Pacific Valley Christian School vs St Joseph's Primary School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 1.5 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Pacific Valley Christian School
Townsend · Independent combined · K-12
277 students · ICSEA 985
St Joseph's Primary School
Maclean · Catholic primary · K-6
135 students · ICSEA 1019
| Measure | Pacific Valley Christian School Townsend NSW | St Joseph's Primary School Maclean NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 34 Lower 50% | 60 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #262 of 314 | #625 of 1,619 |
| National rank (type) | #976 of 1,259 | #1902 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Independent | Catholic |
| Type | Combined | Primary |
| Year range | K-12 | K-6 |
| Students | 277 | 135 |
| Girls / boys | 137 / 140 | 63 / 72 |
| Foundation intake | 19 | 25 |
| Year 7 cohort | 33 | – |
| Year 12 cohort | 16 | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -16% | +42% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 985 | 1019 |
| ICSEA percentile | 40th | 55th |
| Top SEA quarter | 10% | 20% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 35% | 20% |
| Students per teacher | 11.6 | 12.3 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 23.9 | 11.0 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 13.3 | 4.7 |
| Language background other than English | 11% | 8% |
| Indigenous students | 10% | 13% |
| Suburb | Townsend 2463 | Maclean 2463 |
| Council area | Clarence Valley | Clarence Valley |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | www.pacificvalley.nsw.edu.au/ | www.maclplism.catholic.edu.au/ |
The verdict
- •St Joseph's Primary School scores higher on the Success Index (60.3 vs 34.2).
- •St Joseph's Primary School has the higher ICSEA (1019 vs 985), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Pacific Valley Christian School has fewer students per teacher (11.6 vs 12.3).
- •Pacific Valley Christian School is the larger school with 277 students compared with 135.
- •St Joseph's Primary School has grown faster over five years (42% vs -16%).
- •Pacific Valley Christian School 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 Pacific Valley Christian School better than St Joseph's Primary School?
On the Success Index, St Joseph's Primary School ranks higher (60.3 vs 34.2 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 Pacific Valley Christian School and St Joseph's Primary School?
About 1.5 km in a straight line, between Townsend and Maclean in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Pacific Valley Christian School has 11.6 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Joseph's Primary School has 12.3.
How do Pacific Valley Christian School and St Joseph's Primary School rank in NSW?
Pacific Valley Christian School is 262nd of 314 and St Joseph's Primary School is 625th of 1,619 among combined schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.