Harwood Island Public School vs Pacific Valley Christian School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 4.6 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Harwood Island Public School
Harwood · Government primary · K-6
34 students · ICSEA 943
Pacific Valley Christian School
Townsend · Independent combined · K-12
277 students · ICSEA 985
| Measure | Harwood Island Public School Harwood NSW | Pacific Valley Christian School Townsend NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 31 Lower 50% | 34 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | – | #262 of 314 |
| National rank (type) | – | #976 of 1,259 |
| Sector | Government | Independent |
| Type | Primary | Combined |
| Year range | K-6 | K-12 |
| Students | 34 | 277 |
| Girls / boys | 14 / 20 | 137 / 140 |
| Foundation intake | 6 | 19 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | 33 |
| Year 12 cohort | – | 16 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -31% | -16% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 943 | 985 |
| ICSEA percentile | 22th | 40th |
| Top SEA quarter | 3% | 10% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 47% | 35% |
| Students per teacher | 12.1 | 11.6 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 2.8 | 23.9 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 0.9 | 13.3 |
| Language background other than English | 3% | 11% |
| Indigenous students | 18% | 10% |
| Suburb | Harwood 2465 | Townsend 2463 |
| Council area | Clarence Valley | Clarence Valley |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | harwood-p.schools.nsw.gov.au | www.pacificvalley.nsw.edu.au/ |
The verdict
- •Pacific Valley Christian School scores higher on the Success Index (34.2 vs 30.5).
- •Pacific Valley Christian School has the higher ICSEA (985 vs 943), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Pacific Valley Christian School has fewer students per teacher (11.6 vs 12.1).
- •Pacific Valley Christian School is the larger school with 277 students compared with 34.
- •Pacific Valley Christian School has grown faster over five years (-16% vs -31%).
- •Harwood Island Public School is a government school while Pacific Valley Christian 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 Harwood Island Public School better than Pacific Valley Christian School?
On the Success Index, Pacific Valley Christian School ranks higher (34.2 vs 30.5 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 Harwood Island Public School and Pacific Valley Christian School?
About 4.6 km in a straight line, between Harwood and Townsend in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Harwood Island Public School has 12.1 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Pacific Valley Christian School has 11.6.
How do Harwood Island Public School and Pacific Valley Christian School rank in NSW?
Harwood Island Public School is unranked and Pacific Valley Christian School is 262nd of 314 among primary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.