Penrith High School vs St Dominic's College
A head-to-head comparison of two secondary schools in New South Wales, 971 m apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Penrith High School
Penrith · Government high school · 7-12
930 students · ICSEA 1186
St Dominic's College
Kingswood · Independent high school · 7-12
1,010 students · ICSEA 1008
| Measure | Penrith High School Penrith NSW | St Dominic's College Kingswood NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 77 Top 10% | 51 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #39 of 539 | #275 of 539 |
| National rank (type) | #108 of 1,472 | #725 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Government | Independent |
| Type | Secondary | Secondary |
| Year range | 7-12 | 7-12 |
| Students | 930 | 1,010 |
| Girls / boys | 400 / 530 | 0 / 1,010 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | 150 | 226 |
| Year 12 cohort | 158 | 102 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +2% | +4% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1186 | 1008 |
| ICSEA percentile | 99th | 50th |
| Top SEA quarter | 71% | 8% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 1% | 25% |
| Students per teacher | 14.8 | 11.9 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 62.8 | 84.6 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 12.4 | 32.9 |
| Language background other than English | 94% | 16% |
| Indigenous students | 0% | 7% |
| Suburb | Penrith 2750 | Kingswood 2747 |
| Council area | Penrith | Penrith |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | penrith-h.schools.nsw.gov.au | www.stdominics.nsw.edu.au/ |
The verdict
- •Penrith High School scores higher on the Success Index (77.2 vs 50.8).
- •Penrith High School has the higher ICSEA (1186 vs 1008), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •St Dominic's College has fewer students per teacher (11.9 vs 14.8).
- •St Dominic's College is the larger school with 1,010 students compared with 930.
- •Penrith High School is a government school while St Dominic's College is an independent 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 Penrith High School better than St Dominic's College?
On the Success Index, Penrith High School ranks higher (77.2 vs 50.8 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 Penrith High School and St Dominic's College?
About 971 m in a straight line, between Penrith and Kingswood in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Penrith High School has 14.8 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Dominic's College has 11.9.
How do Penrith High School and St Dominic's College rank in NSW?
Penrith High School is 39th of 539 and St Dominic's College is 275th of 539 among secondary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.