Brightwater State School vs Kawana Waters State College
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Queensland, 3.8 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Brightwater State School
Mountain Creek · Government primary · Prep-6
733 students · ICSEA 1055
Kawana Waters State College
Bokarina · Government combined · Prep-12
2,495 students · ICSEA 1034
| Measure | Brightwater State School Mountain Creek QLD | Kawana Waters State College Bokarina QLD |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 56 Top 50% | 55 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #255 of 804 | #104 of 275 |
| National rank (type) | #2250 of 4,908 | #545 of 1,259 |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Primary | Combined |
| Year range | Prep-6 | Prep-12 |
| Students | 733 | 2,495 |
| Girls / boys | 367 / 366 | 1,339 / 1,156 |
| Foundation intake | 83 | 69 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | 246 |
| Year 12 cohort | – | 258 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -30% | +40% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1055 | 1034 |
| ICSEA percentile | 70th | 62th |
| Top SEA quarter | 23% | 18% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 15% | 20% |
| Students per teacher | 15.0 | 12.4 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 48.6 | 166.0 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 18.1 | 57.3 |
| Language background other than English | 19% | 12% |
| Indigenous students | 3% | 6% |
| Suburb | Mountain Creek 4557 | Bokarina 4575 |
| Council area | Sunshine Coast | Sunshine Coast |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | brightwaterss.eq.edu.au | kawanawaterssc.eq.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Both schools have almost identical Success Index scores (56.0 vs 55.1).
- •Brightwater State School has the higher ICSEA (1055 vs 1034), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Kawana Waters State College has fewer students per teacher (12.4 vs 15.0).
- •Kawana Waters State College is the larger school with 2,495 students compared with 733.
- •Kawana Waters State College has grown faster over five years (40% vs -30%).
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 Brightwater State School better than Kawana Waters State College?
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 Brightwater State School and Kawana Waters State College?
About 3.8 km in a straight line, between Mountain Creek and Bokarina in Queensland.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Brightwater State School has 15.0 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Kawana Waters State College has 12.4.
How do Brightwater State School and Kawana Waters State College rank in QLD?
Brightwater State School is 255th of 804 and Kawana Waters State College is 104th of 275 among primary schools in Queensland on the 2025 Success Index.