Ranked: Southern Downs’ fastest growing – and rapidly shrinking – schools

The Southern Downs’ fastest-growing schools and their enrolment numbers for the past five years can now be revealed, while some schools have gone backwards during the same time. SEARCH FOR YOUR SCHOOL

Southern Downs’ fastest growing schools – and the ones going backwards – have been revealed.

An analysis of federal government data has revealed every Southern Downs region school’s student enrolment trajectory over the past five years – exposing where student numbers have risen and declined the most.

Applethorpe State School in Applethorpe is Southern Downs’ fastest growing school, with enrolments increasing by 39 per cent in the five years from 2018 to 2022.

The second fastest growing school was Murray’s Bridge State School in Murrays Bridge with a 33 per cent change while The Scots PGC College in Warwick recorded the third biggest change with a 20 per cent increase.

Meanwhile, the analysis also highlighted the Southern Downs region’s schools in decline with Severnlea State School in Severnlea recording a 57 per cent drop over five years.

Yangan State School in Yangan was the second school going backwards for enrolment with a 56 per cent drop and Broadwater State School in Broadwater was the third with a 55 per cent decline.

The Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority figures are the most up to date enrolment numbers that include all state and private schools nationally.

Schools with fastest growth between 2018 and 2022:

Applethorpe State School: 39 per cent

Murray’s Bridge State School: 33 per cent

The SCOTS PGC College: 20 per cent

Wheatvale State School: 20 per cent

St Joseph’s School: 13 per cent

Dalveen State School: 12 per cent

Warwick West State School: 10 per cent

Maryvale State School: seven per cent

The Summit State School: six per cent

St Maria Goretti School: six per cent

Schools in decline 2018-2022:

Severnlea State School: 57 per cent

Yangan State School: 56 per cent

Broadwater State School: 55 per cent

Thulimbah State School: 55 per cent

Amiens State School: 54 per cent

Wallangarra State School: 46 per cent

Leyburn State School: 41 per cent

Glen Aplin State School: 39 per cent

Warwick Central State School: 28 per cent

St Patrick’s School: 21 per cent