Cooktown State School vs Holy Spirit College
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Queensland, 100 m apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Cooktown State School
Cooktown · Government combined · Prep-12
376 students · ICSEA 838
Holy Spirit College
Cooktown · Catholic special · 7-12
122 students · ICSEA 811
| Measure | Cooktown State School Cooktown QLD | Holy Spirit College Cooktown QLD |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 22 Lower 50% | – Not rated |
| State rank (type) | #271 of 275 | – |
| National rank (type) | #1227 of 1,259 | – |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Combined | Special |
| Year range | Prep-12 | 7-12 |
| Students | 376 | 122 |
| Girls / boys | 189 / 187 | 60 / 62 |
| Foundation intake | 28 | – |
| Year 7 cohort | 36 | 11 |
| Year 12 cohort | 23 | 17 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -1% | +42% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 838 | 811 |
| ICSEA percentile | 4th | 3th |
| Top SEA quarter | 3% | 2% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 59% | 61% |
| Students per teacher | 10.9 | 8.8 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 34.4 | 13.9 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 16.1 | 17.6 |
| Language background other than English | 45% | 24% |
| Indigenous students | 59% | 65% |
| Suburb | Cooktown 4895 | Cooktown 4895 |
| Council area | Cook | Cook |
| Remoteness | Remote | Remote |
| Website | cooktownss.eq.edu.au | www.holyspiritcollege.qld.edu.au/ |
The verdict
- •Cooktown State School has the higher ICSEA (838 vs 811), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Holy Spirit College has fewer students per teacher (8.8 vs 10.9).
- •Cooktown State School is the larger school with 376 students compared with 122.
- •Holy Spirit College has grown faster over five years (42% vs -1%).
- •Cooktown State School is a government school while Holy Spirit College 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.
Free academic assessment
Torn between two schools? Start with your child.
Whichever you choose, a free Success Tutoring assessment shows exactly where your child is in English and Maths and how to get ahead before the next school year.
- Personalised learning plan mapped to the Australian Curriculum
- English & Maths from Kindergarten to Year 12
- Flexible memberships, no lock-in contracts
- Your nearest centre: Success Tutoring North Lakes
Frequently asked questions
Is Cooktown State School better than Holy Spirit College?
The two schools are very close on the Success Index. Differences in sector, size, year range and distance from home will matter more than the score.
How far apart are Cooktown State School and Holy Spirit College?
About 100 m in a straight line, between Cooktown and Cooktown in Queensland.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Cooktown State School has 10.9 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Holy Spirit College has 8.8.
How do Cooktown State School and Holy Spirit College rank in QLD?
Cooktown State School is 271st of 275 and Holy Spirit College is unranked among combined schools in Queensland on the 2025 Success Index.