St John's College vs The Rivers Secondary College, Richmond River High Campus
A head-to-head comparison of two secondary schools in New South Wales, 2.6 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
St John's College
Lismore · Catholic high school · 7-12
774 students · ICSEA 1059
The Rivers Secondary College, Richmond River High Campus
North Lismore · Government high school · 7-12
494 students · ICSEA 950
| Measure | St John's College Lismore NSW | The Rivers Secondary College, Richmond River High Campus North Lismore NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 69 Top 25% | 35 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #121 of 539 | #380 of 539 |
| National rank (type) | #307 of 1,472 | #1065 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Catholic | Government |
| Type | Secondary | Secondary |
| Year range | 7-12 | 7-12 |
| Students | 774 | 494 |
| Girls / boys | 385 / 389 | 232 / 262 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | 156 | 86 |
| Year 12 cohort | 97 | 57 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +3% | -30% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1059 | 950 |
| ICSEA percentile | 72th | 25th |
| Top SEA quarter | 25% | 8% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 13% | 48% |
| Students per teacher | 11.9 | 8.5 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 65.2 | 58.2 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 27.0 | 13.3 |
| Language background other than English | 3% | 8% |
| Indigenous students | 4% | 19% |
| Suburb | Lismore 2480 | North Lismore 2480 |
| Council area | Lismore | Lismore |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | www.lisjclism.catholic.edu.au | richmondri-h.schools.nsw.gov.au |
The verdict
- •St John's College scores higher on the Success Index (69.0 vs 34.9).
- •St John's College has the higher ICSEA (1059 vs 950), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •The Rivers Secondary College, Richmond River High Campus has fewer students per teacher (8.5 vs 11.9).
- •St John's College is the larger school with 774 students compared with 494.
- •St John's College has grown faster over five years (3% vs -30%).
- •St John's College is a catholic school while The Rivers Secondary College, Richmond River High Campus is a government 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 St John's College better than The Rivers Secondary College, Richmond River High Campus?
On the Success Index, St John's College ranks higher (69.0 vs 34.9 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 St John's College and The Rivers Secondary College, Richmond River High Campus?
About 2.6 km in a straight line, between Lismore and North Lismore in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
St John's College has 11.9 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and The Rivers Secondary College, Richmond River High Campus has 8.5.
How do St John's College and The Rivers Secondary College, Richmond River High Campus rank in NSW?
St John's College is 121st of 539 and The Rivers Secondary College, Richmond River High Campus is 380th of 539 among secondary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.