Balarang Public School vs Nazareth Catholic Primary School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in New South Wales, 1.1 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Balarang Public School
Oak Flats · Government primary · K-6
268 students · ICSEA 974
Nazareth Catholic Primary School
Shellharbour City · Catholic primary · K-6
413 students · ICSEA 1052
| Measure | Balarang Public School Oak Flats NSW | Nazareth Catholic Primary School Shellharbour City NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 41 Lower 50% | 63 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #1072 of 1,619 | #549 of 1,619 |
| National rank (type) | #3354 of 4,908 | #1686 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | K-6 | K-6 |
| Students | 268 | 413 |
| Girls / boys | 117 / 151 | 197 / 216 |
| Foundation intake | 39 | 61 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +5% | +15% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 974 | 1052 |
| ICSEA percentile | 35th | 69th |
| Top SEA quarter | 9% | 22% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 39% | 15% |
| Students per teacher | 16.6 | 16.8 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 16.1 | 24.6 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 2.6 | 11.7 |
| Language background other than English | 11% | 7% |
| Indigenous students | 16% | 4% |
| Suburb | Oak Flats 2529 | Shellharbour City 2529 |
| Council area | Shellharbour | Shellharbour |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | balarang-p.schools.nsw.gov.au | www.nscdow.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Nazareth Catholic Primary School scores higher on the Success Index (62.6 vs 41.0).
- •Nazareth Catholic Primary School has the higher ICSEA (1052 vs 974), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Nazareth Catholic Primary School is the larger school with 413 students compared with 268.
- •Nazareth Catholic Primary School has grown faster over five years (15% vs 5%).
- •Balarang Public School is a government school while Nazareth Catholic 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 Balarang Public School better than Nazareth Catholic Primary School?
On the Success Index, Nazareth Catholic Primary School ranks higher (62.6 vs 41.0 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 Balarang Public School and Nazareth Catholic Primary School?
About 1.1 km in a straight line, between Oak Flats and Shellharbour City in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Balarang Public School has 16.6 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Nazareth Catholic Primary School has 16.8.
How do Balarang Public School and Nazareth Catholic Primary School rank in NSW?
Balarang Public School is 1072nd of 1,619 and Nazareth Catholic Primary School is 549th of 1,619 among primary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.