Castle Cove Public School vs Mercy Catholic College
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 1.9 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Castle Cove Public School
Castle Cove · Government primary · K-6
273 students · ICSEA 1167
Mercy Catholic College
Chatswood · Catholic high school · 7-12
728 students · ICSEA 1134
| Measure | Castle Cove Public School Castle Cove NSW | Mercy Catholic College Chatswood NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 75 Top 10% | 77 Top 10% |
| State rank (type) | #156 of 1,619 | #45 of 539 |
| National rank (type) | #575 of 4,908 | #119 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Secondary |
| Year range | K-6 | 7-12 |
| Students | 273 | 728 |
| Girls / boys | 133 / 140 | 728 / 0 |
| Foundation intake | 32 | – |
| Year 7 cohort | – | 126 |
| Year 12 cohort | – | 125 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -39% | +3% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1167 | 1134 |
| ICSEA percentile | 97th | 92th |
| Top SEA quarter | 67% | 52% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 1% | 2% |
| Students per teacher | 16.7 | 12.9 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 16.3 | 56.4 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 3.1 | 11.5 |
| Language background other than English | 37% | 41% |
| Indigenous students | 0% | 0% |
| Suburb | Castle Cove 2069 | Chatswood 2067 |
| Council area | Willoughby | Willoughby |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | castlecove-p.schools.nsw.gov.au | www.mercychatswood.nsw.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Mercy Catholic College scores higher on the Success Index (76.7 vs 74.5).
- •Castle Cove Public School has the higher ICSEA (1167 vs 1134), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Mercy Catholic College has fewer students per teacher (12.9 vs 16.7).
- •Mercy Catholic College is the larger school with 728 students compared with 273.
- •Mercy Catholic College has grown faster over five years (3% vs -39%).
- •Castle Cove Public School is a government school while Mercy 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 Castle Cove Public School better than Mercy Catholic College?
On the Success Index, Mercy Catholic College ranks higher (76.7 vs 74.5 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 Castle Cove Public School and Mercy Catholic College?
About 1.9 km in a straight line, between Castle Cove and Chatswood in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Castle Cove Public School has 16.7 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Mercy Catholic College has 12.9.
How do Castle Cove Public School and Mercy Catholic College rank in NSW?
Castle Cove Public School is 156th of 1,619 and Mercy Catholic College is 45th of 539 among primary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.