Muswellbrook High School vs St James' Primary School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 1.8 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Muswellbrook High School
Muswellbrook · Government high school · 7-12
648 students · ICSEA 869
St James' Primary School
Muswellbrook · Catholic primary · K-6
345 students · ICSEA 952
| Measure | Muswellbrook High School Muswellbrook NSW | St James' Primary School Muswellbrook NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 15 Lower 50% | 30 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #539 of 539 | #1345 of 1,619 |
| National rank (type) | #1460 of 1,472 | #4147 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Secondary | Primary |
| Year range | 7-12 | K-6 |
| Students | 648 | 345 |
| Girls / boys | 325 / 323 | 155 / 190 |
| Foundation intake | – | 52 |
| Year 7 cohort | 106 | – |
| Year 12 cohort | 79 | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -27% | +28% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 869 | 952 |
| ICSEA percentile | 6th | 26th |
| Top SEA quarter | 2% | 5% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 69% | 44% |
| Students per teacher | 10.4 | 16.2 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 62.1 | 21.3 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 18.7 | 6.9 |
| Language background other than English | 7% | 7% |
| Indigenous students | 31% | 17% |
| Suburb | Muswellbrook 2333 | Muswellbrook 2333 |
| Council area | Muswellbrook | Muswellbrook |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | muswellbro-h.schools.nsw.gov.au | muswellbrook.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St James' Primary School scores higher on the Success Index (29.8 vs 15.1).
- •St James' Primary School has the higher ICSEA (952 vs 869), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Muswellbrook High School has fewer students per teacher (10.4 vs 16.2).
- •Muswellbrook High School is the larger school with 648 students compared with 345.
- •St James' Primary School has grown faster over five years (28% vs -27%).
- •Muswellbrook High School is a government school while St James' 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 Muswellbrook High School better than St James' Primary School?
On the Success Index, St James' Primary School ranks higher (29.8 vs 15.1 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 Muswellbrook High School and St James' Primary School?
About 1.8 km in a straight line, between Muswellbrook and Muswellbrook in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Muswellbrook High School has 10.4 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St James' Primary School has 16.2.
How do Muswellbrook High School and St James' Primary School rank in NSW?
Muswellbrook High School is 539th of 539 and St James' Primary School is 1345th of 1,619 among secondary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.