Lismore Public School vs St Carthage's Primary School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in New South Wales, 1.3 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Lismore Public School
Lismore · Government primary · K-6
179 students · ICSEA 871
St Carthage's Primary School
Lismore · Catholic primary · K-6
580 students · ICSEA 1064
| Measure | Lismore Public School Lismore NSW | St Carthage's Primary School Lismore NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 21 Lower 50% | 64 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #1569 of 1,619 | #507 of 1,619 |
| National rank (type) | #4732 of 4,908 | #1530 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | K-6 | K-6 |
| Students | 179 | 580 |
| Girls / boys | 70 / 109 | 302 / 278 |
| Foundation intake | 26 | 81 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -28% | 0% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 871 | 1064 |
| ICSEA percentile | 7th | 73th |
| Top SEA quarter | 2% | 29% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 70% | 11% |
| Students per teacher | 8.8 | 17.8 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 20.3 | 32.5 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 6.9 | 13.3 |
| Language background other than English | 5% | 13% |
| Indigenous students | 34% | 7% |
| Suburb | Lismore 2480 | Lismore 2480 |
| Council area | Lismore | Lismore |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | lismore-p.schools.nsw.gov.au | www.stcarthlism.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Carthage's Primary School scores higher on the Success Index (64.2 vs 20.9).
- •St Carthage's Primary School has the higher ICSEA (1064 vs 871), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Lismore Public School has fewer students per teacher (8.8 vs 17.8).
- •St Carthage's Primary School is the larger school with 580 students compared with 179.
- •St Carthage's Primary School has grown faster over five years (0% vs -28%).
- •Lismore Public School is a government school while St Carthage'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 Lismore Public School better than St Carthage's Primary School?
On the Success Index, St Carthage's Primary School ranks higher (64.2 vs 20.9 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 Lismore Public School and St Carthage's Primary School?
About 1.3 km in a straight line, between Lismore and Lismore in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Lismore Public School has 8.8 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Carthage's Primary School has 17.8.
How do Lismore Public School and St Carthage's Primary School rank in NSW?
Lismore Public School is 1569th of 1,619 and St Carthage's Primary School is 507th of 1,619 among primary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.