Inner Sydney High School vs Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Primary School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 1.1 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Inner Sydney High School
Surry Hills · Government high school · 7-12
1,161 students · ICSEA 1104
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Primary School
Waterloo · Catholic primary · K-6
76 students · ICSEA 938
| Measure | Inner Sydney High School Surry Hills NSW | Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Primary School Waterloo NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 76 Top 25% | 40 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #54 of 539 | – |
| National rank (type) | #153 of 1,472 | – |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Secondary | Primary |
| Year range | 7-12 | K-6 |
| Students | 1,161 | 76 |
| Girls / boys | 493 / 668 | 46 / 30 |
| Foundation intake | – | 5 |
| Year 7 cohort | 213 | – |
| Year 12 cohort | 147 | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +690% | -6% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1104 | 938 |
| ICSEA percentile | 85th | 20th |
| Top SEA quarter | 44% | 18% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 7% | 37% |
| Students per teacher | 15.0 | 6.1 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 77.5 | 12.4 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 14.6 | 3.4 |
| Language background other than English | 48% | 78% |
| Indigenous students | 4% | 42% |
| Suburb | Surry Hills 2010 | Waterloo 2017 |
| Council area | Sydney | Sydney |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | innersydneyhighschool.schools.nsw.gov.au | olmcwaterloo.syd.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Inner Sydney High School scores higher on the Success Index (75.6 vs 39.8).
- •Inner Sydney High School has the higher ICSEA (1104 vs 938), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Primary School has fewer students per teacher (6.1 vs 15.0).
- •Inner Sydney High School is the larger school with 1,161 students compared with 76.
- •Inner Sydney High School has grown faster over five years (690% vs -6%).
- •Inner Sydney High School is a government school while Our Lady of Mount Carmel 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 Inner Sydney High School better than Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Primary School?
On the Success Index, Inner Sydney High School ranks higher (75.6 vs 39.8 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 Inner Sydney High School and Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Primary School?
About 1.1 km in a straight line, between Surry Hills and Waterloo in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Inner Sydney High School has 15.0 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Primary School has 6.1.
How do Inner Sydney High School and Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Primary School rank in NSW?
Inner Sydney High School is 54th of 539 and Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Primary School is unranked among secondary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.