, between Wollongong and Wollongong in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Novo Education Space has 4.9 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Smiths Hill High School has 13.4.
How do Novo Education Space and Smiths Hill High School rank in NSW?
Novo Education Space is unranked and Smiths Hill High School is 64th of 539 among special schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.