Dee Why Public School vs St John the Apostle Catholic Primary School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in New South Wales, 1.0 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Dee Why Public School
Dee Why · Government primary · K-6
478 students · ICSEA 1028
St John the Apostle Catholic Primary School
Narraweena · Catholic primary · K-6
247 students · ICSEA 1091
| Measure | Dee Why Public School Dee Why NSW | St John the Apostle Catholic Primary School Narraweena NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 55 Top 50% | 68 Top 25% |
| State rank (type) | #760 of 1,619 | #388 of 1,619 |
| National rank (type) | #2323 of 4,908 | #1215 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | K-6 | K-6 |
| Students | 478 | 247 |
| Girls / boys | 230 / 248 | 128 / 119 |
| Foundation intake | 64 | 46 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -14% | -10% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1028 | 1091 |
| ICSEA percentile | 59th | 82th |
| Top SEA quarter | 16% | 36% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 25% | 8% |
| Students per teacher | 15.7 | 15.2 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 30.5 | 16.2 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 5.3 | 3.8 |
| Language background other than English | 67% | 27% |
| Indigenous students | 1% | 2% |
| Suburb | Dee Why 2099 | Narraweena 2099 |
| Council area | Northern Beaches | Northern Beaches |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | deewhy-p.schools.nsw.gov.au | www.sjandbb.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St John the Apostle Catholic Primary School scores higher on the Success Index (67.9 vs 55.0).
- •St John the Apostle Catholic Primary School has the higher ICSEA (1091 vs 1028), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Dee Why Public School is the larger school with 478 students compared with 247.
- •Dee Why Public School is a government school while St John the Apostle 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 Dee Why Public School better than St John the Apostle Catholic Primary School?
On the Success Index, St John the Apostle Catholic Primary School ranks higher (67.9 vs 55.0 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 Dee Why Public School and St John the Apostle Catholic Primary School?
About 1.0 km in a straight line, between Dee Why and Narraweena in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Dee Why Public School has 15.7 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St John the Apostle Catholic Primary School has 15.2.
How do Dee Why Public School and St John the Apostle Catholic Primary School rank in NSW?
Dee Why Public School is 760th of 1,619 and St John the Apostle Catholic Primary School is 388th of 1,619 among primary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.