Manly West Public School vs St Paul's Catholic College
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 2.6 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 Paul's Catholic College
Manly · Catholic high school · 7-12
468 students · ICSEA 1091
| Measure | Manly West Public School Balgowlah NSW | St Paul's Catholic College Manly NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 73 Top 25% | 82 Top 5% |
| State rank (type) | #202 of 1,619 | #14 of 539 |
| National rank (type) | #716 of 4,908 | #45 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Secondary |
| Year range | K-6 | 7-12 |
| Students | 761 | 468 |
| Girls / boys | 394 / 367 | 85 / 383 |
| Foundation intake | 96 | – |
| Year 7 cohort | – | 143 |
| Year 12 cohort | – | 45 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -12% | +17% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1147 | 1091 |
| ICSEA percentile | 95th | 82th |
| Top SEA quarter | 60% | 34% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 2% | 6% |
| Students per teacher | 19.0 | 11.1 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 40.1 | 42.2 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 4.7 | 11.2 |
| Language background other than English | 25% | 18% |
| Indigenous students | 1% | 1% |
| Suburb | Balgowlah 2093 | Manly 2095 |
| Council area | Northern Beaches | Northern Beaches |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | manlywest-p.schools.nsw.gov.au | www.stpaulsdbb.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Paul's Catholic College scores higher on the Success Index (81.9 vs 73.2).
- •Manly West Public School has the higher ICSEA (1147 vs 1091), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •St Paul's Catholic College has fewer students per teacher (11.1 vs 19.0).
- •Manly West Public School is the larger school with 761 students compared with 468.
- •St Paul's Catholic College has grown faster over five years (17% vs -12%).
- •Manly West Public School is a government school while St Paul's Catholic College 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 Paul's Catholic College?
On the Success Index, St Paul's Catholic College ranks higher (81.9 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 Paul's Catholic College?
About 2.6 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 Paul's Catholic College has 11.1.
How do Manly West Public School and St Paul's Catholic College rank in NSW?
Manly West Public School is 202nd of 1,619 and St Paul's Catholic College is 14th of 539 among primary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.