Para Meadows School vs Smiths Hill High School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 1.1 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Para Meadows School
North Wollongong · Government special · U
113 students · ICSEA 945
Smiths Hill High School
Wollongong · Government high school · 7-12
736 students · ICSEA 1186
| Measure | Para Meadows School North 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 | Government | Government |
| Type | Special | Secondary |
| Year range | U | 7-12 |
| Students | 113 | 736 |
| Girls / boys | 30 / 83 | 320 / 416 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | – | 120 |
| Year 12 cohort | – | 134 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +3% | +1% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 945 | 1186 |
| ICSEA percentile | 23th | 99th |
| Top SEA quarter | 11% | 67% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 47% | 2% |
| Students per teacher | 4.5 | 13.4 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 25.2 | 55.0 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 21.0 | 10.7 |
| Language background other than English | 23% | 42% |
| Indigenous students | 19% | 1% |
| Suburb | North Wollongong 2500 | Wollongong 2500 |
| Council area | Wollongong | Wollongong |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | parameadow-s.schools.nsw.gov.au | smithshill-h.schools.nsw.gov.au |
The verdict
- •Smiths Hill High School has the higher ICSEA (1186 vs 945), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Para Meadows School has fewer students per teacher (4.5 vs 13.4).
- •Smiths Hill High School is the larger school with 736 students compared with 113.
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 Para Meadows School 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 Para Meadows School and Smiths Hill High School?
About 1.1 km in a straight line, between North Wollongong and Wollongong in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Para Meadows School has 4.5 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Smiths Hill High School has 13.4.
How do Para Meadows School and Smiths Hill High School rank in NSW?
Para Meadows School is unranked and Smiths Hill High School is 64th of 539 among special schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.