Kirwan State High School vs The Willows State School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Queensland, 1.2 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Kirwan State High School
Kirwan · Government high school · 7-12
1,922 students · ICSEA 919
The Willows State School
Kirwan · Government primary · Prep-6
876 students · ICSEA 956
| Measure | Kirwan State High School Kirwan QLD | The Willows State School Kirwan QLD |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 19 Lower 50% | 32 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #255 of 269 | #575 of 804 |
| National rank (type) | #1424 of 1,472 | #3989 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Secondary | Primary |
| Year range | 7-12 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 1,922 | 876 |
| Girls / boys | 901 / 1,021 | 437 / 439 |
| Foundation intake | – | 121 |
| Year 7 cohort | 325 | – |
| Year 12 cohort | 275 | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +1% | -3% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 919 | 956 |
| ICSEA percentile | 15th | 27th |
| Top SEA quarter | 5% | 5% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 47% | 38% |
| Students per teacher | 14.0 | 14.1 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 136.6 | 62.0 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 65.0 | 27.3 |
| Language background other than English | 18% | 10% |
| Indigenous students | 31% | 19% |
| Suburb | Kirwan 4817 | Kirwan 4817 |
| Council area | Townsville | Townsville |
| Remoteness | Outer Regional | Outer Regional |
| Website | kirwanshs.eq.edu.au | thewillowsss.eq.edu.au |
The verdict
- •The Willows State School scores higher on the Success Index (31.9 vs 18.5).
- •The Willows State School has the higher ICSEA (956 vs 919), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Kirwan State High School is the larger school with 1,922 students compared with 876.
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 Kirwan State High School better than The Willows State School?
On the Success Index, The Willows State School ranks higher (31.9 vs 18.5 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 Kirwan State High School and The Willows State School?
About 1.2 km in a straight line, between Kirwan and Kirwan in Queensland.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Kirwan State High School has 14.0 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and The Willows State School has 14.1.
How do Kirwan State High School and The Willows State School rank in QLD?
Kirwan State High School is 255th of 269 and The Willows State School is 575th of 804 among secondary schools in Queensland on the 2025 Success Index.