Denison State School vs Emerald State High School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Queensland, 2.2 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Denison State School
Emerald · Government primary · Prep-6
364 students · ICSEA 948
Emerald State High School
Emerald · Government high school · 7-12
847 students · ICSEA 945
| Measure | Denison State School Emerald QLD | Emerald State High School Emerald QLD |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 25 Lower 50% | 24 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #683 of 804 | #236 of 269 |
| National rank (type) | #4486 of 4,908 | #1326 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Primary | Secondary |
| Year range | Prep-6 | 7-12 |
| Students | 364 | 847 |
| Girls / boys | 176 / 188 | 419 / 428 |
| Foundation intake | 42 | – |
| Year 7 cohort | – | 151 |
| Year 12 cohort | – | 121 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -34% | +4% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 948 | 945 |
| ICSEA percentile | 24th | 23th |
| Top SEA quarter | 4% | 4% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 45% | 49% |
| Students per teacher | 13.0 | 12.1 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 28.0 | 70.1 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 13.4 | 23.6 |
| Language background other than English | 13% | 15% |
| Indigenous students | 14% | 10% |
| Suburb | Emerald 4720 | Emerald 4720 |
| Council area | Central Highlands (Qld) | Central Highlands (Qld) |
| Remoteness | Outer Regional | Outer Regional |
| Website | denisonss.eq.edu.au | emeraldshs.eq.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Both schools have almost identical Success Index scores (25.1 vs 24.4).
- •Denison State School has the higher ICSEA (948 vs 945), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Emerald State High School has fewer students per teacher (12.1 vs 13.0).
- •Emerald State High School is the larger school with 847 students compared with 364.
- •Emerald State High School has grown faster over five years (4% vs -34%).
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 Denison State School better than Emerald 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 Denison State School and Emerald State High School?
About 2.2 km in a straight line, between Emerald and Emerald in Queensland.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Denison State School has 13.0 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Emerald State High School has 12.1.
How do Denison State School and Emerald State High School rank in QLD?
Denison State School is 683rd of 804 and Emerald State High School is 236th of 269 among primary schools in Queensland on the 2025 Success Index.