Avondale Community College
Rathdrum, Co. Wicklow
644 studentsMixedDEISCommunity college (ETB)TY
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Applying for September 2027
We haven't found this school's dates for September 2027 entry yet. Schools usually hold open nights from September and open applications from October; the admission notice on the school's website has the exact window.
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Students this year
644 students: 312 girls and 332 boys, by year group. Department of Education, 2025/26.
- 1st year
- 118
- 2nd year
- 94
- 3rd year
- 117
- TY
- 114
- 5th year
- 100
- 6th year
- 101
Transition Year: 114 students are in Transition Year, about as many as in 3rd year. That usually means most students take it. Ask whether it's optional.
What it costs
- Tuition fees
- None. The school is in the free education scheme.
- Schoolbooks
- Free in every year, including TY, under the free schoolbooks scheme.
We haven't found this school's voluntary contribution or device policy yet. What secondary school costs, and the schemes that help
At a glance
Avondale Community College is a community college (etb) in Rathdrum, Co. Wicklow (Eircode A67 RR26). Avondale Community College has 644 students: 332 boys and 312 girls, according to the Department of Education's 2025/26 figures.
- Type
- Community college (ETB)
- Boys and girls
- Mixed · 332 boys, 312 girls
- Fees
- Free education scheme, no tuition fees
- Ethos
- Multi-denominational
- Patron
- Kildare & Wicklow ETB
- Language
- English-medium
- Day or boarding
- Day school
- DEIS
- Yes, part of the DEIS programme
- Roll number
- 70810H
Inspection reports for this school from the Department of Education, on gov.ie
Explained: what DEIS means · types of school · how to choose
Questions parents ask
- Where is Avondale Community College?
- Avondale Community College is a community college (etb) in Rathdrum, Co. Wicklow (Eircode A67 RR26).
- How many students go to Avondale Community College?
- Avondale Community College has 644 students: 332 boys and 312 girls, according to the Department of Education's 2025/26 figures.
- Who is the principal of Avondale Community College?
- Elaine Fitzgerald is the principal of Avondale Community College, according to the Department of Education's 2025/26 schools list.
- Is Avondale Community College a mixed school?
- Yes. Avondale Community College takes both boys and girls.
- Is Avondale Community College fee-paying?
- No. Avondale Community College is in the free education scheme, so there are no tuition fees. Like most schools it may ask for a voluntary contribution, which can't be compulsory.
- What is the ethos of Avondale Community College?
- Avondale Community College has a Multi-denominational ethos. Its patron is Kildare & Wicklow ETB.
- Does Avondale Community College teach through Irish?
- No. Avondale Community College teaches through English, with Irish taught as a subject.
- Does Avondale Community College have Transition Year?
- 114 students are in Transition Year, about as many as in 3rd year. That usually means most students take it. Ask whether it's optional.
- Is Avondale Community College a DEIS school?
- Yes. Avondale Community College is part of the DEIS programme, which gives extra support to schools serving communities at risk of educational disadvantage.
- Where can I read Avondale Community College's inspection reports?
- The Department of Education publishes school inspection reports on gov.ie. Search there by Avondale Community College's roll number, 70810H, or use the link on this page.
- What other secondary schools are near Avondale Community College?
- The closest is Coláiste Chill Mhantáin. The table on this page compares the nearest schools by distance, size, type and fees.
Closest secondary schools
| School | Distance | Students | Boys and girls | Type | Fees | Irish-medium | DEIS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avondale Community CollegeThis school | 644 | Mixed | Community college (ETB) | Free | No | Yes | |
| Coláiste Chill MhantáinWicklow Town | 12.7 km | 995 | Mixed | Community college (ETB) | Free | No | Yes |
| East Glendalough SchoolWicklow Town | 13.5 km | 365 | Mixed | Comprehensive school | Free | No | No |
| Wicklow Educate Together Secondary SchoolWicklow Town | 13.6 km | 404 | Mixed | Secondary | Free | No | Yes |
| Dominican CollegeWicklow Town | 14.0 km | 461 | Girls | Secondary | Free | No | No |
| Gaelcholáiste na MaraArklow | 15.5 km | 279 | Mixed | Community college (ETB) | Free | Yes | No |
| Glenart CollegeArklow | 15.9 km | 633 | Mixed | Community college (ETB) | Free | No | Yes |
Straight-line distances. Compare with the two closest · See more schools near here.
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Contact
RathdrumCo Wicklow
A67RR26
- Principal: Elaine Fitzgerald on the Department of Education's 2025/26 schools list
- Phone: 0404 46445
- Email: [email protected]
- Open in Google Maps
Primary schools nearby
On our sister site, primaryschool.ie
- Clochar Muire NS200 m
- Rathdrum Boys NS200 m
- St Saviours NS700 m
- Glenealy 1 NS6.5 km
- Scoil San Eoin8.0 km
Next school holidays
- In 9 daysOctober mid-term breakMon, 26 October to Fri 30 October 2026
- In 10 weeksChristmas holidaysWed 23 December 2026 to Tue 5 January 2027
- In 17 weeksFebruary mid-term breakMon, 15 February to Fri 19 February 2027
These dates are set for every secondary school in Ireland. Check with Avondale Community College for any extra days off and the last day in June. Get reminders · All term dates · Add to Google Calendar