Cairns School of Distance Education vs The BUSY School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Queensland, 749 m 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
The BUSY School
Cairns · Independent high school · 11-12
1,780 students · ICSEA 975
| Measure | Cairns School of Distance Education Manunda QLD | The BUSY School Cairns QLD |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 55 Top 50% | 41 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #106 of 275 | #146 of 269 |
| National rank (type) | #556 of 1,259 | #923 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Government | Independent |
| Type | Combined | Secondary |
| Year range | Prep-12 | 11-12 |
| Students | 3,692 | 1,780 |
| Girls / boys | 2,080 / 1,612 | 926 / 854 |
| Foundation intake | 14 | – |
| Year 7 cohort | 168 | – |
| Year 12 cohort | 371 | 800 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +17% | +3323% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1024 | 975 |
| ICSEA percentile | 57th | 36th |
| Top SEA quarter | 20% | 11% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 23% | 36% |
| Students per teacher | 10.6 | 20.9 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 163.3 | 85.1 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 49.4 | 127.1 |
| Language background other than English | 14% | 0% |
| Indigenous students | 17% | 14% |
| Suburb | Manunda 4870 | Cairns 4870 |
| Council area | Cairns | Cairns |
| Remoteness | Outer Regional | Outer Regional |
| Website | cairnssde.eq.edu.au | busyschools.qld.edu.au/ |
The verdict
- •Cairns School of Distance Education scores higher on the Success Index (54.5 vs 41.2).
- •Cairns School of Distance Education has the higher ICSEA (1024 vs 975), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Cairns School of Distance Education has fewer students per teacher (10.6 vs 20.9).
- •Cairns School of Distance Education is the larger school with 3,692 students compared with 1,780.
- •The BUSY School has grown faster over five years (3323% vs 17%).
- •Cairns School of Distance Education is a government school while The BUSY School is an independent 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 School of Distance Education better than The BUSY School?
On the Success Index, Cairns School of Distance Education ranks higher (54.5 vs 41.2 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 The BUSY School?
About 749 m in a straight line, between Manunda and Cairns 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 The BUSY School has 20.9.
How do Cairns School of Distance Education and The BUSY School rank in QLD?
Cairns School of Distance Education is 106th of 275 and The BUSY School is 146th of 269 among combined schools in Queensland on the 2025 Success Index.