Koonawarra Public School vs St John's Catholic Primary School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in New South Wales, 1.2 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Koonawarra Public School
Dapto · Government primary · P-6
192 students · ICSEA 838
St John's Catholic Primary School
Dapto · Catholic primary · K-6
623 students · ICSEA 1038
| Measure | Koonawarra Public School Dapto NSW | St John's Catholic Primary School Dapto NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 23 Lower 50% | 58 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #1515 of 1,619 | #676 of 1,619 |
| National rank (type) | #4599 of 4,908 | #2061 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | P-6 | K-6 |
| Students | 192 | 623 |
| Girls / boys | 86 / 106 | 317 / 306 |
| Foundation intake | 28 | 94 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -19% | +7% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 838 | 1038 |
| ICSEA percentile | 4th | 63th |
| Top SEA quarter | 1% | 17% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 78% | 16% |
| Students per teacher | 9.3 | 15.7 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 20.6 | 39.6 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 7.5 | 16.6 |
| Language background other than English | 16% | 4% |
| Indigenous students | 35% | 6% |
| Suburb | Dapto 2530 | Dapto 2530 |
| Council area | Wollongong | Wollongong |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | koonawarra-p.schools.nsw.gov.au | www.sjddow.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St John's Catholic Primary School scores higher on the Success Index (58.4 vs 23.4).
- •St John's Catholic Primary School has the higher ICSEA (1038 vs 838), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Koonawarra Public School has fewer students per teacher (9.3 vs 15.7).
- •St John's Catholic Primary School is the larger school with 623 students compared with 192.
- •St John's Catholic Primary School has grown faster over five years (7% vs -19%).
- •Koonawarra Public School is a government school while St John'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 Koonawarra Public School better than St John's Catholic Primary School?
On the Success Index, St John's Catholic Primary School ranks higher (58.4 vs 23.4 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 Koonawarra Public School and St John's Catholic Primary School?
About 1.2 km in a straight line, between Dapto and Dapto in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Koonawarra Public School has 9.3 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St John's Catholic Primary School has 15.7.
How do Koonawarra Public School and St John's Catholic Primary School rank in NSW?
Koonawarra Public School is 1515th of 1,619 and St John's Catholic Primary School is 676th of 1,619 among primary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.