Coolum State School vs Mount Cotton State School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in Queensland, 122 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Coolum State School
Coolum Beach · Government primary · Prep-6
1,004 students · ICSEA 1046
Mount Cotton State School
Mount Cotton · Government primary · Prep-6
605 students · ICSEA 1047
| Measure | Coolum State School Coolum Beach QLD | Mount Cotton State School Mount Cotton QLD |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 62 Top 50% | 63 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #176 of 804 | #172 of 804 |
| National rank (type) | #1706 of 4,908 | #1685 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | Prep-6 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 1,004 | 605 |
| Girls / boys | 482 / 522 | 298 / 307 |
| Foundation intake | 136 | 93 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -1% | +1% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1046 | 1047 |
| ICSEA percentile | 67th | 67th |
| Top SEA quarter | 21% | 19% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 15% | 14% |
| Students per teacher | 14.9 | 14.8 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 67.3 | 41.0 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 25.8 | 17.9 |
| Language background other than English | 9% | 11% |
| Indigenous students | 6% | 4% |
| Suburb | Coolum Beach 4573 | Mount Cotton 4165 |
| Council area | Sunshine Coast | Redland |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | coolumss.eq.edu.au | mtcottonss.eq.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Both schools have almost identical Success Index scores (62.3 vs 62.6).
- •Mount Cotton State School has the higher ICSEA (1047 vs 1046), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Coolum State School is the larger school with 1,004 students compared with 605.
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 School better than Mount Cotton State 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 School and Mount Cotton State School?
About 122 km in a straight line, between Coolum Beach and Mount Cotton in Queensland.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Coolum State School has 14.9 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Mount Cotton State School has 14.8.
How do Coolum State School and Mount Cotton State School rank in QLD?
Coolum State School is 176th of 804 and Mount Cotton State School is 172nd of 804 among primary schools in Queensland on the 2025 Success Index.