Illaroo Road Public School vs St Michael's Catholic Primary School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in New South Wales, 1.7 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Illaroo Road Public School
North Nowra · Government primary · K-6
451 students · ICSEA 992
St Michael's Catholic Primary School
Nowra · Catholic primary · K-6
537 students · ICSEA 994
| Measure | Illaroo Road Public School North Nowra NSW | St Michael's Catholic Primary School Nowra NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 35 Lower 50% | 43 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #1204 of 1,619 | #1023 of 1,619 |
| National rank (type) | #3741 of 4,908 | #3191 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | K-6 | K-6 |
| Students | 451 | 537 |
| Girls / boys | 215 / 236 | 281 / 256 |
| Foundation intake | 53 | 85 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -17% | -1% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 992 | 994 |
| ICSEA percentile | 43th | 44th |
| Top SEA quarter | 14% | 13% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 32% | 25% |
| Students per teacher | 16.3 | 15.3 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 27.6 | 35.0 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 6.6 | 29.9 |
| Language background other than English | 13% | 6% |
| Indigenous students | 18% | 15% |
| Suburb | North Nowra 2541 | Nowra 2541 |
| Council area | Shoalhaven | Shoalhaven |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | illaroo-p.schools.nsw.gov.au | www.smndow.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Michael's Catholic Primary School scores higher on the Success Index (43.4 vs 35.4).
- •St Michael's Catholic Primary School has the higher ICSEA (994 vs 992), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •St Michael's Catholic Primary School has fewer students per teacher (15.3 vs 16.3).
- •St Michael's Catholic Primary School is the larger school with 537 students compared with 451.
- •St Michael's Catholic Primary School has grown faster over five years (-1% vs -17%).
- •Illaroo Road Public School is a government school while St Michael's Catholic 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 Illaroo Road Public School better than St Michael's Catholic Primary School?
On the Success Index, St Michael's Catholic Primary School ranks higher (43.4 vs 35.4 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 Illaroo Road Public School and St Michael's Catholic Primary School?
About 1.7 km in a straight line, between North Nowra and Nowra in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Illaroo Road Public School has 16.3 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Michael's Catholic Primary School has 15.3.
How do Illaroo Road Public School and St Michael's Catholic Primary School rank in NSW?
Illaroo Road Public School is 1204th of 1,619 and St Michael's Catholic Primary School is 1023rd of 1,619 among primary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.