Manly West Public School vs St Mary's Catholic Primary School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in New South Wales, 1.7 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Manly West Public School
Balgowlah · Government primary · K-6
761 students · ICSEA 1147
St Mary's Catholic Primary School
Manly · Catholic primary · K-6
330 students · ICSEA 1159
| Measure | Manly West Public School Balgowlah NSW | St Mary's Catholic Primary School Manly NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 73 Top 25% | 80 Top 5% |
| State rank (type) | #202 of 1,619 | #43 of 1,619 |
| National rank (type) | #716 of 4,908 | #186 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | K-6 | K-6 |
| Students | 761 | 330 |
| Girls / boys | 394 / 367 | 179 / 151 |
| Foundation intake | 96 | 51 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -12% | +17% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1147 | 1159 |
| ICSEA percentile | 95th | 97th |
| Top SEA quarter | 60% | 65% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 2% | 2% |
| Students per teacher | 19.0 | 16.9 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 40.1 | 19.5 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 4.7 | 4.0 |
| Language background other than English | 25% | 26% |
| Indigenous students | 1% | 0% |
| Suburb | Balgowlah 2093 | Manly 2095 |
| Council area | Northern Beaches | Northern Beaches |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | manlywest-p.schools.nsw.gov.au | www.smmdbb.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Mary's Catholic Primary School scores higher on the Success Index (80.1 vs 73.2).
- •St Mary's Catholic Primary School has the higher ICSEA (1159 vs 1147), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •St Mary's Catholic Primary School has fewer students per teacher (16.9 vs 19.0).
- •Manly West Public School is the larger school with 761 students compared with 330.
- •St Mary's Catholic Primary School has grown faster over five years (17% vs -12%).
- •Manly West Public School is a government school while St Mary'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 Manly West Public School better than St Mary's Catholic Primary School?
On the Success Index, St Mary's Catholic Primary School ranks higher (80.1 vs 73.2 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 Manly West Public School and St Mary's Catholic Primary School?
About 1.7 km in a straight line, between Balgowlah and Manly in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Manly West Public School has 19.0 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Mary's Catholic Primary School has 16.9.
How do Manly West Public School and St Mary's Catholic Primary School rank in NSW?
Manly West Public School is 202nd of 1,619 and St Mary's Catholic Primary School is 43rd of 1,619 among primary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.