Burnside State High School vs St John's College
A head-to-head comparison of two secondary schools in Queensland, 929 m apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Burnside State High School
Burnside · Government high school · 7-12
809 students · ICSEA 988
St John's College
Nambour · Catholic high school · 7-12
927 students · ICSEA 1059
| Measure | Burnside State High School Burnside QLD | St John's College Nambour QLD |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 48 Lower 50% | 62 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #120 of 269 | #53 of 269 |
| National rank (type) | #777 of 1,472 | #462 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Secondary | Secondary |
| Year range | 7-12 | 7-12 |
| Students | 809 | 927 |
| Girls / boys | 410 / 399 | 473 / 454 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | 108 | 175 |
| Year 12 cohort | 93 | 135 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -4% | +10% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 988 | 1059 |
| ICSEA percentile | 41th | 72th |
| Top SEA quarter | 8% | 21% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 37% | 10% |
| Students per teacher | 10.0 | 14.1 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 80.7 | 65.9 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 29.1 | 30.6 |
| Language background other than English | 8% | 3% |
| Indigenous students | 6% | 3% |
| Suburb | Burnside 4560 | Nambour 4560 |
| Council area | Sunshine Coast | Sunshine Coast |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | burnsideshs.eq.edu.au | www.stjohns.qld.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St John's College scores higher on the Success Index (62.1 vs 48.2).
- •St John's College has the higher ICSEA (1059 vs 988), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Burnside State High School has fewer students per teacher (10.0 vs 14.1).
- •St John's College is the larger school with 927 students compared with 809.
- •St John's College has grown faster over five years (10% vs -4%).
- •Burnside State High School is a government school while St John's College is a catholic 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 Burnside State High School better than St John's College?
On the Success Index, St John's College ranks higher (62.1 vs 48.2 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 Burnside State High School and St John's College?
About 929 m in a straight line, between Burnside and Nambour in Queensland.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Burnside State High School has 10.0 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St John's College has 14.1.
How do Burnside State High School and St John's College rank in QLD?
Burnside State High School is 120th of 269 and St John's College is 53rd of 269 among secondary schools in Queensland on the 2025 Success Index.