Penrith Public School vs St Joseph's Primary School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in New South Wales, 1.5 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Penrith Public School
Penrith · Government primary · K-6
524 students · ICSEA 986
St Joseph's Primary School
Kingswood · Catholic primary · K-6
310 students · ICSEA 1019
| Measure | Penrith Public School Penrith NSW | St Joseph's Primary School Kingswood NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 55 Top 50% | 64 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #764 of 1,619 | #498 of 1,619 |
| National rank (type) | #2333 of 4,908 | #1508 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | K-6 | K-6 |
| Students | 524 | 310 |
| Girls / boys | 262 / 262 | 135 / 175 |
| Foundation intake | 82 | 44 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +16% | +27% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 986 | 1019 |
| ICSEA percentile | 41th | 56th |
| Top SEA quarter | 14% | 19% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 38% | 27% |
| Students per teacher | 12.7 | 11.7 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 41.1 | 26.4 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 11.0 | 11.7 |
| Language background other than English | 49% | 46% |
| Indigenous students | 11% | 11% |
| Suburb | Penrith 2750 | Kingswood 2747 |
| Council area | Penrith | Penrith |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | penrith-p.schools.nsw.gov.au | www.stjosephskingswood.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Joseph's Primary School scores higher on the Success Index (64.4 vs 54.9).
- •St Joseph's Primary School has the higher ICSEA (1019 vs 986), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •St Joseph's Primary School has fewer students per teacher (11.7 vs 12.7).
- •Penrith Public School is the larger school with 524 students compared with 310.
- •St Joseph's Primary School has grown faster over five years (27% vs 16%).
- •Penrith Public 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 Public School better than St Joseph's Primary School?
On the Success Index, St Joseph's Primary School ranks higher (64.4 vs 54.9 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 Public School and St Joseph's Primary School?
About 1.5 km in a straight line, between Penrith and Kingswood in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Penrith Public School has 12.7 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Joseph's Primary School has 11.7.
How do Penrith Public School and St Joseph's Primary School rank in NSW?
Penrith Public School is 764th of 1,619 and St Joseph's Primary School is 498th of 1,619 among primary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.