Mackay Northern Beaches State High School vs Pioneer State High School
A head-to-head comparison of two secondary schools in Queensland, 3.8 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Mackay Northern Beaches State High School
Rural View · Government high school · 7-12
1,012 students · ICSEA 950
Pioneer State High School
Andergrove · Government high school · 7-12
536 students · ICSEA 875
| Measure | Mackay Northern Beaches State High School Rural View QLD | Pioneer State High School Andergrove QLD |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 27 Lower 50% | 16 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #220 of 269 | #263 of 269 |
| National rank (type) | #1258 of 1,472 | #1450 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Secondary | Secondary |
| Year range | 7-12 | 7-12 |
| Students | 1,012 | 536 |
| Girls / boys | 464 / 548 | 267 / 269 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | 192 | 107 |
| Year 12 cohort | 137 | 57 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +0% | -9% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 950 | 875 |
| ICSEA percentile | 25th | 7th |
| Top SEA quarter | 3% | 2% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 44% | 66% |
| Students per teacher | 12.5 | 11.2 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 80.8 | 47.9 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 40.8 | 31.0 |
| Language background other than English | 10% | 13% |
| Indigenous students | 13% | 35% |
| Suburb | Rural View 4740 | Andergrove 4740 |
| Council area | Mackay | Mackay |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | macknorthbeachesshs.eq.edu.au | pioneershs.eq.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Mackay Northern Beaches State High School scores higher on the Success Index (27.0 vs 16.1).
- •Mackay Northern Beaches State High School has the higher ICSEA (950 vs 875), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Pioneer State High School has fewer students per teacher (11.2 vs 12.5).
- •Mackay Northern Beaches State High School is the larger school with 1,012 students compared with 536.
- •Mackay Northern Beaches State High School has grown faster over five years (0% vs -9%).
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 Mackay Northern Beaches State High School better than Pioneer State High School?
On the Success Index, Mackay Northern Beaches State High School ranks higher (27.0 vs 16.1 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 Mackay Northern Beaches State High School and Pioneer State High School?
About 3.8 km in a straight line, between Rural View and Andergrove in Queensland.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Mackay Northern Beaches State High School has 12.5 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Pioneer State High School has 11.2.
How do Mackay Northern Beaches State High School and Pioneer State High School rank in QLD?
Mackay Northern Beaches State High School is 220th of 269 and Pioneer State High School is 263rd of 269 among secondary schools in Queensland on the 2025 Success Index.