Dorrigo High School
Per Montes ad Lucem — Through the Mountains to the Light
About the school
Dorrigo High School is located in the picturesque rural town of Dorrigo, on the eastern edge of the New England plateau. The school is an integral part of the community, serving students from the township and surrounding farmlands and small villages such as Dundurrabin, Hernani, and Ebor. Dorrigo High School has built a proud reputation for high achievement across academic and extracurricular domains, with many students excelling in external examinations, national competitions, public speaking, debating, drama, music, and art, as well as demonstrating notable success in various sports.
The school benefits from its smaller class sizes, particularly in the senior years, which fosters closer relationships between teachers and students. This environment allows for tailored teaching strategies that cater to individual learning needs. The Stage 6 compressed curriculum provides an innovative educational structure, enhancing students' course options and pathways to achieving their Higher School Certificate (HSC).
Dorrigo High School is committed to embracing 21st Century learning through professional development for its staff and ensuring technology resources are available to enrich classroom experiences. The foundation of the school's welfare system is built on mutual respect, a clear communication structure, and a commitment to developing strong links with parents and the broader community.
The school's strategic plan focuses on enhancing educational excellence through expert teaching and a culture of open communication. Dorrigo High School prides itself on being inclusive and non-selective, ensuring every student receives quality education and support to reach their full potential.
Mission
- A safe, respectful and caring place to learn.
- We prioritise student wellbeing through quality teaching, personalised support and a school environment where every student feels safe, included and ready to learn.
- Dorrigo High School students excel in learning and in life.
- We know every student is unique, and tailor learning to individual strengths.
- We partner with local families and organisations to enrich learning and extend wellbeing support beyond the classroom.
Location & Catchment Area
- Dorrigo High School
Nearby or Connected Schools
- A Dorrigo Public School 633 m
- B Orama Public School 10.5 km
- C Cascade Environmental Education Centre 14.3 km
- D Ulong Public School 20.3 km
Profile (2025)
- Total enrolments
- 118 (59 girls, 59 boys)
- Enrolments (FTE) What does this mean?
- 117.8
- ICSEA What does this mean?
- 951 (percentile 25)
- SEA quarters What does this mean?
- 50% / 31% / 13% / 6%
- FOEI What does this mean?
- 116
- Indigenous students
- 9%
- LBOTE What does this mean?
- 16%
- Teaching staff (FTE) What does this mean?
- 17.3
- Non-teaching staff (FTE) What does this mean?
- 6.4
Enrolments by grade (2025)
| Grade | Headcount |
|---|---|
| Year 7 | 26 |
| Year 8 | 17 |
| Year 9 | 18 |
| Year 10 | 16 |
| Year 11 | 20 |
| Year 12 | 21 |
| Total | 118 |
Year by year
Attendance data for 2020 is unavailable — NSW schools were disrupted by COVID-19 and the Department of Education did not publish figures for that year.
| Year | Enrolments | Girls | Boys | Attendance % | ICSEA | Teaching staff (FTE) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 118 | 59 | 59 | - | 951 | 17.3 |
| 2024 | 109 | 43 | 66 | 82.7 | 972 | 18.1 |
| 2023 | 110 | 43 | 67 | 81.8 | 968 | 18.1 |
| 2022 | 113 | 43 | 70 | 82.3 | 969 | 18.3 |
| 2021 | 108 | 45 | 63 | 84 | 968 | 17.2 |
| 2020 | 127 | 56 | 71 | - | 957 | 17.2 |
| 2019 | 137 | 69 | 68 | 84.4 | 948 | 16.7 |
| 2018 | 132 | 68 | 64 | 89.4 | 955 | 18 |
| 2017 | 155 | 76 | 79 | 88.8 | 978 | 19.6 |
| 2016 | 168 | 82 | 86 | 89.3 | 972 | 20.2 |
| 2015 | 173 | 83 | 90 | 89.7 | 966 | 19.9 |
| 2014 | 165 | 78 | 87 | 90.7 | 971 | 19.9 |
| 2013 | 183 | 88 | 95 | 90.2 | 984 | 21.3 |
| 2012 | 176 | 85 | 91 | 89.7 | 957 | 21.2 |
| 2011 | 201 | 98 | 103 | 90.2 | 954 | 22.3 |
| 2010 | 217 | 95 | 122 | - | 961 | 24.6 |
| 2009 | 194 | 87 | 107 | - | 1042 | 23.3 |
| 2008 | 208 | 93 | 115 | - | 1042 | 24.9 |
Attendance data for 2020 is unavailable — NSW schools were disrupted by COVID-19 and the Department of Education did not publish figures for that year.