Barker College vs St Leo's Catholic College
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 835 m apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Barker College
Hornsby · Independent combined · K-12
2,856 students · ICSEA 1166
St Leo's Catholic College
Wahroonga · Catholic high school · 7-12
1,055 students · ICSEA 1113
| Measure | Barker College Hornsby NSW | St Leo's Catholic College Wahroonga NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 80 Top 10% | 80 Top 5% |
| State rank (type) | #43 of 314 | #20 of 539 |
| National rank (type) | #105 of 1,259 | #68 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Independent | Catholic |
| Type | Combined | Secondary |
| Year range | K-12 | 7-12 |
| Students | 2,856 | 1,055 |
| Girls / boys | 1,173 / 1,683 | 455 / 600 |
| Foundation intake | 58 | – |
| Year 7 cohort | 343 | 188 |
| Year 12 cohort | 361 | 136 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +20% | +40% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1166 | 1113 |
| ICSEA percentile | 97th | 88th |
| Top SEA quarter | 71% | 44% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 2% | 4% |
| Students per teacher | 10.1 | 13.5 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 282.6 | 78.4 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 234.2 | 14.4 |
| Language background other than English | 15% | 22% |
| Indigenous students | 1% | 1% |
| Suburb | Hornsby 2077 | Wahroonga 2076 |
| Council area | Hornsby | Hornsby |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.barker.college | www.stleos.nsw.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Both schools have almost identical Success Index scores (80.3 vs 80.1).
- •Barker College has the higher ICSEA (1166 vs 1113), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Barker College has fewer students per teacher (10.1 vs 13.5).
- •Barker College is the larger school with 2,856 students compared with 1,055.
- •St Leo's Catholic College has grown faster over five years (40% vs 20%).
- •Barker College is a independent school while St Leo's Catholic College 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 Barker College better than St Leo's Catholic College?
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 Barker College and St Leo's Catholic College?
About 835 m in a straight line, between Hornsby and Wahroonga in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Barker College has 10.1 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Leo's Catholic College has 13.5.
How do Barker College and St Leo's Catholic College rank in NSW?
Barker College is 43rd of 314 and St Leo's Catholic College is 20th of 539 among combined schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.