Cairns Adventist College vs St Michael's School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Queensland, 2.2 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Cairns Adventist College
Gordonvale · Independent combined · Prep-6
63 students · ICSEA 885
St Michael's School
Gordonvale · Catholic primary · Prep-6
279 students · ICSEA 993
| Measure | Cairns Adventist College Gordonvale QLD | St Michael's School Gordonvale QLD |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 29 Lower 50% | 45 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | – | #407 of 804 |
| National rank (type) | – | #3093 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Independent | Catholic |
| Type | Combined | Primary |
| Year range | Prep-6 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 63 | 279 |
| Girls / boys | 39 / 24 | 133 / 146 |
| Foundation intake | 8 | 35 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -12% | -6% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 885 | 993 |
| ICSEA percentile | 8th | 44th |
| Top SEA quarter | 7% | 10% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 47% | 19% |
| Students per teacher | 9.5 | 14.1 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 6.6 | 19.8 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 5.4 | 9.7 |
| Language background other than English | 18% | 8% |
| Indigenous students | 60% | 16% |
| Suburb | Gordonvale 4865 | Gordonvale 4865 |
| Council area | Cairns | Cairns |
| Remoteness | Outer Regional | Outer Regional |
| Website | www.cas.qld.edu.au | www.stmichael.qld.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Michael's School scores higher on the Success Index (44.9 vs 29.2).
- •St Michael's School has the higher ICSEA (993 vs 885), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Cairns Adventist College has fewer students per teacher (9.5 vs 14.1).
- •St Michael's School is the larger school with 279 students compared with 63.
- •St Michael's School has grown faster over five years (-6% vs -12%).
- •Cairns Adventist College is a independent school while St Michael's School 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 Cairns Adventist College better than St Michael's School?
On the Success Index, St Michael's School ranks higher (44.9 vs 29.2 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 Cairns Adventist College and St Michael's School?
About 2.2 km in a straight line, between Gordonvale and Gordonvale in Queensland.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Cairns Adventist College has 9.5 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Michael's School has 14.1.
How do Cairns Adventist College and St Michael's School rank in QLD?
Cairns Adventist College is unranked and St Michael's School is 407th of 804 among combined schools in Queensland on the 2025 Success Index.