Palmers Island Public School vs St James' Primary School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in New South Wales, 4.8 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Palmers Island Public School
Palmers Island · Government primary · K-6
56 students · ICSEA 944
St James' Primary School
Yamba · Catholic primary · K-6
182 students · ICSEA 1074
| Measure | Palmers Island Public School Palmers Island NSW | St James' Primary School Yamba NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 34 Lower 50% | 72 Top 25% |
| State rank (type) | – | #241 of 1,619 |
| National rank (type) | – | #826 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | K-6 | K-6 |
| Students | 56 | 182 |
| Girls / boys | 23 / 33 | 88 / 94 |
| Foundation intake | 5 | 26 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +47% | +23% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 944 | 1074 |
| ICSEA percentile | 23th | 77th |
| Top SEA quarter | 4% | 35% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 51% | 11% |
| Students per teacher | 8.8 | 14.7 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 6.4 | 12.4 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 3.5 | 4.8 |
| Language background other than English | 13% | 5% |
| Indigenous students | 14% | 5% |
| Suburb | Palmers Island 2463 | Yamba 2464 |
| Council area | Clarence Valley | Clarence Valley |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | palmersisl-p.schools.nsw.gov.au | moodle.yamplism.catholic.edu.au/ |
The verdict
- •St James' Primary School scores higher on the Success Index (72.0 vs 33.8).
- •St James' Primary School has the higher ICSEA (1074 vs 944), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Palmers Island Public School has fewer students per teacher (8.8 vs 14.7).
- •St James' Primary School is the larger school with 182 students compared with 56.
- •Palmers Island Public School has grown faster over five years (47% vs 23%).
- •Palmers Island Public 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 Palmers Island Public School better than St James' Primary School?
On the Success Index, St James' Primary School ranks higher (72.0 vs 33.8 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 Palmers Island Public School and St James' Primary School?
About 4.8 km in a straight line, between Palmers Island and Yamba in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Palmers Island Public School has 8.8 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St James' Primary School has 14.7.
How do Palmers Island Public School and St James' Primary School rank in NSW?
Palmers Island Public School is unranked and St James' Primary School is 241st of 1,619 among primary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.