Cairns West State School vs Rasmussen State School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in Queensland, 291 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Cairns West State School
Manunda · Government primary · Prep-6
481 students · ICSEA 784
Rasmussen State School
Rasmussen · Government primary · Prep-6
336 students · ICSEA 784
| Measure | Cairns West State School Manunda QLD | Rasmussen State School Rasmussen QLD |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 23 Lower 50% | 15 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #720 of 804 | #798 of 804 |
| National rank (type) | #4652 of 4,908 | #4894 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | Prep-6 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 481 | 336 |
| Girls / boys | 229 / 252 | 159 / 177 |
| Foundation intake | 61 | 38 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -29% | -21% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 784 | 784 |
| ICSEA percentile | 2th | 2th |
| Top SEA quarter | 1% | 1% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 78% | 78% |
| Students per teacher | 11.5 | 13.5 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 41.8 | 24.9 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 27.7 | 19.2 |
| Language background other than English | 70% | 19% |
| Indigenous students | 59% | 64% |
| Suburb | Manunda 4870 | Rasmussen 4815 |
| Council area | Cairns | Townsville |
| Remoteness | Outer Regional | Outer Regional |
| Website | cairnswestss.eq.edu.au | rasmussenss.eq.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Cairns West State School scores higher on the Success Index (22.5 vs 14.9).
- •Cairns West State School has fewer students per teacher (11.5 vs 13.5).
- •Cairns West State School is the larger school with 481 students compared with 336.
- •Rasmussen State School has grown faster over five years (-21% vs -29%).
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 West State School better than Rasmussen State School?
On the Success Index, Cairns West State School ranks higher (22.5 vs 14.9 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 West State School and Rasmussen State School?
About 291 km in a straight line, between Manunda and Rasmussen in Queensland.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Cairns West State School has 11.5 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Rasmussen State School has 13.5.
How do Cairns West State School and Rasmussen State School rank in QLD?
Cairns West State School is 720th of 804 and Rasmussen State School is 798th of 804 among primary schools in Queensland on the 2025 Success Index.