Hervey Bay State High School vs St James Lutheran College
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Queensland, 2.7 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Hervey Bay State High School
Pialba · Government high school · 7-12
1,280 students · ICSEA 963
St James Lutheran College
Urraween · Independent combined · Prep-12
754 students · ICSEA 1038
| Measure | Hervey Bay State High School Pialba QLD | St James Lutheran College Urraween QLD |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 48 Lower 50% | 46 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #123 of 269 | #154 of 275 |
| National rank (type) | #788 of 1,472 | #744 of 1,259 |
| Sector | Government | Independent |
| Type | Secondary | Combined |
| Year range | 7-12 | Prep-12 |
| Students | 1,280 | 754 |
| Girls / boys | 653 / 627 | 382 / 372 |
| Foundation intake | – | 50 |
| Year 7 cohort | 258 | 77 |
| Year 12 cohort | 143 | 48 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +3% | +8% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 963 | 1038 |
| ICSEA percentile | 30th | 63th |
| Top SEA quarter | 7% | 19% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 45% | 18% |
| Students per teacher | 11.5 | 13.8 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 111.3 | 54.7 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 46.7 | 39.1 |
| Language background other than English | 5% | 18% |
| Indigenous students | 14% | 6% |
| Suburb | Pialba 4655 | Urraween 4655 |
| Council area | Fraser Coast | Fraser Coast |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | herveybayshs.eq.edu.au | www.stjameslc.qld.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Hervey Bay State High School scores higher on the Success Index (47.5 vs 45.8).
- •St James Lutheran College has the higher ICSEA (1038 vs 963), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Hervey Bay State High School has fewer students per teacher (11.5 vs 13.8).
- •Hervey Bay State High School is the larger school with 1,280 students compared with 754.
- •St James Lutheran College has grown faster over five years (8% vs 3%).
- •Hervey Bay State High School is a government school while St James Lutheran College is an independent 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 Hervey Bay State High School better than St James Lutheran College?
On the Success Index, Hervey Bay State High School ranks higher (47.5 vs 45.8 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 Hervey Bay State High School and St James Lutheran College?
About 2.7 km in a straight line, between Pialba and Urraween in Queensland.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Hervey Bay State High School has 11.5 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St James Lutheran College has 13.8.
How do Hervey Bay State High School and St James Lutheran College rank in QLD?
Hervey Bay State High School is 123rd of 269 and St James Lutheran College is 154th of 275 among secondary schools in Queensland on the 2025 Success Index.