Maleny State High School vs The River School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Queensland, 3.8 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Maleny State High School
Maleny · Government high school · 7-12
647 students · ICSEA 1029
The River School
Maleny · Independent primary · Prep-6
77 students · ICSEA 1074
| Measure | Maleny State High School Maleny QLD | The River School Maleny QLD |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 56 Top 50% | 68 Top 25% |
| State rank (type) | #81 of 269 | – |
| National rank (type) | #600 of 1,472 | – |
| Sector | Government | Independent |
| Type | Secondary | Primary |
| Year range | 7-12 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 647 | 77 |
| Girls / boys | 331 / 316 | 34 / 43 |
| Foundation intake | – | 11 |
| Year 7 cohort | 103 | – |
| Year 12 cohort | 83 | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -6% | -36% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1029 | 1074 |
| ICSEA percentile | 59th | 77th |
| Top SEA quarter | 17% | 35% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 23% | 10% |
| Students per teacher | 11.5 | 7.9 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 56.2 | 9.7 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 25.6 | 10.8 |
| Language background other than English | 11% | 14% |
| Indigenous students | 5% | 3% |
| Suburb | Maleny 4552 | Maleny 4552 |
| Council area | Sunshine Coast | Sunshine Coast |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | malenyshs.eq.edu.au | riverschool.com.au/ |
The verdict
- •The River School scores higher on the Success Index (68.2 vs 56.2).
- •The River School has the higher ICSEA (1074 vs 1029), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •The River School has fewer students per teacher (7.9 vs 11.5).
- •Maleny State High School is the larger school with 647 students compared with 77.
- •Maleny State High School has grown faster over five years (-6% vs -36%).
- •Maleny State High School is a government school while The River School 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 Maleny State High School better than The River School?
On the Success Index, The River School ranks higher (68.2 vs 56.2 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 Maleny State High School and The River School?
About 3.8 km in a straight line, between Maleny and Maleny in Queensland.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Maleny State High School has 11.5 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and The River School has 7.9.
How do Maleny State High School and The River School rank in QLD?
Maleny State High School is 81st of 269 and The River School is unranked among secondary schools in Queensland on the 2025 Success Index.