Coombabah State High School vs St Francis Xavier School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Queensland, 2.8 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Coombabah State High School
Coombabah · Government high school · 7-12
1,113 students · ICSEA 977
St Francis Xavier School
Runaway Bay · Catholic primary · Prep-6
665 students · ICSEA 1076
| Measure | Coombabah State High School Coombabah QLD | St Francis Xavier School Runaway Bay QLD |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 35 Lower 50% | 64 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #167 of 269 | #155 of 804 |
| National rank (type) | #1055 of 1,472 | #1551 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Secondary | Primary |
| Year range | 7-12 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 1,113 | 665 |
| Girls / boys | 483 / 630 | 332 / 333 |
| Foundation intake | – | 112 |
| Year 7 cohort | 199 | – |
| Year 12 cohort | 140 | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -7% | +7% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 977 | 1076 |
| ICSEA percentile | 36th | 77th |
| Top SEA quarter | 6% | 26% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 40% | 6% |
| Students per teacher | 12.2 | 16.5 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 91.0 | 40.2 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 37.7 | 22.7 |
| Language background other than English | 17% | 10% |
| Indigenous students | 8% | 2% |
| Suburb | Coombabah 4216 | Runaway Bay 4216 |
| Council area | Gold Coast | Gold Coast |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | coombabashs.eq.edu.au | www.sfx.qld.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Francis Xavier School scores higher on the Success Index (64.0 vs 35.3).
- •St Francis Xavier School has the higher ICSEA (1076 vs 977), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Coombabah State High School has fewer students per teacher (12.2 vs 16.5).
- •Coombabah State High School is the larger school with 1,113 students compared with 665.
- •St Francis Xavier School has grown faster over five years (7% vs -7%).
- •Coombabah State High School is a government school while St Francis Xavier 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 Coombabah State High School better than St Francis Xavier School?
On the Success Index, St Francis Xavier School ranks higher (64.0 vs 35.3 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 Coombabah State High School and St Francis Xavier School?
About 2.8 km in a straight line, between Coombabah and Runaway Bay in Queensland.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Coombabah State High School has 12.2 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Francis Xavier School has 16.5.
How do Coombabah State High School and St Francis Xavier School rank in QLD?
Coombabah State High School is 167th of 269 and St Francis Xavier School is 155th of 804 among secondary schools in Queensland on the 2025 Success Index.