Palm Beach-Currumbin State High School vs Palm Beach State School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Queensland, 2.6 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Palm Beach-Currumbin State High School
Palm Beach · Government high school · 7-12
2,819 students · ICSEA 1022
Palm Beach State School
Palm Beach · Government primary · Prep-6
894 students · ICSEA 1059
| Measure | Palm Beach-Currumbin State High School Palm Beach QLD | Palm Beach State School Palm Beach QLD |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 51 Top 50% | 69 Top 25% |
| State rank (type) | #104 of 269 | #112 of 804 |
| National rank (type) | #710 of 1,472 | #1108 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Secondary | Primary |
| Year range | 7-12 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 2,819 | 894 |
| Girls / boys | 1,397 / 1,422 | 406 / 488 |
| Foundation intake | – | 138 |
| Year 7 cohort | 492 | – |
| Year 12 cohort | 379 | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +9% | +28% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1022 | 1059 |
| ICSEA percentile | 57th | 72th |
| Top SEA quarter | 15% | 22% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 21% | 12% |
| Students per teacher | 14.3 | 15.1 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 196.9 | 59.1 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 76.9 | 20.2 |
| Language background other than English | 13% | 9% |
| Indigenous students | 8% | 4% |
| Suburb | Palm Beach 4221 | Palm Beach 4221 |
| Council area | Gold Coast | Gold Coast |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | pbc-shs.eq.edu.au | palmbeachss.eq.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Palm Beach State School scores higher on the Success Index (69.0 vs 51.4).
- •Palm Beach State School has the higher ICSEA (1059 vs 1022), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Palm Beach-Currumbin State High School has fewer students per teacher (14.3 vs 15.1).
- •Palm Beach-Currumbin State High School is the larger school with 2,819 students compared with 894.
- •Palm Beach State School has grown faster over five years (28% 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 Palm Beach-Currumbin State High School better than Palm Beach State School?
On the Success Index, Palm Beach State School ranks higher (69.0 vs 51.4 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 Palm Beach-Currumbin State High School and Palm Beach State School?
About 2.6 km in a straight line, between Palm Beach and Palm Beach in Queensland.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Palm Beach-Currumbin State High School has 14.3 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Palm Beach State School has 15.1.
How do Palm Beach-Currumbin State High School and Palm Beach State School rank in QLD?
Palm Beach-Currumbin State High School is 104th of 269 and Palm Beach State School is 112th of 804 among secondary schools in Queensland on the 2025 Success Index.