Gowrie State School vs Highfields State Secondary College
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Queensland, 7.7 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Gowrie State School
Gowrie Junction · Government primary · Prep-6
210 students · ICSEA 1013
Highfields State Secondary College
Highfields · Government high school · 7-12
795 students · ICSEA 1001
| Measure | Gowrie State School Gowrie Junction QLD | Highfields State Secondary College Highfields QLD |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 51 Top 50% | 43 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #318 of 804 | #141 of 269 |
| National rank (type) | #2638 of 4,908 | #884 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Primary | Secondary |
| Year range | Prep-6 | 7-12 |
| Students | 210 | 795 |
| Girls / boys | 101 / 109 | 385 / 410 |
| Foundation intake | 40 | – |
| Year 7 cohort | – | 119 |
| Year 12 cohort | – | 113 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +6% | -18% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1013 | 1001 |
| ICSEA percentile | 53th | 47th |
| Top SEA quarter | 9% | 10% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 23% | 30% |
| Students per teacher | 14.3 | 11.8 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 14.7 | 67.1 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 8.8 | 30.8 |
| Language background other than English | 4% | 4% |
| Indigenous students | 10% | 10% |
| Suburb | Gowrie Junction 4352 | Highfields 4352 |
| Council area | Toowoomba | Toowoomba |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | gowriess.eq.edu.au | highfieldsssc.eq.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Gowrie State School scores higher on the Success Index (50.8 vs 43.0).
- •Gowrie State School has the higher ICSEA (1013 vs 1001), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Highfields State Secondary College has fewer students per teacher (11.8 vs 14.3).
- •Highfields State Secondary College is the larger school with 795 students compared with 210.
- •Gowrie State School has grown faster over five years (6% vs -18%).
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 Gowrie State School better than Highfields State Secondary College?
On the Success Index, Gowrie State School ranks higher (50.8 vs 43.0 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 Gowrie State School and Highfields State Secondary College?
About 7.7 km in a straight line, between Gowrie Junction and Highfields in Queensland.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Gowrie State School has 14.3 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Highfields State Secondary College has 11.8.
How do Gowrie State School and Highfields State Secondary College rank in QLD?
Gowrie State School is 318th of 804 and Highfields State Secondary College is 141st of 269 among primary schools in Queensland on the 2025 Success Index.