Giant Steps Sydney vs St Joseph's College
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 1.3 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Giant Steps Sydney
Gladesville · Independent special · U
113 students · ICSEA 1103
St Joseph's College
Hunters Hill · Independent high school · 7-12
1,100 students · ICSEA 1130
| Measure | Giant Steps Sydney Gladesville NSW | St Joseph's College Hunters Hill NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | – Not rated | 87 Top 5% |
| State rank (type) | – | #4 of 539 |
| National rank (type) | – | #7 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Independent | Independent |
| Type | Special | Secondary |
| Year range | U | 7-12 |
| Students | 113 | 1,100 |
| Girls / boys | 26 / 87 | 0 / 1,100 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | – | 168 |
| Year 12 cohort | – | 198 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +26% | +1% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1103 | 1130 |
| ICSEA percentile | 85th | 91th |
| Top SEA quarter | 42% | 55% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 5% | 3% |
| Students per teacher | 4.0 | 11.2 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 27.2 | 98.2 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 83.5 | 108.1 |
| Language background other than English | 13% | 12% |
| Indigenous students | 3% | 4% |
| Suburb | Gladesville 2111 | Hunters Hill 2110 |
| Council area | Ryde | Hunters Hill |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.giantsteps.net.au | www.joeys.org/ |
The verdict
- •St Joseph's College has the higher ICSEA (1130 vs 1103), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Giant Steps Sydney has fewer students per teacher (4.0 vs 11.2).
- •St Joseph's College is the larger school with 1,100 students compared with 113.
- •Giant Steps Sydney has grown faster over five years (26% vs 1%).
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 Giant Steps Sydney better than St Joseph's College?
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 Giant Steps Sydney and St Joseph's College?
About 1.3 km in a straight line, between Gladesville and Hunters Hill in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Giant Steps Sydney has 4.0 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Joseph's College has 11.2.
How do Giant Steps Sydney and St Joseph's College rank in NSW?
Giant Steps Sydney is unranked and St Joseph's College is 4th of 539 among special schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.