Muswellbrook High School vs St Joseph's Catholic College
A head-to-head comparison of two secondary schools in New South Wales, 11 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 Joseph's Catholic College
Aberdeen · Catholic high school · 7-12
685 students · ICSEA 968
| Measure | Muswellbrook High School Muswellbrook NSW | St Joseph's Catholic College Aberdeen NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 15 Lower 50% | 43 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #539 of 539 | #321 of 539 |
| National rank (type) | #1460 of 1,472 | #881 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Secondary | Secondary |
| Year range | 7-12 | 7-12 |
| Students | 648 | 685 |
| Girls / boys | 325 / 323 | 318 / 367 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | 106 | 147 |
| Year 12 cohort | 79 | 76 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -27% | +9% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 869 | 968 |
| ICSEA percentile | 6th | 33th |
| Top SEA quarter | 2% | 6% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 69% | 40% |
| Students per teacher | 10.4 | 9.9 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 62.1 | 69.1 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 18.7 | 17.6 |
| Language background other than English | 7% | 7% |
| Indigenous students | 31% | 12% |
| Suburb | Muswellbrook 2333 | Aberdeen 2336 |
| Council area | Muswellbrook | Upper Hunter |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | muswellbro-h.schools.nsw.gov.au | www.aberdeen.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Joseph's Catholic College scores higher on the Success Index (43.2 vs 15.1).
- •St Joseph's Catholic College has the higher ICSEA (968 vs 869), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •St Joseph's Catholic College has fewer students per teacher (9.9 vs 10.4).
- •St Joseph's Catholic College is the larger school with 685 students compared with 648.
- •St Joseph's Catholic College has grown faster over five years (9% vs -27%).
- •Muswellbrook High School is a government school while St Joseph'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 Muswellbrook High School better than St Joseph's Catholic College?
On the Success Index, St Joseph's Catholic College ranks higher (43.2 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 Joseph's Catholic College?
About 11 km in a straight line, between Muswellbrook and Aberdeen 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 Joseph's Catholic College has 9.9.
How do Muswellbrook High School and St Joseph's Catholic College rank in NSW?
Muswellbrook High School is 539th of 539 and St Joseph's Catholic College is 321st of 539 among secondary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.