Garden Suburb Public School vs St James' Primary School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in New South Wales, 1.6 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Garden Suburb Public School
Garden Suburb · Government primary · K-6
227 students · ICSEA 1045
St James' Primary School
Kotara South · Catholic primary · K-6
334 students · ICSEA 1104
| Measure | Garden Suburb Public School Garden Suburb NSW | St James' Primary School Kotara South NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 66 Top 25% | 62 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #458 of 1,619 | #556 of 1,619 |
| National rank (type) | #1372 of 4,908 | #1704 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | K-6 | K-6 |
| Students | 227 | 334 |
| Girls / boys | 103 / 124 | 169 / 165 |
| Foundation intake | 27 | 48 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +9% | -15% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1045 | 1104 |
| ICSEA percentile | 66th | 85th |
| Top SEA quarter | 29% | 40% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 17% | 4% |
| Students per teacher | 13.6 | 16.2 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 16.7 | 20.6 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 5.4 | 8.2 |
| Language background other than English | 12% | 11% |
| Indigenous students | 13% | 3% |
| Suburb | Garden Suburb 2289 | Kotara South 2289 |
| Council area | Lake Macquarie | Newcastle |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | gardensub-p.schools.nsw.gov.au | kotarasouth.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Garden Suburb Public School scores higher on the Success Index (66.0 vs 62.4).
- •St James' Primary School has the higher ICSEA (1104 vs 1045), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Garden Suburb Public School has fewer students per teacher (13.6 vs 16.2).
- •St James' Primary School is the larger school with 334 students compared with 227.
- •Garden Suburb Public School has grown faster over five years (9% vs -15%).
- •Garden Suburb Public School is a government school while St James' 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 Garden Suburb Public School better than St James' Primary School?
On the Success Index, Garden Suburb Public School ranks higher (66.0 vs 62.4 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 Garden Suburb Public School and St James' Primary School?
About 1.6 km in a straight line, between Garden Suburb and Kotara South in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Garden Suburb Public School has 13.6 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St James' Primary School has 16.2.
How do Garden Suburb Public School and St James' Primary School rank in NSW?
Garden Suburb Public School is 458th of 1,619 and St James' Primary School is 556th of 1,619 among primary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.