Cairns West State School vs The BUSY School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Queensland, 1.6 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
The BUSY School
Cairns · Independent high school · 11-12
1,780 students · ICSEA 975
| Measure | Cairns West State School Manunda QLD | The BUSY School Cairns QLD |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 23 Lower 50% | 41 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #720 of 804 | #146 of 269 |
| National rank (type) | #4652 of 4,908 | #923 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Government | Independent |
| Type | Primary | Secondary |
| Year range | Prep-6 | 11-12 |
| Students | 481 | 1,780 |
| Girls / boys | 229 / 252 | 926 / 854 |
| Foundation intake | 61 | – |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | 800 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -29% | +3323% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 784 | 975 |
| ICSEA percentile | 2th | 36th |
| Top SEA quarter | 1% | 11% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 78% | 36% |
| Students per teacher | 11.5 | 20.9 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 41.8 | 85.1 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 27.7 | 127.1 |
| Language background other than English | 70% | 0% |
| Indigenous students | 59% | 14% |
| Suburb | Manunda 4870 | Cairns 4870 |
| Council area | Cairns | Cairns |
| Remoteness | Outer Regional | Outer Regional |
| Website | cairnswestss.eq.edu.au | busyschools.qld.edu.au/ |
The verdict
- •The BUSY School scores higher on the Success Index (41.2 vs 22.5).
- •The BUSY School has the higher ICSEA (975 vs 784), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Cairns West State School has fewer students per teacher (11.5 vs 20.9).
- •The BUSY School is the larger school with 1,780 students compared with 481.
- •The BUSY School has grown faster over five years (3323% vs -29%).
- •Cairns West State 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 West State School better than The BUSY School?
On the Success Index, The BUSY School ranks higher (41.2 vs 22.5 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 The BUSY School?
About 1.6 km in a straight line, between Manunda and Cairns in Queensland.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Cairns West State School has 11.5 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and The BUSY School has 20.9.
How do Cairns West State School and The BUSY School rank in QLD?
Cairns West State School is 720th of 804 and The BUSY School is 146th of 269 among primary schools in Queensland on the 2025 Success Index.