Teacher student ratios ranked: How every Southern Downs school class compares

The schools with Southern Downs’ most crowded classrooms have been revealed.

An analysis of national data from the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority has revealed the schools where teachers have the most students in their classes.

The figures show in 2021 in the Southern Downs region there were more students per teacher at Applethorpe State School than any other school.

According to the data – the most up to date that includes all state and private schools nationally – Applethorpe State School had 21.6 students for every teacher, the highest in the area.

It had 69 students enrolled and 3.2 full-time equivalent teachers.

The second highest student-teacher ratios were at Yangan State School where there was an average of 18.3 students for every teacher at the school. It had 84 students enrolled and 4.6 full-time equivalent teachers.

At Greenlands State School there were 17.5 students for every teacher, the Southern Downs region’s third highest.

It had 103 students enrolled and 5.9 full-time equivalent teachers.

According to ACARA the national student-teacher ratio in 2021 was 13.3 students for every teacher.

At a primary level it is 14.5 and secondary is 11.9.

Catholic schools have the highest national ratios for primary schools with a 15.4 ratio, followed by 14.4 for state schools and 14 for independent schools.

At the high school level, state schools had the highest ratio with 12.4, followed by Catholic with 12.2 and 10.5 for independent.

Meanwhile, the Southern Downs region’s least crowded classroom was at Murray’s Bridge State School where there was an average of 5.7 students for every teacher at the school.

It had 8 students enrolled and 1.4 full-time equivalent teachers.

Student-teacher ratios do not take into account teacher aides or non-teaching staff at schools, only the full-time equivalent teachers.

Schools with the highest student to teacher ratio in Southern Downs:

Applethorpe State School: 21.6 students per teacher

Yangan State School: 18.3 students per teacher

Greenlands State School: 17.5 students per teacher

Glen Aplin State School: 16.4 students per teacher

St Mary’s School: 15.8 students per teacher

Severnlea State School: 15.8 students per teacher

Jennings Public School: 15.0 students per teacher

Leyburn State School: 14.8 students per teacher

Warwick West State School: 14.3 students per teacher

Amiens State School: 13.9 students per teacher