Alesco Secondary College vs St Patrick's Primary School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 1.6 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
St Patrick's Primary School
Wallsend · Catholic primary · K-6
323 students · ICSEA 1076
| Measure | Alesco Secondary College Cooks Hill NSW | St Patrick's Primary School Wallsend NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | – Not rated | 72 Top 25% |
| State rank (type) | – | #253 of 1,619 |
| National rank (type) | – | #855 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Independent | Catholic |
| Type | Special | Primary |
| Year range | 9-12 | K-6 |
| Students | 664 | 323 |
| Girls / boys | 461 / 203 | 145 / 178 |
| Foundation intake | – | 44 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | 91 | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +66% | +8% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 949 | 1076 |
| ICSEA percentile | 24th | 77th |
| Top SEA quarter | 8% | 34% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 49% | 11% |
| Students per teacher | 10.5 | 15.2 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 63.2 | 21.3 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 42.6 | 6.6 |
| Language background other than English | 0% | 33% |
| Indigenous students | 19% | 7% |
| Suburb | Cooks Hill 2300 | Wallsend 2287 |
| Council area | Newcastle | Newcastle |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | atwea.edu.au/high-school-at-alesco/ | wallsend.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Patrick's Primary School has the higher ICSEA (1076 vs 949), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Alesco Secondary College has fewer students per teacher (10.5 vs 15.2).
- •Alesco Secondary College is the larger school with 664 students compared with 323.
- •Alesco Secondary College has grown faster over five years (66% vs 8%).
- •Alesco Secondary College is a independent school while St Patrick'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 Alesco Secondary College better than St Patrick's 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 St Patrick's Primary School?
About 1.6 km in a straight line, between Cooks Hill and Wallsend 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 St Patrick's Primary School has 15.2.
How do Alesco Secondary College and St Patrick's Primary School rank in NSW?
Alesco Secondary College is unranked and St Patrick's Primary School is 253rd of 1,619 among special schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.