Cowan Public School vs St Bernard's Catholic Primary School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in New South Wales, 3.6 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Cowan Public School
Cowan · Government primary · K-6
24 students · ICSEA 1063
St Bernard's Catholic Primary School
Berowra Heights · Catholic primary · K-6
297 students · ICSEA 1131
| Measure | Cowan Public School Cowan NSW | St Bernard's Catholic Primary School Berowra Heights NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 64 Top 50% | 79 Top 10% |
| State rank (type) | – | #71 of 1,619 |
| National rank (type) | – | #287 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | K-6 | K-6 |
| Students | 24 | 297 |
| Girls / boys | 9 / 15 | 142 / 155 |
| Foundation intake | 5 | 52 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -47% | +68% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1063 | 1131 |
| ICSEA percentile | 73th | 91th |
| Top SEA quarter | 17% | 52% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 3% | 3% |
| Students per teacher | 7.7 | 16.3 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 3.1 | 18.2 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 2.4 | 5.1 |
| Language background other than English | 26% | 21% |
| Indigenous students | 0% | 0% |
| Suburb | Cowan 2081 | Berowra Heights 2082 |
| Council area | Hornsby | Hornsby |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Major Cities |
| Website | cowan-p.schools.nsw.gov.au | www.sbbdbb.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Bernard's Catholic Primary School scores higher on the Success Index (78.5 vs 63.9).
- •St Bernard's Catholic Primary School has the higher ICSEA (1131 vs 1063), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Cowan Public School has fewer students per teacher (7.7 vs 16.3).
- •St Bernard's Catholic Primary School is the larger school with 297 students compared with 24.
- •St Bernard's Catholic Primary School has grown faster over five years (68% vs -47%).
- •Cowan Public School is a government school while St Bernard's Catholic 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 Cowan Public School better than St Bernard's Catholic Primary School?
On the Success Index, St Bernard's Catholic Primary School ranks higher (78.5 vs 63.9 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 Cowan Public School and St Bernard's Catholic Primary School?
About 3.6 km in a straight line, between Cowan and Berowra Heights in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Cowan Public School has 7.7 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Bernard's Catholic Primary School has 16.3.
How do Cowan Public School and St Bernard's Catholic Primary School rank in NSW?
Cowan Public School is unranked and St Bernard's Catholic Primary School is 71st of 1,619 among primary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.