Cairns Adventist College vs Townsville Christian College
A head-to-head comparison of two combined schools in Queensland, 266 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
Townsville Christian College
Vincent · Independent combined · Prep-12
442 students · ICSEA 871
| Measure | Cairns Adventist College Gordonvale QLD | Townsville Christian College Vincent QLD |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 29 Lower 50% | 29 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | – | #229 of 275 |
| National rank (type) | – | #1095 of 1,259 |
| Sector | Independent | Independent |
| Type | Combined | Combined |
| Year range | Prep-6 | Prep-12 |
| Students | 63 | 442 |
| Girls / boys | 39 / 24 | 225 / 217 |
| Foundation intake | 8 | 34 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | 47 |
| Year 12 cohort | – | 13 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -12% | +62% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 885 | 871 |
| ICSEA percentile | 8th | 7th |
| Top SEA quarter | 7% | 4% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 47% | 58% |
| Students per teacher | 9.5 | 15.5 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 6.6 | 28.6 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 5.4 | 35.7 |
| Language background other than English | 18% | 43% |
| Indigenous students | 60% | 40% |
| Suburb | Gordonvale 4865 | Vincent 4814 |
| Council area | Cairns | Townsville |
| Remoteness | Outer Regional | Outer Regional |
| Website | www.cas.qld.edu.au | www.tsvcc.qld.edu.au/ |
The verdict
- •Both schools have almost identical Success Index scores (29.2 vs 29.1).
- •Cairns Adventist College has the higher ICSEA (885 vs 871), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Cairns Adventist College has fewer students per teacher (9.5 vs 15.5).
- •Townsville Christian College is the larger school with 442 students compared with 63.
- •Townsville Christian College has grown faster over five years (62% vs -12%).
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 Townsville Christian 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 Cairns Adventist College and Townsville Christian College?
About 266 km in a straight line, between Gordonvale and Vincent in Queensland.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Cairns Adventist College has 9.5 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Townsville Christian College has 15.5.
How do Cairns Adventist College and Townsville Christian College rank in QLD?
Cairns Adventist College is unranked and Townsville Christian College is 229th of 275 among combined schools in Queensland on the 2025 Success Index.