Charlestown Public School vs St Paul's Primary School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in New South Wales, 1.6 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Charlestown Public School
Charlestown · Government primary · K-6
234 students · ICSEA 1037
St Paul's Primary School
Gateshead · Catholic primary · K-6
294 students · ICSEA 1023
| Measure | Charlestown Public School Charlestown NSW | St Paul's Primary School Gateshead NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 64 Top 50% | 50 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #495 of 1,619 | #873 of 1,619 |
| National rank (type) | #1502 of 4,908 | #2670 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | K-6 | K-6 |
| Students | 234 | 294 |
| Girls / boys | 121 / 113 | 148 / 146 |
| Foundation intake | 35 | 31 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +38% | +2% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1037 | 1023 |
| ICSEA percentile | 63th | 57th |
| Top SEA quarter | 26% | 23% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 22% | 19% |
| Students per teacher | 15.0 | 15.2 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 15.6 | 19.3 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 2.3 | 5.4 |
| Language background other than English | 22% | 8% |
| Indigenous students | 11% | 18% |
| Suburb | Charlestown 2290 | Gateshead 2290 |
| Council area | Lake Macquarie | Lake Macquarie |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | charlestow-p.schools.nsw.gov.au | gatesheadsp.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Charlestown Public School scores higher on the Success Index (64.4 vs 50.2).
- •Charlestown Public School has the higher ICSEA (1037 vs 1023), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •St Paul's Primary School is the larger school with 294 students compared with 234.
- •Charlestown Public School has grown faster over five years (38% vs 2%).
- •Charlestown Public School is a government school while St Paul's 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 Charlestown Public School better than St Paul's Primary School?
On the Success Index, Charlestown Public School ranks higher (64.4 vs 50.2 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 Charlestown Public School and St Paul's Primary School?
About 1.6 km in a straight line, between Charlestown and Gateshead in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Charlestown Public School has 15.0 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Paul's Primary School has 15.2.
How do Charlestown Public School and St Paul's Primary School rank in NSW?
Charlestown Public School is 495th of 1,619 and St Paul's Primary School is 873rd of 1,619 among primary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.