Harwood Island Public School vs St Joseph's Primary School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in New South Wales, 5.3 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
St Joseph's Primary School
Maclean · Catholic primary · K-6
135 students · ICSEA 1019
| Measure | Harwood Island Public School Harwood NSW | St Joseph's Primary School Maclean NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 31 Lower 50% | 60 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | – | #625 of 1,619 |
| National rank (type) | – | #1902 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | K-6 | K-6 |
| Students | 34 | 135 |
| Girls / boys | 14 / 20 | 63 / 72 |
| Foundation intake | 6 | 25 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -31% | +42% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 943 | 1019 |
| ICSEA percentile | 22th | 55th |
| Top SEA quarter | 3% | 20% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 47% | 20% |
| Students per teacher | 12.1 | 12.3 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 2.8 | 11.0 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 0.9 | 4.7 |
| Language background other than English | 3% | 8% |
| Indigenous students | 18% | 13% |
| Suburb | Harwood 2465 | Maclean 2463 |
| Council area | Clarence Valley | Clarence Valley |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | harwood-p.schools.nsw.gov.au | www.maclplism.catholic.edu.au/ |
The verdict
- •St Joseph's Primary School scores higher on the Success Index (60.3 vs 30.5).
- •St Joseph's Primary School has the higher ICSEA (1019 vs 943), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •St Joseph's Primary School is the larger school with 135 students compared with 34.
- •St Joseph's Primary School has grown faster over five years (42% vs -31%).
- •Harwood Island Public School is a government school while St Joseph's 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 Harwood Island Public School better than St Joseph's Primary School?
On the Success Index, St Joseph's Primary School ranks higher (60.3 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 St Joseph's Primary School?
About 5.3 km in a straight line, between Harwood and Maclean 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 St Joseph's Primary School has 12.3.
How do Harwood Island Public School and St Joseph's Primary School rank in NSW?
Harwood Island Public School is unranked and St Joseph's Primary School is 625th of 1,619 among primary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.