Bowen State High School vs Merinda State School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Queensland, 7.9 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Bowen State High School
Bowen · Government high school · 7-12
679 students · ICSEA 919
Merinda State School
Bowen · Government primary · Prep-6
41 students · ICSEA 881
| Measure | Bowen State High School Bowen QLD | Merinda State School Bowen QLD |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 24 Lower 50% | 24 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #238 of 269 | – |
| National rank (type) | #1341 of 1,472 | – |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Secondary | Primary |
| Year range | 7-12 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 679 | 41 |
| Girls / boys | 328 / 351 | 16 / 25 |
| Foundation intake | – | 3 |
| Year 7 cohort | 138 | – |
| Year 12 cohort | 80 | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -3% | +21% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 919 | 881 |
| ICSEA percentile | 15th | 8th |
| Top SEA quarter | 4% | 2% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 51% | 62% |
| Students per teacher | 12.2 | 8.5 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 55.6 | 4.8 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 33.4 | 4.6 |
| Language background other than English | 10% | 7% |
| Indigenous students | 23% | 27% |
| Suburb | Bowen 4805 | Bowen 4805 |
| Council area | Whitsunday | Whitsunday |
| Remoteness | Outer Regional | Outer Regional |
| Website | bowenshs.eq.edu.au | merindass.eq.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Both schools have almost identical Success Index scores (23.6 vs 23.5).
- •Bowen State High School has the higher ICSEA (919 vs 881), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Merinda State School has fewer students per teacher (8.5 vs 12.2).
- •Bowen State High School is the larger school with 679 students compared with 41.
- •Merinda State School has grown faster over five years (21% vs -3%).
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 Bowen State High School better than Merinda State 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 Bowen State High School and Merinda State School?
About 7.9 km in a straight line, between Bowen and Bowen in Queensland.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Bowen State High School has 12.2 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Merinda State School has 8.5.
How do Bowen State High School and Merinda State School rank in QLD?
Bowen State High School is 238th of 269 and Merinda State School is unranked among secondary schools in Queensland on the 2025 Success Index.