Blackwater State High School vs Charters Towers State High School
A head-to-head comparison of two secondary schools in Queensland, 473 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Blackwater State High School
Blackwater · Government high school · 7-12
307 students · ICSEA 880
Charters Towers State High School
Charters Towers City · Government high school · 7-12
303 students · ICSEA 879
| Measure | Blackwater State High School Blackwater QLD | Charters Towers State High School Charters Towers City QLD |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 16 Lower 50% | 17 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #262 of 269 | #259 of 269 |
| National rank (type) | #1449 of 1,472 | #1440 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Secondary | Secondary |
| Year range | 7-12 | 7-12 |
| Students | 307 | 303 |
| Girls / boys | 128 / 179 | 149 / 154 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | 61 | 47 |
| Year 12 cohort | 34 | 41 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -13% | -33% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 880 | 879 |
| ICSEA percentile | 7th | 7th |
| Top SEA quarter | 1% | 2% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 64% | 64% |
| Students per teacher | 9.1 | 9.4 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 33.8 | 32.0 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 18.2 | 29.1 |
| Language background other than English | 18% | 5% |
| Indigenous students | 26% | 27% |
| Suburb | Blackwater 4717 | Charters Towers City 4820 |
| Council area | Central Highlands (Qld) | Charters Towers |
| Remoteness | Outer Regional | Outer Regional |
| Website | blackwatershs.eq.edu.au | charterstowersshs.eq.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Both schools have almost identical Success Index scores (16.4 vs 17.2).
- •Blackwater State High School has the higher ICSEA (880 vs 879), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Blackwater State High School is the larger school with 307 students compared with 303.
- •Blackwater State High School has grown faster over five years (-13% vs -33%).
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 Blackwater State High School better than Charters Towers State High School?
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 Blackwater State High School and Charters Towers State High School?
About 473 km in a straight line, between Blackwater and Charters Towers City in Queensland.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Blackwater State High School has 9.1 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Charters Towers State High School has 9.4.
How do Blackwater State High School and Charters Towers State High School rank in QLD?
Blackwater State High School is 262nd of 269 and Charters Towers State High School is 259th of 269 among secondary schools in Queensland on the 2025 Success Index.