Cairns West State School vs Whitfield State School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in Queensland, 2.0 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
Whitfield State School
Whitfield · Government primary · Prep-6
774 students · ICSEA 974
| Measure | Cairns West State School Manunda QLD | Whitfield State School Whitfield QLD |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 23 Lower 50% | 40 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #720 of 804 | #473 of 804 |
| National rank (type) | #4652 of 4,908 | #3432 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | Prep-6 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 481 | 774 |
| Girls / boys | 229 / 252 | 393 / 381 |
| Foundation intake | 61 | 109 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -29% | -3% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 784 | 974 |
| ICSEA percentile | 2th | 35th |
| Top SEA quarter | 1% | 14% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 78% | 30% |
| Students per teacher | 11.5 | 15.8 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 41.8 | 49.0 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 27.7 | 27.8 |
| Language background other than English | 70% | 32% |
| Indigenous students | 59% | 23% |
| Suburb | Manunda 4870 | Whitfield 4870 |
| Council area | Cairns | Cairns |
| Remoteness | Outer Regional | Outer Regional |
| Website | cairnswestss.eq.edu.au | whitfieldss.eq.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Whitfield State School scores higher on the Success Index (39.9 vs 22.5).
- •Whitfield State School has the higher ICSEA (974 vs 784), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Cairns West State School has fewer students per teacher (11.5 vs 15.8).
- •Whitfield State School is the larger school with 774 students compared with 481.
- •Whitfield State School has grown faster over five years (-3% 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 Whitfield State School?
On the Success Index, Whitfield State School ranks higher (39.9 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 Whitfield State School?
About 2.0 km in a straight line, between Manunda and Whitfield in Queensland.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Cairns West State School has 11.5 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Whitfield State School has 15.8.
How do Cairns West State School and Whitfield State School rank in QLD?
Cairns West State School is 720th of 804 and Whitfield State School is 473rd of 804 among primary schools in Queensland on the 2025 Success Index.