North Coast Pathway vs St Joseph's Primary School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 2.5 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
North Coast Pathway
Alstonville · Independent special · 9-10
26 students · ICSEA 998
St Joseph's Primary School
Alstonville · Catholic primary · K-6
187 students · ICSEA 1045
| Measure | North Coast Pathway Alstonville NSW | St Joseph's Primary School Alstonville NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | – Not rated | 61 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | – | #615 of 1,619 |
| National rank (type) | – | #1874 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Independent | Catholic |
| Type | Special | Primary |
| Year range | 9-10 | K-6 |
| Students | 26 | 187 |
| Girls / boys | 17 / 9 | 97 / 90 |
| Foundation intake | – | 25 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | – | +3% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 998 | 1045 |
| ICSEA percentile | 46th | 66th |
| Top SEA quarter | 14% | 25% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 43% | 18% |
| Students per teacher | 6.8 | 15.6 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 3.6 | 12.0 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 0.6 | 8.4 |
| Language background other than English | 0% | 5% |
| Indigenous students | 15% | 10% |
| Suburb | Alstonville 2477 | Alstonville 2477 |
| Council area | Ballina | Ballina |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | ncpathway.edu.au/ | www.alstplism.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Joseph's Primary School has the higher ICSEA (1045 vs 998), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •North Coast Pathway has fewer students per teacher (6.8 vs 15.6).
- •St Joseph's Primary School is the larger school with 187 students compared with 26.
- •North Coast Pathway is a independent school while St Joseph's 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 North Coast Pathway better than St Joseph's Primary 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 North Coast Pathway and St Joseph's Primary School?
About 2.5 km in a straight line, between Alstonville and Alstonville in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
North Coast Pathway has 6.8 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Joseph's Primary School has 15.6.
How do North Coast Pathway and St Joseph's Primary School rank in NSW?
North Coast Pathway is unranked and St Joseph's Primary School is 615th of 1,619 among special schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.