Port Macquarie Public School vs St Joseph's Primary School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in New South Wales, 1.8 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Port Macquarie Public School
Port Macquarie · Government primary · K-6
451 students · ICSEA 932
St Joseph's Primary School
Port Macquarie · Catholic primary · K-6
397 students · ICSEA 1017
| Measure | Port Macquarie Public School Port Macquarie NSW | St Joseph's Primary School Port Macquarie NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 37 Lower 50% | 57 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #1150 of 1,619 | #698 of 1,619 |
| National rank (type) | #3609 of 4,908 | #2129 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | K-6 | K-6 |
| Students | 451 | 397 |
| Girls / boys | 202 / 249 | 187 / 210 |
| Foundation intake | 58 | 52 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +4% | +4% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 932 | 1017 |
| ICSEA percentile | 19th | 55th |
| Top SEA quarter | 7% | 17% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 50% | 23% |
| Students per teacher | 12.1 | 13.3 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 37.2 | 29.8 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 11.3 | 10.3 |
| Language background other than English | 11% | 16% |
| Indigenous students | 24% | 12% |
| Suburb | Port Macquarie 2444 | Port Macquarie 2444 |
| Council area | Port Macquarie-Hastings | Port Macquarie-Hastings |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | portmac-p.schools.nsw.gov.au | www.pmacjlism.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Joseph's Primary School scores higher on the Success Index (57.4 vs 37.4).
- •St Joseph's Primary School has the higher ICSEA (1017 vs 932), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Port Macquarie Public School has fewer students per teacher (12.1 vs 13.3).
- •Port Macquarie Public School is the larger school with 451 students compared with 397.
- •Port Macquarie 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 Port Macquarie Public School better than St Joseph's Primary School?
On the Success Index, St Joseph's Primary School ranks higher (57.4 vs 37.4 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 Port Macquarie Public School and St Joseph's Primary School?
About 1.8 km in a straight line, between Port Macquarie and Port Macquarie in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Port Macquarie Public School has 12.1 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Joseph's Primary School has 13.3.
How do Port Macquarie Public School and St Joseph's Primary School rank in NSW?
Port Macquarie Public School is 1150th of 1,619 and St Joseph's Primary School is 698th of 1,619 among primary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.