Para Meadows School vs Wollongong High School of the Performing Arts
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 604 m 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
Wollongong High School of the Performing Arts
Fairy Meadow · Government high school · 7-12
1,169 students · ICSEA 1075
| Measure | Para Meadows School North Wollongong NSW | Wollongong High School of the Performing Arts Fairy Meadow NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | – Not rated | 69 Top 25% |
| State rank (type) | – | #124 of 539 |
| National rank (type) | – | #312 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Special | Secondary |
| Year range | U | 7-12 |
| Students | 113 | 1,169 |
| Girls / boys | 30 / 83 | 796 / 373 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | – | 252 |
| Year 12 cohort | – | 175 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +3% | -3% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 945 | 1075 |
| ICSEA percentile | 23th | 77th |
| Top SEA quarter | 11% | 34% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 47% | 14% |
| Students per teacher | 4.5 | 13.9 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 25.2 | 84.1 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 21.0 | 18.4 |
| Language background other than English | 23% | 27% |
| Indigenous students | 19% | 5% |
| Suburb | North Wollongong 2500 | Fairy Meadow 2519 |
| Council area | Wollongong | Wollongong |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | parameadow-s.schools.nsw.gov.au | wollongong-h.schools.nsw.gov.au |
The verdict
- •Wollongong High School of the Performing Arts has the higher ICSEA (1075 vs 945), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Para Meadows School has fewer students per teacher (4.5 vs 13.9).
- •Wollongong High School of the Performing Arts is the larger school with 1,169 students compared with 113.
- •Para Meadows School has grown faster over five years (3% vs -3%).
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 Wollongong High School of the Performing Arts?
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 Wollongong High School of the Performing Arts?
About 604 m in a straight line, between North Wollongong and Fairy Meadow 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 Wollongong High School of the Performing Arts has 13.9.
How do Para Meadows School and Wollongong High School of the Performing Arts rank in NSW?
Para Meadows School is unranked and Wollongong High School of the Performing Arts is 124th of 539 among special schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.