Alesco Secondary College vs Holy Cross Primary School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 2.0 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Alesco Secondary College
Cooks Hill · Independent special · 9-12
664 students · ICSEA 949
Holy Cross Primary School
Glendale · Catholic primary · K-6
153 students · ICSEA 1036
| Measure | Alesco Secondary College Cooks Hill NSW | Holy Cross Primary School Glendale NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | – Not rated | 61 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | – | #603 of 1,619 |
| National rank (type) | – | #1840 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Independent | Catholic |
| Type | Special | Primary |
| Year range | 9-12 | K-6 |
| Students | 664 | 153 |
| Girls / boys | 461 / 203 | 86 / 67 |
| Foundation intake | – | 27 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | 91 | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +66% | +2% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 949 | 1036 |
| ICSEA percentile | 24th | 62th |
| Top SEA quarter | 8% | 21% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 49% | 20% |
| Students per teacher | 10.5 | 12.0 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 63.2 | 12.7 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 42.6 | 5.9 |
| Language background other than English | 0% | 23% |
| Indigenous students | 19% | 9% |
| Suburb | Cooks Hill 2300 | Glendale 2285 |
| Council area | Newcastle | Lake Macquarie |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | atwea.edu.au/high-school-at-alesco/ | www.glendale.catholic.edu.au/ |
The verdict
- •Holy Cross Primary School has the higher ICSEA (1036 vs 949), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Alesco Secondary College has fewer students per teacher (10.5 vs 12.0).
- •Alesco Secondary College is the larger school with 664 students compared with 153.
- •Alesco Secondary College has grown faster over five years (66% vs 2%).
- •Alesco Secondary College is a independent school while Holy Cross 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 Alesco Secondary College better than Holy Cross Primary School?
The two schools are very close on the Success Index. Differences in sector, size, year range and distance from home will matter more than the score.
How far apart are Alesco Secondary College and Holy Cross Primary School?
About 2.0 km in a straight line, between Cooks Hill and Glendale in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Alesco Secondary College has 10.5 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Holy Cross Primary School has 12.0.
How do Alesco Secondary College and Holy Cross Primary School rank in NSW?
Alesco Secondary College is unranked and Holy Cross Primary School is 603rd of 1,619 among special schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.