John Purchase Public School vs Tangara School for Girls
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 2.0 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
John Purchase Public School
Cherrybrook · Government primary · K-6
550 students · ICSEA 1168
Tangara School for Girls
Cherrybrook · Independent combined · K-12
771 students · ICSEA 1141
| Measure | John Purchase Public School Cherrybrook NSW | Tangara School for Girls Cherrybrook NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 78 Top 10% | 75 Top 25% |
| State rank (type) | #90 of 1,619 | #64 of 314 |
| National rank (type) | #349 of 4,908 | #185 of 1,259 |
| Sector | Government | Independent |
| Type | Primary | Combined |
| Year range | K-6 | K-12 |
| Students | 550 | 771 |
| Girls / boys | 271 / 279 | 703 / 68 |
| Foundation intake | 50 | 91 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | 58 |
| Year 12 cohort | – | 44 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -16% | +24% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1168 | 1141 |
| ICSEA percentile | 98th | 94th |
| Top SEA quarter | 68% | 62% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 2% | 2% |
| Students per teacher | 19.3 | 13.3 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 28.5 | 58.0 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 4.0 | 31.2 |
| Language background other than English | 80% | 36% |
| Indigenous students | 0% | 0% |
| Suburb | Cherrybrook 2126 | Cherrybrook 2126 |
| Council area | Hornsby | Hornsby |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | johnpurch-p.schools.nsw.gov.au | www.tangara.nsw.edu.au |
The verdict
- •John Purchase Public School scores higher on the Success Index (77.7 vs 74.8).
- •John Purchase Public School has the higher ICSEA (1168 vs 1141), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Tangara School for Girls has fewer students per teacher (13.3 vs 19.3).
- •Tangara School for Girls is the larger school with 771 students compared with 550.
- •Tangara School for Girls has grown faster over five years (24% vs -16%).
- •John Purchase Public School is a government school while Tangara School for Girls is an independent 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 John Purchase Public School better than Tangara School for Girls?
On the Success Index, John Purchase Public School ranks higher (77.7 vs 74.8 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 John Purchase Public School and Tangara School for Girls?
About 2.0 km in a straight line, between Cherrybrook and Cherrybrook in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
John Purchase Public School has 19.3 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Tangara School for Girls has 13.3.
How do John Purchase Public School and Tangara School for Girls rank in NSW?
John Purchase Public School is 90th of 1,619 and Tangara School for Girls is 64th of 314 among primary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.