Penrith High School vs St Joseph's Primary School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 1.4 km 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 Joseph's Primary School
Kingswood · Catholic primary · K-6
310 students · ICSEA 1019
| Measure | Penrith High School Penrith NSW | St Joseph's Primary School Kingswood NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 77 Top 10% | 64 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #39 of 539 | #498 of 1,619 |
| National rank (type) | #108 of 1,472 | #1508 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Secondary | Primary |
| Year range | 7-12 | K-6 |
| Students | 930 | 310 |
| Girls / boys | 400 / 530 | 135 / 175 |
| Foundation intake | – | 44 |
| Year 7 cohort | 150 | – |
| Year 12 cohort | 158 | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +2% | +27% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1186 | 1019 |
| ICSEA percentile | 99th | 56th |
| Top SEA quarter | 71% | 19% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 1% | 27% |
| Students per teacher | 14.8 | 11.7 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 62.8 | 26.4 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 12.4 | 11.7 |
| Language background other than English | 94% | 46% |
| Indigenous students | 0% | 11% |
| Suburb | Penrith 2750 | Kingswood 2747 |
| Council area | Penrith | Penrith |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | penrith-h.schools.nsw.gov.au | www.stjosephskingswood.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Penrith High School scores higher on the Success Index (77.2 vs 64.4).
- •Penrith High School has the higher ICSEA (1186 vs 1019), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •St Joseph's Primary School has fewer students per teacher (11.7 vs 14.8).
- •Penrith High School is the larger school with 930 students compared with 310.
- •St Joseph's Primary School has grown faster over five years (27% vs 2%).
- •Penrith High School is a government 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 Penrith High School better than St Joseph's Primary School?
On the Success Index, Penrith High School ranks higher (77.2 vs 64.4 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 Joseph's Primary School?
About 1.4 km 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 Joseph's Primary School has 11.7.
How do Penrith High School and St Joseph's Primary School rank in NSW?
Penrith High School is 39th of 539 and St Joseph's Primary School is 498th of 1,619 among secondary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.