Harbord Public School vs St Luke's Grammar School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 1.4 km 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 Luke's Grammar School
Dee Why · Independent combined · K-12
1,481 students · ICSEA 1178
| Measure | Harbord Public School Freshwater NSW | St Luke's Grammar School Dee Why NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 71 Top 25% | 85 Top 5% |
| State rank (type) | #270 of 1,619 | #14 of 314 |
| National rank (type) | #916 of 4,908 | #46 of 1,259 |
| Sector | Government | Independent |
| Type | Primary | Combined |
| Year range | K-6 | K-12 |
| Students | 881 | 1,481 |
| Girls / boys | 449 / 432 | 719 / 762 |
| Foundation intake | 122 | 73 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | 168 |
| Year 12 cohort | – | 128 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -17% | +24% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1137 | 1178 |
| ICSEA percentile | 93th | 98th |
| Top SEA quarter | 56% | 71% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 4% | 1% |
| Students per teacher | 19.1 | 12.1 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 46.2 | 122.1 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 5.2 | 44.8 |
| Language background other than English | 20% | 14% |
| Indigenous students | 1% | 0% |
| Suburb | Freshwater 2096 | Dee Why 2099 |
| Council area | Northern Beaches | Northern Beaches |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | harbord-p.schools.nsw.gov.au | www.stlukes.nsw.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Luke's Grammar School scores higher on the Success Index (84.6 vs 71.0).
- •St Luke's Grammar School has the higher ICSEA (1178 vs 1137), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •St Luke's Grammar School has fewer students per teacher (12.1 vs 19.1).
- •St Luke's Grammar School is the larger school with 1,481 students compared with 881.
- •St Luke's Grammar School has grown faster over five years (24% vs -17%).
- •Harbord Public School is a government school while St Luke's Grammar School is an independent 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 Luke's Grammar School?
On the Success Index, St Luke's Grammar School ranks higher (84.6 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 Luke's Grammar School?
About 1.4 km in a straight line, between Freshwater and Dee Why 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 Luke's Grammar School has 12.1.
How do Harbord Public School and St Luke's Grammar School rank in NSW?
Harbord Public School is 270th of 1,619 and St Luke's Grammar School is 14th of 314 among primary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.