Cairns State High School vs The BUSY School
A head-to-head comparison of two secondary schools in Queensland, 1.3 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
The BUSY School
Cairns · Independent high school · 11-12
1,780 students · ICSEA 975
| Measure | Cairns State High School Cairns North QLD | The BUSY School Cairns QLD |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 51 Top 50% | 41 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #106 of 269 | #146 of 269 |
| National rank (type) | #718 of 1,472 | #923 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Government | Independent |
| Type | Secondary | Secondary |
| Year range | 7-12 | 11-12 |
| Students | 1,636 | 1,780 |
| Girls / boys | 846 / 790 | 926 / 854 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | 283 | – |
| Year 12 cohort | 234 | 800 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -2% | +3323% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1019 | 975 |
| ICSEA percentile | 56th | 36th |
| Top SEA quarter | 21% | 11% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 19% | 36% |
| Students per teacher | 13.2 | 20.9 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 124.1 | 85.1 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 50.3 | 127.1 |
| Language background other than English | 42% | 0% |
| Indigenous students | 14% | 14% |
| Suburb | Cairns North 4870 | Cairns 4870 |
| Council area | Cairns | Cairns |
| Remoteness | Outer Regional | Outer Regional |
| Website | cairnsshs.eq.edu.au | busyschools.qld.edu.au/ |
The verdict
- •Cairns State High School scores higher on the Success Index (51.1 vs 41.2).
- •Cairns State High School has the higher ICSEA (1019 vs 975), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Cairns State High School has fewer students per teacher (13.2 vs 20.9).
- •The BUSY School is the larger school with 1,780 students compared with 1,636.
- •The BUSY School has grown faster over five years (3323% vs -2%).
- •Cairns State High School 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 State High School better than The BUSY School?
On the Success Index, Cairns State High School ranks higher (51.1 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 State High School and The BUSY School?
About 1.3 km in a straight line, between Cairns North and Cairns in Queensland.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Cairns State High School has 13.2 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and The BUSY School has 20.9.
How do Cairns State High School and The BUSY School rank in QLD?
Cairns State High School is 106th of 269 and The BUSY School is 146th of 269 among secondary schools in Queensland on the 2025 Success Index.