Cairns State High School vs St Joseph's School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Queensland, 1.2 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
St Joseph's School
Parramatta Park · Catholic primary · Prep-6
348 students · ICSEA 1029
| Measure | Cairns State High School Cairns North QLD | St Joseph's School Parramatta Park QLD |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 51 Top 50% | 49 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #106 of 269 | #348 of 804 |
| National rank (type) | #718 of 1,472 | #2797 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Secondary | Primary |
| Year range | 7-12 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 1,636 | 348 |
| Girls / boys | 846 / 790 | 148 / 200 |
| Foundation intake | – | 44 |
| Year 7 cohort | 283 | – |
| Year 12 cohort | 234 | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -2% | -9% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1019 | 1029 |
| ICSEA percentile | 56th | 59th |
| Top SEA quarter | 21% | 19% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 19% | 11% |
| Students per teacher | 13.2 | 16.3 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 124.1 | 21.4 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 50.3 | 15.3 |
| Language background other than English | 42% | 14% |
| Indigenous students | 14% | 12% |
| Suburb | Cairns North 4870 | Parramatta Park 4870 |
| Council area | Cairns | Cairns |
| Remoteness | Outer Regional | Outer Regional |
| Website | cairnsshs.eq.edu.au | www.stjosephscairns.qld.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Cairns State High School scores higher on the Success Index (51.1 vs 48.6).
- •St Joseph's School has the higher ICSEA (1029 vs 1019), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Cairns State High School has fewer students per teacher (13.2 vs 16.3).
- •Cairns State High School is the larger school with 1,636 students compared with 348.
- •Cairns State High School has grown faster over five years (-2% vs -9%).
- •Cairns State High School is a government school while St Joseph'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 State High School better than St Joseph's School?
On the Success Index, Cairns State High School ranks higher (51.1 vs 48.6 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 St Joseph's School?
About 1.2 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 St Joseph's School has 16.3.
How do Cairns State High School and St Joseph's School rank in QLD?
Cairns State High School is 106th of 269 and St Joseph's School is 348th of 804 among secondary schools in Queensland on the 2025 Success Index.