Harwood Island Public School vs Palmers Island Public School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in New South Wales, 4.7 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
Palmers Island Public School
Palmers Island · Government primary · K-6
56 students · ICSEA 944
| Measure | Harwood Island Public School Harwood NSW | Palmers Island Public School Palmers Island NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 31 Lower 50% | 34 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | – | – |
| National rank (type) | – | – |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | K-6 | K-6 |
| Students | 34 | 56 |
| Girls / boys | 14 / 20 | 23 / 33 |
| Foundation intake | 6 | 5 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -31% | +47% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 943 | 944 |
| ICSEA percentile | 22th | 23th |
| Top SEA quarter | 3% | 4% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 47% | 51% |
| Students per teacher | 12.1 | 8.8 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 2.8 | 6.4 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 0.9 | 3.5 |
| Language background other than English | 3% | 13% |
| Indigenous students | 18% | 14% |
| Suburb | Harwood 2465 | Palmers Island 2463 |
| Council area | Clarence Valley | Clarence Valley |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | harwood-p.schools.nsw.gov.au | palmersisl-p.schools.nsw.gov.au |
The verdict
- •Palmers Island Public School scores higher on the Success Index (33.8 vs 30.5).
- •Palmers Island Public School has the higher ICSEA (944 vs 943), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Palmers Island Public School has fewer students per teacher (8.8 vs 12.1).
- •Palmers Island Public School is the larger school with 56 students compared with 34.
- •Palmers Island Public School has grown faster over five years (47% vs -31%).
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 Palmers Island Public School?
On the Success Index, Palmers Island Public School ranks higher (33.8 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 Palmers Island Public School?
About 4.7 km in a straight line, between Harwood and Palmers Island 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 Palmers Island Public School has 8.8.
How do Harwood Island Public School and Palmers Island Public School rank in NSW?
Harwood Island Public School is unranked and Palmers Island Public School is unranked among primary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.