Shoalhaven High School vs St John the Evangelist Catholic High School
A head-to-head comparison of two secondary schools in New South Wales, 491 m apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Shoalhaven High School
Nowra · Government high school · 7-12
610 students · ICSEA 862
St John the Evangelist Catholic High School
Nowra · Catholic high school · 7-12
935 students · ICSEA 1028
| Measure | Shoalhaven High School Nowra NSW | St John the Evangelist Catholic High School Nowra NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 26 Lower 50% | 60 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #475 of 539 | #206 of 539 |
| National rank (type) | #1296 of 1,472 | #517 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Secondary | Secondary |
| Year range | 7-12 | 7-12 |
| Students | 610 | 935 |
| Girls / boys | 287 / 323 | 468 / 467 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | 124 | 178 |
| Year 12 cohort | 48 | 109 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +5% | 0% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 862 | 1028 |
| ICSEA percentile | 6th | 59th |
| Top SEA quarter | 2% | 18% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 69% | 19% |
| Students per teacher | 9.1 | 12.1 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 67.2 | 77.2 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 22.5 | 29.3 |
| Language background other than English | 4% | 5% |
| Indigenous students | 36% | 10% |
| Suburb | Nowra 2541 | Nowra 2541 |
| Council area | Shoalhaven | Shoalhaven |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | shoalhaven-h.schools.nsw.gov.au | www.sjedow.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St John the Evangelist Catholic High School scores higher on the Success Index (59.9 vs 25.5).
- •St John the Evangelist Catholic High School has the higher ICSEA (1028 vs 862), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Shoalhaven High School has fewer students per teacher (9.1 vs 12.1).
- •St John the Evangelist Catholic High School is the larger school with 935 students compared with 610.
- •Shoalhaven High School has grown faster over five years (5% vs 0%).
- •Shoalhaven High School is a government school while St John the Evangelist Catholic High School is a catholic 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.
Free academic assessment
Torn between two schools? Start with your child.
Whichever you choose, a free Success Tutoring assessment shows exactly where your child is in English and Maths and how to get ahead before the next school year.
- Personalised learning plan mapped to the Australian Curriculum
- English & Maths from Kindergarten to Year 12
- Flexible memberships, no lock-in contracts
- Your nearest centre: Success Tutoring Camden
Frequently asked questions
Is Shoalhaven High School better than St John the Evangelist Catholic High School?
On the Success Index, St John the Evangelist Catholic High School ranks higher (59.9 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 Shoalhaven High School and St John the Evangelist Catholic High School?
About 491 m in a straight line, between Nowra and Nowra in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Shoalhaven High School has 9.1 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St John the Evangelist Catholic High School has 12.1.
How do Shoalhaven High School and St John the Evangelist Catholic High School rank in NSW?
Shoalhaven High School is 475th of 539 and St John the Evangelist Catholic High School is 206th of 539 among secondary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.