Kempsey High School vs St Paul's College
A head-to-head comparison of two secondary schools in New South Wales, 942 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 Paul's College
West Kempsey · Catholic high school · 7-12
641 students · ICSEA 999
| Measure | Kempsey High School Kempsey NSW | St Paul's College West Kempsey NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 28 Lower 50% | 56 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #451 of 539 | #231 of 539 |
| National rank (type) | #1234 of 1,472 | #598 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Secondary | Secondary |
| Year range | 7-12 | 7-12 |
| Students | 584 | 641 |
| Girls / boys | 290 / 294 | 336 / 305 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | 99 | 145 |
| Year 12 cohort | 44 | 57 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +28% | +14% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 848 | 999 |
| ICSEA percentile | 5th | 46th |
| Top SEA quarter | 2% | 11% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 66% | 27% |
| Students per teacher | 9.5 | 10.2 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 60.7 | 62.8 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 18.7 | 28.6 |
| Language background other than English | 3% | 4% |
| Indigenous students | 46% | 12% |
| Suburb | Kempsey 2440 | West Kempsey 2440 |
| Council area | Kempsey | Kempsey |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | kempsey-h.schools.nsw.gov.au | www.kmpslism.catholic.edu.au/ |
The verdict
- •St Paul's College scores higher on the Success Index (56.3 vs 28.0).
- •St Paul's College has the higher ICSEA (999 vs 848), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Kempsey High School has fewer students per teacher (9.5 vs 10.2).
- •St Paul's College is the larger school with 641 students compared with 584.
- •Kempsey High School has grown faster over five years (28% vs 14%).
- •Kempsey High School is a government school while St Paul's College 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 Paul's College?
On the Success Index, St Paul's College ranks higher (56.3 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 Paul's College?
About 942 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 Paul's College has 10.2.
How do Kempsey High School and St Paul's College rank in NSW?
Kempsey High School is 451st of 539 and St Paul's College is 231st of 539 among secondary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.