Nowra High School vs Shoalhaven High School
A head-to-head comparison of two secondary schools in New South Wales, 2.9 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Nowra High School
Nowra · Government high school · 7-12
777 students · ICSEA 944
Shoalhaven High School
Nowra · Government high school · 7-12
610 students · ICSEA 862
| Measure | Nowra High School Nowra NSW | Shoalhaven High School Nowra NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 29 Lower 50% | 26 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #442 of 539 | #475 of 539 |
| National rank (type) | #1206 of 1,472 | #1296 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Secondary | Secondary |
| Year range | 7-12 | 7-12 |
| Students | 777 | 610 |
| Girls / boys | 416 / 361 | 287 / 323 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | 142 | 124 |
| Year 12 cohort | 85 | 48 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -13% | +5% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 944 | 862 |
| ICSEA percentile | 22th | 6th |
| Top SEA quarter | 7% | 2% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 46% | 69% |
| Students per teacher | 11.6 | 9.1 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 66.7 | 67.2 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 20.7 | 22.5 |
| Language background other than English | 8% | 4% |
| Indigenous students | 21% | 36% |
| Suburb | Nowra 2541 | Nowra 2541 |
| Council area | Shoalhaven | Shoalhaven |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | nowra-h.schools.nsw.gov.au | shoalhaven-h.schools.nsw.gov.au |
The verdict
- •Nowra High School scores higher on the Success Index (29.1 vs 25.5).
- •Nowra High School has the higher ICSEA (944 vs 862), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Shoalhaven High School has fewer students per teacher (9.1 vs 11.6).
- •Nowra High School is the larger school with 777 students compared with 610.
- •Shoalhaven High School has grown faster over five years (5% vs -13%).
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 Nowra High School better than Shoalhaven High School?
On the Success Index, Nowra High School ranks higher (29.1 vs 25.5 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 Nowra High School and Shoalhaven High School?
About 2.9 km in a straight line, between Nowra and Nowra in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Nowra High School has 11.6 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Shoalhaven High School has 9.1.
How do Nowra High School and Shoalhaven High School rank in NSW?
Nowra High School is 442nd of 539 and Shoalhaven High School is 475th of 539 among secondary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.