Harbord Public School vs St John the Baptist Catholic Primary School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in New South Wales, 346 m apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Harbord Public School
Freshwater · Government primary · K-6
881 students · ICSEA 1137
St John the Baptist Catholic Primary School
Freshwater · Catholic primary · K-6
163 students · ICSEA 1134
| Measure | Harbord Public School Freshwater NSW | St John the Baptist Catholic Primary School Freshwater NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 71 Top 25% | 74 Top 25% |
| State rank (type) | #270 of 1,619 | #178 of 1,619 |
| National rank (type) | #916 of 4,908 | #652 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | K-6 | K-6 |
| Students | 881 | 163 |
| Girls / boys | 449 / 432 | 86 / 77 |
| Foundation intake | 122 | 20 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -17% | -36% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1137 | 1134 |
| ICSEA percentile | 93th | 92th |
| Top SEA quarter | 56% | 55% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 4% | 1% |
| Students per teacher | 19.1 | 13.9 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 46.2 | 11.7 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 5.2 | 3.1 |
| Language background other than English | 20% | 16% |
| Indigenous students | 1% | 1% |
| Suburb | Freshwater 2096 | Freshwater 2096 |
| Council area | Northern Beaches | Northern Beaches |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | harbord-p.schools.nsw.gov.au | www.sjbfdbb.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St John the Baptist Catholic Primary School scores higher on the Success Index (73.8 vs 71.0).
- •Harbord Public School has the higher ICSEA (1137 vs 1134), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •St John the Baptist Catholic Primary School has fewer students per teacher (13.9 vs 19.1).
- •Harbord Public School is the larger school with 881 students compared with 163.
- •Harbord Public School has grown faster over five years (-17% vs -36%).
- •Harbord Public School is a government school while St John the Baptist 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 Harbord Public School better than St John the Baptist Catholic Primary School?
On the Success Index, St John the Baptist Catholic Primary School ranks higher (73.8 vs 71.0 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 Harbord Public School and St John the Baptist Catholic Primary School?
About 346 m in a straight line, between Freshwater and Freshwater in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Harbord Public School has 19.1 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St John the Baptist Catholic Primary School has 13.9.
How do Harbord Public School and St John the Baptist Catholic Primary School rank in NSW?
Harbord Public School is 270th of 1,619 and St John the Baptist Catholic Primary School is 178th of 1,619 among primary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.