Bellingen High School is a government co-ed secondary serving the northern NSW region with particular strengths in orchestral music and performing arts.
NAPLAN 17 points below national year-level averages; the result is a B- overall.
Bellingen High School is a government co-ed secondary serving the northern NSW region with particular strengths in orchestral music and performing arts. The school runs a youth orchestra program that sits at the centre of its music offerings, alongside specialist support for high-potential and gifted learners. A dedicated additional learning support unit serves students needing extra help. Known for its strongly pastoral approach, Bellingen has built a tight-knit community culture where students feel known and supported.
Bellingen High School is also known as Bellingen HS and BHS Bellingen.
Bellingen High School draws students from the Bellingen HS (and 1 more zone).
Bellingen High School has an overall SchoolRank score of 40.1/100, rated "Average". This score is calculated from academic results, student growth, wellbeing, extracurricular programs, and value for money. Academically, the school scores 48/100, indicating developing performance relative to other Australian schools. The school's ICSEA (Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage) is 1006, close to the national average of 1,000.
In 2025 NAPLAN testing at Bellingen High School, Year 7 students averaged 523 across the tested NAPLAN domains, below the national average of 540 for that year level, and Year 9 students averaged 551, below the national average of 569 for that year level. National averages are specific to each year level, because NAPLAN scores are scaled so older year levels score higher, a school-wide average can't be compared with a single national figure.
Bellingen High School is a medium-sized government secondary school with approximately 584 students. It offers education for years 7-12. As a government school, enrolment is generally available to students living within the school's designated catchment zone. Families outside the zone may apply for out-of-area placement subject to availability.
Bellingen High School is a government school, so there are no tuition fees. Families may be asked to contribute to voluntary school fees covering materials, excursions, and activities. The school has a value score of 51/100 on SchoolRank, which compares educational outcomes relative to cost, government schools typically score well on this measure.
Bellingen High School has a student-to-teacher ratio of 11.6:1. This is below the national average of approximately 14:1, meaning students generally receive more individual attention. Support staff make up 21% of the workforce, providing additional learning assistance and pastoral care. The student attendance rate is 80%, which is below the national benchmark.
The Year 12 completion rate is 59%.
Bellingen High School is located in Bellingen, NSW, classified as a inner regional school. With an ICSEA of 1006 (49th percentile), the school community's socio-educational advantage is around the national average. ICSEA measures the educational advantage of a school's community, not the school's quality, a lower ICSEA school with strong academic scores may indicate particularly effective teaching.