Balgowlah North Public School vs St Kieran's Catholic Primary School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in New South Wales, 1.9 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Balgowlah North Public School
North Balgowlah · Government primary · K-6
381 students · ICSEA 1169
St Kieran's Catholic Primary School
Manly Vale · Catholic primary · K-6
141 students · ICSEA 1122
| Measure | Balgowlah North Public School North Balgowlah NSW | St Kieran's Catholic Primary School Manly Vale NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 76 Top 10% | 74 Top 25% |
| State rank (type) | #128 of 1,619 | #183 of 1,619 |
| National rank (type) | #479 of 4,908 | #663 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | K-6 | K-6 |
| Students | 381 | 141 |
| Girls / boys | 194 / 187 | 66 / 75 |
| Foundation intake | 50 | 22 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -25% | -44% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1169 | 1122 |
| ICSEA percentile | 98th | 90th |
| Top SEA quarter | 68% | 46% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 1% | 2% |
| Students per teacher | 19.0 | 13.1 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 20.1 | 10.8 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 3.4 | 2.1 |
| Language background other than English | 13% | 20% |
| Indigenous students | 0% | 0% |
| Suburb | North Balgowlah 2093 | Manly Vale 2093 |
| Council area | Northern Beaches | Northern Beaches |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | balgowlahn-p.schools.nsw.gov.au | www.skmvdbb.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Balgowlah North Public School scores higher on the Success Index (75.7 vs 73.7).
- •Balgowlah North Public School has the higher ICSEA (1169 vs 1122), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •St Kieran's Catholic Primary School has fewer students per teacher (13.1 vs 19.0).
- •Balgowlah North Public School is the larger school with 381 students compared with 141.
- •Balgowlah North Public School has grown faster over five years (-25% vs -44%).
- •Balgowlah North Public School is a government school while St Kieran's 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.
Free academic assessment
Torn between two schools? Start with your child.
Whichever you choose, a free Success Tutoring assessment shows exactly where your child is in English and Maths and how to get ahead before the next school year.
- Personalised learning plan mapped to the Australian Curriculum
- English & Maths from Kindergarten to Year 12
- Flexible memberships, no lock-in contracts
- Your nearest centre: Success Tutoring Dee Why
Frequently asked questions
Is Balgowlah North Public School better than St Kieran's Catholic Primary School?
On the Success Index, Balgowlah North Public School ranks higher (75.7 vs 73.7 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 Balgowlah North Public School and St Kieran's Catholic Primary School?
About 1.9 km in a straight line, between North Balgowlah and Manly Vale in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Balgowlah North Public School has 19.0 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Kieran's Catholic Primary School has 13.1.
How do Balgowlah North Public School and St Kieran's Catholic Primary School rank in NSW?
Balgowlah North Public School is 128th of 1,619 and St Kieran's Catholic Primary School is 183rd of 1,619 among primary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.