Dunlea Centre, Australia's Original Boys' Town vs St John Bosco Catholic Primary School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 319 m apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Dunlea Centre, Australia's Original Boys' Town
Engadine · Independent special · 4-12
55 students · ICSEA 962
St John Bosco Catholic Primary School
Engadine · Catholic primary · K-6
772 students · ICSEA 1094
| Measure | Dunlea Centre, Australia's Original Boys' Town Engadine NSW | St John Bosco Catholic Primary School Engadine NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | – Not rated | 65 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | – | #480 of 1,619 |
| National rank (type) | – | #1460 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Independent | Catholic |
| Type | Special | Primary |
| Year range | 4-12 | K-6 |
| Students | 55 | 772 |
| Girls / boys | 18 / 37 | 373 / 399 |
| Foundation intake | – | 109 |
| Year 7 cohort | 6 | – |
| Year 12 cohort | 4 | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +28% | -3% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 962 | 1094 |
| ICSEA percentile | 30th | 83th |
| Top SEA quarter | 5% | 35% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 43% | 6% |
| Students per teacher | 5.6 | 18.6 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 9.8 | 41.4 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 21.8 | 10.9 |
| Language background other than English | 2% | 19% |
| Indigenous students | 15% | 3% |
| Suburb | Engadine 2233 | Engadine 2233 |
| Council area | Sutherland | Sutherland |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.dunleacentre.org.au | sjbpsengadine.syd.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St John Bosco Catholic Primary School has the higher ICSEA (1094 vs 962), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Dunlea Centre, Australia's Original Boys' Town has fewer students per teacher (5.6 vs 18.6).
- •St John Bosco Catholic Primary School is the larger school with 772 students compared with 55.
- •Dunlea Centre, Australia's Original Boys' Town has grown faster over five years (28% vs -3%).
- •Dunlea Centre, Australia's Original Boys' Town is a independent school while St John Bosco 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.
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 Panania
Frequently asked questions
Is Dunlea Centre, Australia's Original Boys' Town better than St John Bosco Catholic Primary School?
The two schools are very close on the Success Index. Differences in sector, size, year range and distance from home will matter more than the score.
How far apart are Dunlea Centre, Australia's Original Boys' Town and St John Bosco Catholic Primary School?
About 319 m in a straight line, between Engadine and Engadine in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Dunlea Centre, Australia's Original Boys' Town has 5.6 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St John Bosco Catholic Primary School has 18.6.
How do Dunlea Centre, Australia's Original Boys' Town and St John Bosco Catholic Primary School rank in NSW?
Dunlea Centre, Australia's Original Boys' Town is unranked and St John Bosco Catholic Primary School is 480th of 1,619 among special schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.