Macquarie University Special Education Centre vs West Pymble Public School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 1.3 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Macquarie University Special Education Centre
Macquarie University · Independent special · U
47 students · ICSEA 1074
West Pymble Public School
West Pymble · Government primary · K-6
250 students · ICSEA 1173
| Measure | Macquarie University Special Education Centre Macquarie University NSW | West Pymble Public School West Pymble NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | – Not rated | 78 Top 10% |
| State rank (type) | – | #83 of 1,619 |
| National rank (type) | – | #309 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Independent | Government |
| Type | Special | Primary |
| Year range | U | K-6 |
| Students | 47 | 250 |
| Girls / boys | 12 / 35 | 123 / 127 |
| Foundation intake | – | 39 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +9% | -26% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1074 | 1173 |
| ICSEA percentile | 77th | 98th |
| Top SEA quarter | 31% | 67% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 12% | 1% |
| Students per teacher | 4.7 | 17.7 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 10.0 | 14.1 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 12.6 | 2.6 |
| Language background other than English | 57% | 29% |
| Indigenous students | 0% | 1% |
| Suburb | Macquarie University 2109 | West Pymble 2073 |
| Council area | Ryde | Ku-ring-gai |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.mq.edu.au/research/research-centres-groups-and-facilities/healthy-people/centres/musec-school | westpymble-p.schools.nsw.gov.au |
The verdict
- •West Pymble Public School has the higher ICSEA (1173 vs 1074), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Macquarie University Special Education Centre has fewer students per teacher (4.7 vs 17.7).
- •West Pymble Public School is the larger school with 250 students compared with 47.
- •Macquarie University Special Education Centre has grown faster over five years (9% vs -26%).
- •Macquarie University Special Education Centre is a independent school while West Pymble Public School is a government 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 Macquarie University Special Education Centre better than West Pymble Public School?
The two schools are very close on the Success Index. Differences in sector, size, year range and distance from home will matter more than the score.
How far apart are Macquarie University Special Education Centre and West Pymble Public School?
About 1.3 km in a straight line, between Macquarie University and West Pymble in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Macquarie University Special Education Centre has 4.7 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and West Pymble Public School has 17.7.
How do Macquarie University Special Education Centre and West Pymble Public School rank in NSW?
Macquarie University Special Education Centre is unranked and West Pymble Public School is 83rd of 1,619 among special schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.