Bucasia State School vs Mackay Northern Beaches State High School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Queensland, 4.0 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Bucasia State School
Bucasia · Government primary · Prep-6
476 students · ICSEA 962
Mackay Northern Beaches State High School
Rural View · Government high school · 7-12
1,012 students · ICSEA 950
| Measure | Bucasia State School Bucasia QLD | Mackay Northern Beaches State High School Rural View QLD |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 32 Lower 50% | 27 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #569 of 804 | #220 of 269 |
| National rank (type) | #3970 of 4,908 | #1258 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Primary | Secondary |
| Year range | Prep-6 | 7-12 |
| Students | 476 | 1,012 |
| Girls / boys | 211 / 265 | 464 / 548 |
| Foundation intake | 62 | – |
| Year 7 cohort | – | 192 |
| Year 12 cohort | – | 137 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +8% | +0% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 962 | 950 |
| ICSEA percentile | 29th | 25th |
| Top SEA quarter | 7% | 3% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 42% | 44% |
| Students per teacher | 15.3 | 12.5 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 31.2 | 80.8 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 17.1 | 40.8 |
| Language background other than English | 7% | 10% |
| Indigenous students | 14% | 13% |
| Suburb | Bucasia 4750 | Rural View 4740 |
| Council area | Mackay | Mackay |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | bucasiass.eq.edu.au | macknorthbeachesshs.eq.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Bucasia State School scores higher on the Success Index (32.2 vs 27.0).
- •Bucasia State School has the higher ICSEA (962 vs 950), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Mackay Northern Beaches State High School has fewer students per teacher (12.5 vs 15.3).
- •Mackay Northern Beaches State High School is the larger school with 1,012 students compared with 476.
- •Bucasia State School has grown faster over five years (8% vs 0%).
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 Bucasia State School better than Mackay Northern Beaches State High School?
On the Success Index, Bucasia State School ranks higher (32.2 vs 27.0 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 Bucasia State School and Mackay Northern Beaches State High School?
About 4.0 km in a straight line, between Bucasia and Rural View in Queensland.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Bucasia State School has 15.3 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Mackay Northern Beaches State High School has 12.5.
How do Bucasia State School and Mackay Northern Beaches State High School rank in QLD?
Bucasia State School is 569th of 804 and Mackay Northern Beaches State High School is 220th of 269 among primary schools in Queensland on the 2025 Success Index.