Coolum Beach Christian College vs Coolum State High School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Queensland, 5.4 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Coolum Beach Christian College
Coolum Beach · Independent combined · Prep-12
491 students · ICSEA 1081
Coolum State High School
Coolum Beach · Government high school · 7-12
1,551 students · ICSEA 1040
| Measure | Coolum Beach Christian College Coolum Beach QLD | Coolum State High School Coolum Beach QLD |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 63 Top 50% | 63 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #74 of 275 | #48 of 269 |
| National rank (type) | #403 of 1,259 | #443 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Independent | Government |
| Type | Combined | Secondary |
| Year range | Prep-12 | 7-12 |
| Students | 491 | 1,551 |
| Girls / boys | 252 / 239 | 698 / 853 |
| Foundation intake | 46 | – |
| Year 7 cohort | 52 | 301 |
| Year 12 cohort | 15 | 207 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +28% | +18% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1081 | 1040 |
| ICSEA percentile | 79th | 64th |
| Top SEA quarter | 30% | 18% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 7% | 18% |
| Students per teacher | 13.6 | 13.3 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 36.2 | 116.7 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 31.9 | 40.2 |
| Language background other than English | 5% | 10% |
| Indigenous students | 3% | 4% |
| Suburb | Coolum Beach 4573 | Coolum Beach 4573 |
| Council area | Sunshine Coast | Sunshine Coast |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.cbcc.qld.edu.au | coolumshs.eq.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Both schools have almost identical Success Index scores (63.3 vs 62.9).
- •Coolum Beach Christian College has the higher ICSEA (1081 vs 1040), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Coolum State High School is the larger school with 1,551 students compared with 491.
- •Coolum Beach Christian College has grown faster over five years (28% vs 18%).
- •Coolum Beach Christian College is a independent school while Coolum State High School is a government 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 Coolum Beach Christian College better than Coolum State High School?
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 Coolum Beach Christian College and Coolum State High School?
About 5.4 km in a straight line, between Coolum Beach and Coolum Beach in Queensland.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Coolum Beach Christian College has 13.6 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Coolum State High School has 13.3.
How do Coolum Beach Christian College and Coolum State High School rank in QLD?
Coolum Beach Christian College is 74th of 275 and Coolum State High School is 48th of 269 among combined schools in Queensland on the 2025 Success Index.