Heritage Christian School vs St Joseph's Primary 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.
Heritage Christian School
Port Macquarie · Independent combined · K-12
345 students · ICSEA 1032
St Joseph's Primary School
Port Macquarie · Catholic primary · K-6
397 students · ICSEA 1017
| Measure | Heritage Christian School Port Macquarie NSW | St Joseph's Primary School Port Macquarie NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 53 Top 50% | 57 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #184 of 314 | #698 of 1,619 |
| National rank (type) | #585 of 1,259 | #2129 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Independent | Catholic |
| Type | Combined | Primary |
| Year range | K-12 | K-6 |
| Students | 345 | 397 |
| Girls / boys | 161 / 184 | 187 / 210 |
| Foundation intake | 35 | 52 |
| Year 7 cohort | 29 | – |
| Year 12 cohort | 16 | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -7% | +4% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1032 | 1017 |
| ICSEA percentile | 61th | 55th |
| Top SEA quarter | 24% | 17% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 17% | 23% |
| Students per teacher | 11.5 | 13.3 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 29.9 | 29.8 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 16.8 | 10.3 |
| Language background other than English | 8% | 16% |
| Indigenous students | 13% | 12% |
| Suburb | Port Macquarie 2444 | Port Macquarie 2444 |
| Council area | Port Macquarie-Hastings | Port Macquarie-Hastings |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | www.heritage.nsw.edu.au | www.pmacjlism.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Joseph's Primary School scores higher on the Success Index (57.4 vs 53.2).
- •Heritage Christian School has the higher ICSEA (1032 vs 1017), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Heritage Christian School has fewer students per teacher (11.5 vs 13.3).
- •St Joseph's Primary School is the larger school with 397 students compared with 345.
- •St Joseph's Primary School has grown faster over five years (4% vs -7%).
- •Heritage Christian School is a independent 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 Heritage Christian School better than St Joseph's Primary School?
On the Success Index, St Joseph's Primary School ranks higher (57.4 vs 53.2 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 Heritage Christian School and St Joseph's Primary School?
About 1.4 km in a straight line, between Port Macquarie and Port Macquarie in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Heritage Christian School has 11.5 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Joseph's Primary School has 13.3.
How do Heritage Christian School and St Joseph's Primary School rank in NSW?
Heritage Christian School is 184th of 314 and St Joseph's Primary School is 698th of 1,619 among combined schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.