Cairns School of Distance Education vs Parramatta State School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Queensland, 1.3 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Cairns School of Distance Education
Manunda · Government combined · Prep-12
3,692 students · ICSEA 1024
Parramatta State School
Parramatta Park · Government primary · Prep-6
482 students · ICSEA 887
| Measure | Cairns School of Distance Education Manunda QLD | Parramatta State School Parramatta Park QLD |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 55 Top 50% | 39 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #106 of 275 | #481 of 804 |
| National rank (type) | #556 of 1,259 | #3481 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Combined | Primary |
| Year range | Prep-12 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 3,692 | 482 |
| Girls / boys | 2,080 / 1,612 | 234 / 248 |
| Foundation intake | 14 | 64 |
| Year 7 cohort | 168 | – |
| Year 12 cohort | 371 | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +17% | +42% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1024 | 887 |
| ICSEA percentile | 57th | 8th |
| Top SEA quarter | 20% | 6% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 23% | 54% |
| Students per teacher | 10.6 | 10.4 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 163.3 | 46.4 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 49.4 | 24.4 |
| Language background other than English | 14% | 50% |
| Indigenous students | 17% | 45% |
| Suburb | Manunda 4870 | Parramatta Park 4870 |
| Council area | Cairns | Cairns |
| Remoteness | Outer Regional | Outer Regional |
| Website | cairnssde.eq.edu.au | parramattass.eq.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Cairns School of Distance Education scores higher on the Success Index (54.5 vs 39.2).
- •Cairns School of Distance Education has the higher ICSEA (1024 vs 887), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Cairns School of Distance Education is the larger school with 3,692 students compared with 482.
- •Parramatta State School has grown faster over five years (42% vs 17%).
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 School of Distance Education better than Parramatta State School?
On the Success Index, Cairns School of Distance Education ranks higher (54.5 vs 39.2 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 School of Distance Education and Parramatta State School?
About 1.3 km in a straight line, between Manunda and Parramatta Park in Queensland.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Cairns School of Distance Education has 10.6 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Parramatta State School has 10.4.
How do Cairns School of Distance Education and Parramatta State School rank in QLD?
Cairns School of Distance Education is 106th of 275 and Parramatta State School is 481st of 804 among combined schools in Queensland on the 2025 Success Index.