Highfields State Secondary College vs Meringandan State School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Queensland, 4.9 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Highfields State Secondary College
Highfields · Government high school · 7-12
795 students · ICSEA 1001
Meringandan State School
Meringandan West · Government primary · Prep-6
260 students · ICSEA 1018
| Measure | Highfields State Secondary College Highfields QLD | Meringandan State School Meringandan West QLD |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 43 Lower 50% | 53 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #141 of 269 | #290 of 804 |
| National rank (type) | #884 of 1,472 | #2475 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Secondary | Primary |
| Year range | 7-12 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 795 | 260 |
| Girls / boys | 385 / 410 | 115 / 145 |
| Foundation intake | – | 38 |
| Year 7 cohort | 119 | – |
| Year 12 cohort | 113 | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -18% | +2% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1001 | 1018 |
| ICSEA percentile | 47th | 55th |
| Top SEA quarter | 10% | 13% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 30% | 24% |
| Students per teacher | 11.8 | 15.0 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 67.1 | 17.3 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 30.8 | 9.9 |
| Language background other than English | 4% | 2% |
| Indigenous students | 10% | 8% |
| Suburb | Highfields 4352 | Meringandan West 4352 |
| Council area | Toowoomba | Toowoomba |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | highfieldsssc.eq.edu.au | meringandanss.eq.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Meringandan State School scores higher on the Success Index (53.2 vs 43.0).
- •Meringandan State School has the higher ICSEA (1018 vs 1001), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Highfields State Secondary College has fewer students per teacher (11.8 vs 15.0).
- •Highfields State Secondary College is the larger school with 795 students compared with 260.
- •Meringandan State School has grown faster over five years (2% 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 Highfields State Secondary College better than Meringandan State School?
On the Success Index, Meringandan State School ranks higher (53.2 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 Highfields State Secondary College and Meringandan State School?
About 4.9 km in a straight line, between Highfields and Meringandan West in Queensland.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Highfields State Secondary College has 11.8 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Meringandan State School has 15.0.
How do Highfields State Secondary College and Meringandan State School rank in QLD?
Highfields State Secondary College is 141st of 269 and Meringandan State School is 290th of 804 among secondary schools in Queensland on the 2025 Success Index.