Charlestown South Public School vs Hillsborough Public School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in New South Wales, 1.1 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Charlestown South Public School
Charlestown · Government primary · K-6
235 students · ICSEA 1075
Hillsborough Public School
Charlestown · Government primary · K-6
164 students · ICSEA 1020
| Measure | Charlestown South Public School Charlestown NSW | Hillsborough Public School Charlestown NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 63 Top 50% | 50 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #540 of 1,619 | #872 of 1,619 |
| National rank (type) | #1652 of 4,908 | #2667 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | K-6 | K-6 |
| Students | 235 | 164 |
| Girls / boys | 112 / 123 | 75 / 89 |
| Foundation intake | 21 | 29 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -10% | -33% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1075 | 1020 |
| ICSEA percentile | 77th | 56th |
| Top SEA quarter | 32% | 21% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 10% | 23% |
| Students per teacher | 17.9 | 15.2 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 13.1 | 10.8 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 2.4 | 2.0 |
| Language background other than English | 16% | 19% |
| Indigenous students | 9% | 14% |
| Suburb | Charlestown 2290 | Charlestown 2290 |
| Council area | Lake Macquarie | Lake Macquarie |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | charlestos-p.schools.nsw.gov.au | hillsboro-p.schools.nsw.gov.au |
The verdict
- •Charlestown South Public School scores higher on the Success Index (62.9 vs 50.2).
- •Charlestown South Public School has the higher ICSEA (1075 vs 1020), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Hillsborough Public School has fewer students per teacher (15.2 vs 17.9).
- •Charlestown South Public School is the larger school with 235 students compared with 164.
- •Charlestown South Public School has grown faster over five years (-10% vs -33%).
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 Belmont
Frequently asked questions
Is Charlestown South Public School better than Hillsborough Public School?
On the Success Index, Charlestown South Public School ranks higher (62.9 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 South Public School and Hillsborough Public School?
About 1.1 km in a straight line, between Charlestown and Charlestown in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Charlestown South Public School has 17.9 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Hillsborough Public School has 15.2.
How do Charlestown South Public School and Hillsborough Public School rank in NSW?
Charlestown South Public School is 540th of 1,619 and Hillsborough Public School is 872nd of 1,619 among primary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.