Balmain Public School vs Birchgrove Public School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in New South Wales, 903 m apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Balmain Public School
Balmain · Government primary · K-6
321 students · ICSEA 1172
Birchgrove Public School
Balmain · Government primary · P-6
214 students · ICSEA 1132
| Measure | Balmain Public School Balmain NSW | Birchgrove Public School Balmain NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 75 Top 10% | 74 Top 25% |
| State rank (type) | #151 of 1,619 | #167 of 1,619 |
| National rank (type) | #566 of 4,908 | #605 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | K-6 | P-6 |
| Students | 321 | 214 |
| Girls / boys | 149 / 172 | 118 / 96 |
| Foundation intake | 32 | 23 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -16% | -45% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1172 | 1132 |
| ICSEA percentile | 98th | 92th |
| Top SEA quarter | 69% | 57% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 1% | 5% |
| Students per teacher | 17.9 | 13.9 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 17.9 | 15.4 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 2.9 | 4.7 |
| Language background other than English | 38% | 22% |
| Indigenous students | 1% | 4% |
| Suburb | Balmain 2041 | Balmain 2041 |
| Council area | Inner West | Inner West |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | balmain-p.schools.nsw.gov.au | birchgrove-p.schools.nsw.gov.au |
The verdict
- •Both schools have almost identical Success Index scores (74.6 vs 74.2).
- •Balmain Public School has the higher ICSEA (1172 vs 1132), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Birchgrove Public School has fewer students per teacher (13.9 vs 17.9).
- •Balmain Public School is the larger school with 321 students compared with 214.
- •Balmain Public School has grown faster over five years (-16% vs -45%).
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 Balmain Public School better than Birchgrove Public 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 Balmain Public School and Birchgrove Public School?
About 903 m in a straight line, between Balmain and Balmain in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Balmain Public School has 17.9 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Birchgrove Public School has 13.9.
How do Balmain Public School and Birchgrove Public School rank in NSW?
Balmain Public School is 151st of 1,619 and Birchgrove Public School is 167th of 1,619 among primary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.