Sathya Sai College vs The Small School
A head-to-head comparison of two combined schools in New South Wales, 397 m apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Sathya Sai College
Murwillumbah · Independent combined · K-12
280 students · ICSEA 1046
The Small School
Murwillumbah · Independent combined · K-10
67 students · ICSEA 1071
| Measure | Sathya Sai College Murwillumbah NSW | The Small School Murwillumbah NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 57 Top 50% | 64 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #166 of 314 | – |
| National rank (type) | #517 of 1,259 | – |
| Sector | Independent | Independent |
| Type | Combined | Combined |
| Year range | K-12 | K-10 |
| Students | 280 | 67 |
| Girls / boys | 146 / 134 | 35 / 32 |
| Foundation intake | 15 | 6 |
| Year 7 cohort | 36 | 6 |
| Year 12 cohort | 12 | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +14% | +168% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1046 | 1071 |
| ICSEA percentile | 67th | 76th |
| Top SEA quarter | 20% | 29% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 17% | 10% |
| Students per teacher | 9.4 | 10.8 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 29.7 | 6.2 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 10.2 | 6.4 |
| Language background other than English | 18% | 15% |
| Indigenous students | 2% | 3% |
| Suburb | Murwillumbah 2484 | Murwillumbah 2484 |
| Council area | Tweed | Tweed |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | www.sathyasai.nsw.edu.au | www.thesmallschool.org.au/ |
The verdict
- •The Small School scores higher on the Success Index (63.8 vs 56.6).
- •The Small School has the higher ICSEA (1071 vs 1046), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Sathya Sai College has fewer students per teacher (9.4 vs 10.8).
- •Sathya Sai College is the larger school with 280 students compared with 67.
- •The Small School has grown faster over five years (168% vs 14%).
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 Sathya Sai College better than The Small School?
On the Success Index, The Small School ranks higher (63.8 vs 56.6 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 Sathya Sai College and The Small School?
About 397 m in a straight line, between Murwillumbah and Murwillumbah in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Sathya Sai College has 9.4 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and The Small School has 10.8.
How do Sathya Sai College and The Small School rank in NSW?
Sathya Sai College is 166th of 314 and The Small School is unranked among combined schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.