Shoalhaven High School vs St Michael's Catholic Primary School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 3.0 km 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 Michael's Catholic Primary School
Nowra · Catholic primary · K-6
537 students · ICSEA 994
| Measure | Shoalhaven High School Nowra NSW | St Michael's Catholic Primary School Nowra NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 26 Lower 50% | 43 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #475 of 539 | #1023 of 1,619 |
| National rank (type) | #1296 of 1,472 | #3191 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Secondary | Primary |
| Year range | 7-12 | K-6 |
| Students | 610 | 537 |
| Girls / boys | 287 / 323 | 281 / 256 |
| Foundation intake | – | 85 |
| Year 7 cohort | 124 | – |
| Year 12 cohort | 48 | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +5% | -1% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 862 | 994 |
| ICSEA percentile | 6th | 44th |
| Top SEA quarter | 2% | 13% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 69% | 25% |
| Students per teacher | 9.1 | 15.3 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 67.2 | 35.0 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 22.5 | 29.9 |
| Language background other than English | 4% | 6% |
| Indigenous students | 36% | 15% |
| Suburb | Nowra 2541 | Nowra 2541 |
| Council area | Shoalhaven | Shoalhaven |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | shoalhaven-h.schools.nsw.gov.au | www.smndow.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Michael's Catholic Primary School scores higher on the Success Index (43.4 vs 25.5).
- •St Michael's Catholic Primary School has the higher ICSEA (994 vs 862), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Shoalhaven High School has fewer students per teacher (9.1 vs 15.3).
- •Shoalhaven High School is the larger school with 610 students compared with 537.
- •Shoalhaven High School has grown faster over five years (5% vs -1%).
- •Shoalhaven High School is a government school while St Michael's Catholic Primary 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.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Shoalhaven High School better than St Michael's Catholic Primary School?
On the Success Index, St Michael's Catholic Primary School ranks higher (43.4 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 Michael's Catholic Primary School?
About 3.0 km 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 Michael's Catholic Primary School has 15.3.
How do Shoalhaven High School and St Michael's Catholic Primary School rank in NSW?
Shoalhaven High School is 475th of 539 and St Michael's Catholic Primary School is 1023rd of 1,619 among secondary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.