Coolum State High School vs Sunshine Beach State High School
A head-to-head comparison of two secondary schools in Queensland, 10 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Coolum State High School
Coolum Beach · Government high school · 7-12
1,551 students · ICSEA 1040
Sunshine Beach State High School
Sunshine Beach · Government high school · 7-12
1,405 students · ICSEA 1043
| Measure | Coolum State High School Coolum Beach QLD | Sunshine Beach State High School Sunshine Beach QLD |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 63 Top 50% | 62 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #48 of 269 | #52 of 269 |
| National rank (type) | #443 of 1,472 | #459 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Secondary | Secondary |
| Year range | 7-12 | 7-12 |
| Students | 1,551 | 1,405 |
| Girls / boys | 698 / 853 | 687 / 718 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | 301 | 212 |
| Year 12 cohort | 207 | 233 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +18% | -11% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1040 | 1043 |
| ICSEA percentile | 64th | 66th |
| Top SEA quarter | 18% | 18% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 18% | 18% |
| Students per teacher | 13.3 | 11.6 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 116.7 | 121.2 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 40.2 | 44.6 |
| Language background other than English | 10% | 16% |
| Indigenous students | 4% | 3% |
| Suburb | Coolum Beach 4573 | Sunshine Beach 4567 |
| Council area | Sunshine Coast | Noosa |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | coolumshs.eq.edu.au | sunshinebeachhigh.eq.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Both schools have almost identical Success Index scores (62.9 vs 62.2).
- •Sunshine Beach State High School has the higher ICSEA (1043 vs 1040), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Sunshine Beach State High School has fewer students per teacher (11.6 vs 13.3).
- •Coolum State High School is the larger school with 1,551 students compared with 1,405.
- •Coolum State High School has grown faster over five years (18% vs -11%).
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 State High School better than Sunshine Beach 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 State High School and Sunshine Beach State High School?
About 10 km in a straight line, between Coolum Beach and Sunshine Beach in Queensland.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Coolum State High School has 13.3 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Sunshine Beach State High School has 11.6.
How do Coolum State High School and Sunshine Beach State High School rank in QLD?
Coolum State High School is 48th of 269 and Sunshine Beach State High School is 52nd of 269 among secondary schools in Queensland on the 2025 Success Index.