Highland Reserve State School vs Saint Stephen's College
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Queensland, 3.5 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Highland Reserve State School
Upper Coomera · Government primary · Prep-6
899 students · ICSEA 1026
Saint Stephen's College
Coomera · Independent combined · Prep-12
1,315 students · ICSEA 1109
| Measure | Highland Reserve State School Upper Coomera QLD | Saint Stephen's College Coomera QLD |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 54 Top 50% | 66 Top 25% |
| State rank (type) | #275 of 804 | #62 of 275 |
| National rank (type) | #2373 of 4,908 | #349 of 1,259 |
| Sector | Government | Independent |
| Type | Primary | Combined |
| Year range | Prep-6 | Prep-12 |
| Students | 899 | 1,315 |
| Girls / boys | 475 / 424 | 680 / 635 |
| Foundation intake | 126 | 78 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | 124 |
| Year 12 cohort | – | 98 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -5% | +11% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1026 | 1109 |
| ICSEA percentile | 58th | 87th |
| Top SEA quarter | 12% | 42% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 21% | 4% |
| Students per teacher | 14.2 | 13.3 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 63.4 | 98.8 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 25.4 | 58.0 |
| Language background other than English | 14% | 36% |
| Indigenous students | 5% | 1% |
| Suburb | Upper Coomera 4209 | Coomera 4209 |
| Council area | Gold Coast | Gold Coast |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | highlandreservess.eq.edu.au | www.saintstephenscollege.net.au |
The verdict
- •Saint Stephen's College scores higher on the Success Index (65.7 vs 54.4).
- •Saint Stephen's College has the higher ICSEA (1109 vs 1026), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Saint Stephen's College has fewer students per teacher (13.3 vs 14.2).
- •Saint Stephen's College is the larger school with 1,315 students compared with 899.
- •Saint Stephen's College has grown faster over five years (11% vs -5%).
- •Highland Reserve State School is a government school while Saint Stephen's 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 Highland Reserve State School better than Saint Stephen's College?
On the Success Index, Saint Stephen's College ranks higher (65.7 vs 54.4 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 Highland Reserve State School and Saint Stephen's College?
About 3.5 km in a straight line, between Upper Coomera and Coomera in Queensland.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Highland Reserve State School has 14.2 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Saint Stephen's College has 13.3.
How do Highland Reserve State School and Saint Stephen's College rank in QLD?
Highland Reserve State School is 275th of 804 and Saint Stephen's College is 62nd of 275 among primary schools in Queensland on the 2025 Success Index.