Clifton State High School vs St Francis De Sales School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Queensland, 1.3 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Clifton State High School
Clifton · Government high school · 7-12
310 students · ICSEA 965
St Francis De Sales School
Clifton · Catholic primary · Prep-6
43 students · ICSEA 984
| Measure | Clifton State High School Clifton QLD | St Francis De Sales School Clifton QLD |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 50 Lower 50% | 42 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #112 of 269 | – |
| National rank (type) | #746 of 1,472 | – |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Secondary | Primary |
| Year range | 7-12 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 310 | 43 |
| Girls / boys | 149 / 161 | 13 / 30 |
| Foundation intake | – | 6 |
| Year 7 cohort | 67 | – |
| Year 12 cohort | 40 | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +30% | -31% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 965 | 984 |
| ICSEA percentile | 31th | 40th |
| Top SEA quarter | 5% | 8% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 42% | 30% |
| Students per teacher | 10.1 | 10.2 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 30.7 | 4.2 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 18.3 | 2.7 |
| Language background other than English | 7% | 20% |
| Indigenous students | 10% | 14% |
| Suburb | Clifton 4361 | Clifton 4361 |
| Council area | Toowoomba | Toowoomba |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | cliftonshs.eq.edu.au | www.clifton.catholic.edu.au/ |
The verdict
- •Clifton State High School scores higher on the Success Index (49.8 vs 42.1).
- •St Francis De Sales School has the higher ICSEA (984 vs 965), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Clifton State High School is the larger school with 310 students compared with 43.
- •Clifton State High School has grown faster over five years (30% vs -31%).
- •Clifton State High School is a government school while St Francis De Sales 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 Clifton State High School better than St Francis De Sales School?
On the Success Index, Clifton State High School ranks higher (49.8 vs 42.1 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 Clifton State High School and St Francis De Sales School?
About 1.3 km in a straight line, between Clifton and Clifton in Queensland.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Clifton State High School has 10.1 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Francis De Sales School has 10.2.
How do Clifton State High School and St Francis De Sales School rank in QLD?
Clifton State High School is 112th of 269 and St Francis De Sales School is unranked among secondary schools in Queensland on the 2025 Success Index.