Ellison Public School vs St Columba's Catholic College
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 1.9 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Ellison Public School
Springwood · Government primary · K-6
283 students · ICSEA 1051
St Columba's Catholic College
Springwood · Catholic high school · 7-12
1,112 students · ICSEA 1088
| Measure | Ellison Public School Springwood NSW | St Columba's Catholic College Springwood NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 58 Top 50% | 72 Top 25% |
| State rank (type) | #688 of 1,619 | #85 of 539 |
| National rank (type) | #2096 of 4,908 | #234 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Secondary |
| Year range | K-6 | 7-12 |
| Students | 283 | 1,112 |
| Girls / boys | 139 / 144 | 554 / 558 |
| Foundation intake | 25 | – |
| Year 7 cohort | – | 209 |
| Year 12 cohort | – | 166 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -8% | +13% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1051 | 1088 |
| ICSEA percentile | 69th | 81th |
| Top SEA quarter | 21% | 36% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 15% | 8% |
| Students per teacher | 15.3 | 13.0 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 18.5 | 85.3 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 4.5 | 23.2 |
| Language background other than English | 6% | 11% |
| Indigenous students | 4% | 5% |
| Suburb | Springwood 2777 | Springwood 2777 |
| Council area | Blue Mountains | Blue Mountains |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | ellison-p.schools.nsw.gov.au | www.stcolumbasspringwood.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Columba's Catholic College scores higher on the Success Index (72.1 vs 57.9).
- •St Columba's Catholic College has the higher ICSEA (1088 vs 1051), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •St Columba's Catholic College has fewer students per teacher (13.0 vs 15.3).
- •St Columba's Catholic College is the larger school with 1,112 students compared with 283.
- •St Columba's Catholic College has grown faster over five years (13% vs -8%).
- •Ellison Public School is a government school while St Columba's Catholic College 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 Ellison Public School better than St Columba's Catholic College?
On the Success Index, St Columba's Catholic College ranks higher (72.1 vs 57.9 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 Ellison Public School and St Columba's Catholic College?
About 1.9 km in a straight line, between Springwood and Springwood in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Ellison Public School has 15.3 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Columba's Catholic College has 13.0.
How do Ellison Public School and St Columba's Catholic College rank in NSW?
Ellison Public School is 688th of 1,619 and St Columba's Catholic College is 85th of 539 among primary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.