Living School vs St Carthage's Primary School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 1.2 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Living School
Lismore · Independent combined · K-12
313 students · ICSEA 1037
St Carthage's Primary School
Lismore · Catholic primary · K-6
580 students · ICSEA 1064
| Measure | Living School Lismore NSW | St Carthage's Primary School Lismore NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 62 Top 50% | 64 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #131 of 314 | #507 of 1,619 |
| National rank (type) | #421 of 1,259 | #1530 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Independent | Catholic |
| Type | Combined | Primary |
| Year range | K-12 | K-6 |
| Students | 313 | 580 |
| Girls / boys | 150 / 163 | 302 / 278 |
| Foundation intake | 21 | 81 |
| Year 7 cohort | 22 | – |
| Year 12 cohort | 12 | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +219% | 0% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1037 | 1064 |
| ICSEA percentile | 63th | 73th |
| Top SEA quarter | 25% | 29% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 13% | 11% |
| Students per teacher | 9.7 | 17.8 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 32.2 | 32.5 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 21.0 | 13.3 |
| Language background other than English | 12% | 13% |
| Indigenous students | 15% | 7% |
| Suburb | Lismore 2480 | Lismore 2480 |
| Council area | Lismore | Lismore |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | living.school | www.stcarthlism.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Carthage's Primary School scores higher on the Success Index (64.2 vs 62.0).
- •St Carthage's Primary School has the higher ICSEA (1064 vs 1037), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Living School has fewer students per teacher (9.7 vs 17.8).
- •St Carthage's Primary School is the larger school with 580 students compared with 313.
- •Living School has grown faster over five years (219% vs 0%).
- •Living School is a independent 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 Living School better than St Carthage's Primary School?
On the Success Index, St Carthage's Primary School ranks higher (64.2 vs 62.0 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 Living School and St Carthage's Primary School?
About 1.2 km in a straight line, between Lismore and Lismore in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Living School has 9.7 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Carthage's Primary School has 17.8.
How do Living School and St Carthage's Primary School rank in NSW?
Living School is 131st of 314 and St Carthage's Primary School is 507th of 1,619 among combined schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.