Nowra High School vs Shoalhaven River College
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 1.8 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 River College
Bomaderry · Independent special · 9-12
48 students · ICSEA 931
| Measure | Nowra High School Nowra NSW | Shoalhaven River College Bomaderry NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 29 Lower 50% | – Not rated |
| State rank (type) | #442 of 539 | – |
| National rank (type) | #1206 of 1,472 | – |
| Sector | Government | Independent |
| Type | Secondary | Special |
| Year range | 7-12 | 9-12 |
| Students | 777 | 48 |
| Girls / boys | 416 / 361 | 31 / 17 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | 142 | – |
| Year 12 cohort | 85 | 3 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -13% | +7% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 944 | 931 |
| ICSEA percentile | 22th | 18th |
| Top SEA quarter | 7% | 7% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 46% | 41% |
| Students per teacher | 11.6 | 7.6 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 66.7 | 6.3 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 20.7 | 6.8 |
| Language background other than English | 8% | 0% |
| Indigenous students | 21% | 38% |
| Suburb | Nowra 2541 | Bomaderry 2541 |
| Council area | Shoalhaven | Shoalhaven |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | nowra-h.schools.nsw.gov.au | shoalhavenrivercollege.org.au/ |
The verdict
- •Nowra High School has the higher ICSEA (944 vs 931), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Shoalhaven River College has fewer students per teacher (7.6 vs 11.6).
- •Nowra High School is the larger school with 777 students compared with 48.
- •Shoalhaven River College has grown faster over five years (7% vs -13%).
- •Nowra High School is a government school while Shoalhaven River College 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 Nowra High School better than Shoalhaven River College?
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 Nowra High School and Shoalhaven River College?
About 1.8 km in a straight line, between Nowra and Bomaderry 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 River College has 7.6.
How do Nowra High School and Shoalhaven River College rank in NSW?
Nowra High School is 442nd of 539 and Shoalhaven River College is unranked among secondary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.