Palmerston District Primary School vs St Michael's Primary School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in Australian Capital Territory, 3.0 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Palmerston District Primary School
Palmerston · Government primary · K-6
640 students · ICSEA 1077
St Michael's Primary School
Kaleen · Catholic primary · K-6
171 students · ICSEA 1094
| Measure | Palmerston District Primary School Palmerston ACT | St Michael's Primary School Kaleen ACT |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 67 Top 25% | 73 Top 25% |
| State rank (type) | #52 of 80 | #37 of 80 |
| National rank (type) | #1272 of 4,908 | #793 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | K-6 | K-6 |
| Students | 640 | 171 |
| Girls / boys | 306 / 334 | 91 / 80 |
| Foundation intake | 91 | 16 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -8% | -13% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1077 | 1094 |
| ICSEA percentile | 78th | 83th |
| Top SEA quarter | 33% | 37% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 12% | 4% |
| Students per teacher | 12.7 | 13.6 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 50.2 | 12.6 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 27.3 | 7.2 |
| Language background other than English | 47% | 20% |
| Indigenous students | 3% | 4% |
| Suburb | Palmerston 2913 | Kaleen 2617 |
| Council area | Unincorporated ACT | Unincorporated ACT |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.palmdps.act.edu.au/ | www.stmichaelsps.act.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Michael's Primary School scores higher on the Success Index (72.5 vs 67.2).
- •St Michael's Primary School has the higher ICSEA (1094 vs 1077), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Palmerston District Primary School has fewer students per teacher (12.7 vs 13.6).
- •Palmerston District Primary School is the larger school with 640 students compared with 171.
- •Palmerston District Primary School has grown faster over five years (-8% vs -13%).
- •Palmerston District Primary School is a government school while St Michael's Primary School is a catholic school, so fees and enrolment rules differ.
The Success Index summarises community advantage, resourcing and momentum from ACARA data. It does not measure teaching quality, results or fit. Methodology.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Palmerston District Primary School better than St Michael's Primary School?
On the Success Index, St Michael's Primary School ranks higher (72.5 vs 67.2 out of 100). The index measures community advantage and momentum from ACARA data, not teaching quality, so visit both schools before deciding.
How far apart are Palmerston District Primary School and St Michael's Primary School?
About 3.0 km in a straight line, between Palmerston and Kaleen in Australian Capital Territory.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Palmerston District Primary School has 12.7 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Michael's Primary School has 13.6.
How do Palmerston District Primary School and St Michael's Primary School rank in ACT?
Palmerston District Primary School is 52nd of 80 and St Michael's Primary School is 37th of 80 among primary schools in Australian Capital Territory on the 2025 Success Index.