Cairns State High School vs Parramatta State School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Queensland, 1.1 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Cairns State High School
Cairns North · Government high school · 7-12
1,636 students · ICSEA 1019
Parramatta State School
Parramatta Park · Government primary · Prep-6
482 students · ICSEA 887
| Measure | Cairns State High School Cairns North QLD | Parramatta State School Parramatta Park QLD |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 51 Top 50% | 39 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #106 of 269 | #481 of 804 |
| National rank (type) | #718 of 1,472 | #3481 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Secondary | Primary |
| Year range | 7-12 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 1,636 | 482 |
| Girls / boys | 846 / 790 | 234 / 248 |
| Foundation intake | – | 64 |
| Year 7 cohort | 283 | – |
| Year 12 cohort | 234 | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -2% | +42% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1019 | 887 |
| ICSEA percentile | 56th | 8th |
| Top SEA quarter | 21% | 6% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 19% | 54% |
| Students per teacher | 13.2 | 10.4 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 124.1 | 46.4 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 50.3 | 24.4 |
| Language background other than English | 42% | 50% |
| Indigenous students | 14% | 45% |
| Suburb | Cairns North 4870 | Parramatta Park 4870 |
| Council area | Cairns | Cairns |
| Remoteness | Outer Regional | Outer Regional |
| Website | cairnsshs.eq.edu.au | parramattass.eq.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Cairns State High School scores higher on the Success Index (51.1 vs 39.2).
- •Cairns State High School has the higher ICSEA (1019 vs 887), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Parramatta State School has fewer students per teacher (10.4 vs 13.2).
- •Cairns State High School is the larger school with 1,636 students compared with 482.
- •Parramatta State School has grown faster over five years (42% vs -2%).
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 State High School better than Parramatta State School?
On the Success Index, Cairns State High School ranks higher (51.1 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 State High School and Parramatta State School?
About 1.1 km in a straight line, between Cairns North and Parramatta Park in Queensland.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Cairns State High School has 13.2 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Parramatta State School has 10.4.
How do Cairns State High School and Parramatta State School rank in QLD?
Cairns State High School is 106th of 269 and Parramatta State School is 481st of 804 among secondary schools in Queensland on the 2025 Success Index.