Kempsey High School vs St Joseph's Primary School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 914 m apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Kempsey High School
Kempsey · Government high school · 7-12
584 students · ICSEA 848
St Joseph's Primary School
West Kempsey · Catholic primary · K-6
332 students · ICSEA 991
| Measure | Kempsey High School Kempsey NSW | St Joseph's Primary School West Kempsey NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 28 Lower 50% | 49 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #451 of 539 | #905 of 1,619 |
| National rank (type) | #1234 of 1,472 | #2788 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Secondary | Primary |
| Year range | 7-12 | K-6 |
| Students | 584 | 332 |
| Girls / boys | 290 / 294 | 183 / 149 |
| Foundation intake | – | 46 |
| Year 7 cohort | 99 | – |
| Year 12 cohort | 44 | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +28% | +27% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 848 | 991 |
| ICSEA percentile | 5th | 42th |
| Top SEA quarter | 2% | 11% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 66% | 27% |
| Students per teacher | 9.5 | 15.1 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 60.7 | 22.0 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 18.7 | 10.7 |
| Language background other than English | 3% | 12% |
| Indigenous students | 46% | 16% |
| Suburb | Kempsey 2440 | West Kempsey 2440 |
| Council area | Kempsey | Kempsey |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | kempsey-h.schools.nsw.gov.au | www.kmpplism.catholic.edu.au/ |
The verdict
- •St Joseph's Primary School scores higher on the Success Index (48.7 vs 28.0).
- •St Joseph's Primary School has the higher ICSEA (991 vs 848), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Kempsey High School has fewer students per teacher (9.5 vs 15.1).
- •Kempsey High School is the larger school with 584 students compared with 332.
- •Kempsey High 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 Kempsey High School better than St Joseph's Primary School?
On the Success Index, St Joseph's Primary School ranks higher (48.7 vs 28.0 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 Kempsey High School and St Joseph's Primary School?
About 914 m in a straight line, between Kempsey and West Kempsey in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Kempsey High School has 9.5 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Joseph's Primary School has 15.1.
How do Kempsey High School and St Joseph's Primary School rank in NSW?
Kempsey High School is 451st of 539 and St Joseph's Primary School is 905th of 1,619 among secondary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.