Rathmines Public School vs St Joseph's Primary School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in New South Wales, 1.9 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Rathmines Public School
Rathmines · Government primary · K-6
311 students · ICSEA 996
St Joseph's Primary School
Kilaben Bay · Catholic primary · K-6
194 students · ICSEA 1023
| Measure | Rathmines Public School Rathmines NSW | St Joseph's Primary School Kilaben Bay NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 39 Lower 50% | 53 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #1115 of 1,619 | #816 of 1,619 |
| National rank (type) | #3490 of 4,908 | #2495 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | K-6 | K-6 |
| Students | 311 | 194 |
| Girls / boys | 145 / 166 | 96 / 98 |
| Foundation intake | 38 | 28 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -13% | -6% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 996 | 1023 |
| ICSEA percentile | 45th | 57th |
| Top SEA quarter | 10% | 20% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 31% | 18% |
| Students per teacher | 15.2 | 13.5 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 20.5 | 14.4 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 5.8 | 4.6 |
| Language background other than English | 10% | 4% |
| Indigenous students | 13% | 15% |
| Suburb | Rathmines 2283 | Kilaben Bay 2283 |
| Council area | Lake Macquarie | Lake Macquarie |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | rathmines-p.schools.nsw.gov.au | kilabenbay.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Joseph's Primary School scores higher on the Success Index (52.9 vs 39.1).
- •St Joseph's Primary School has the higher ICSEA (1023 vs 996), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •St Joseph's Primary School has fewer students per teacher (13.5 vs 15.2).
- •Rathmines Public School is the larger school with 311 students compared with 194.
- •St Joseph's Primary School has grown faster over five years (-6% vs -13%).
- •Rathmines 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 Rathmines Public School better than St Joseph's Primary School?
On the Success Index, St Joseph's Primary School ranks higher (52.9 vs 39.1 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 Rathmines Public School and St Joseph's Primary School?
About 1.9 km in a straight line, between Rathmines and Kilaben Bay in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Rathmines Public School has 15.2 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Joseph's Primary School has 13.5.
How do Rathmines Public School and St Joseph's Primary School rank in NSW?
Rathmines Public School is 1115th of 1,619 and St Joseph's Primary School is 816th of 1,619 among primary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.