Rous Public School vs St Joseph's Primary School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in New South Wales, 4.6 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Rous Public School
Alstonville · Government primary · K-6
85 students · ICSEA 1031
St Joseph's Primary School
Alstonville · Catholic primary · K-6
187 students · ICSEA 1045
| Measure | Rous Public School Alstonville NSW | St Joseph's Primary School Alstonville NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 57 Top 50% | 61 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #726 of 1,619 | #615 of 1,619 |
| National rank (type) | #2208 of 4,908 | #1874 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | K-6 | K-6 |
| Students | 85 | 187 |
| Girls / boys | 37 / 48 | 97 / 90 |
| Foundation intake | 10 | 25 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -7% | +3% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1031 | 1045 |
| ICSEA percentile | 60th | 66th |
| Top SEA quarter | 20% | 25% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 24% | 18% |
| Students per teacher | 16.7 | 15.6 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 5.1 | 12.0 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 1.5 | 8.4 |
| Language background other than English | 13% | 5% |
| Indigenous students | 4% | 10% |
| Suburb | Alstonville 2477 | Alstonville 2477 |
| Council area | Ballina | Ballina |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | rous-p.schools.nsw.gov.au | www.alstplism.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Joseph's Primary School scores higher on the Success Index (60.7 vs 56.6).
- •St Joseph's Primary School has the higher ICSEA (1045 vs 1031), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •St Joseph's Primary School has fewer students per teacher (15.6 vs 16.7).
- •St Joseph's Primary School is the larger school with 187 students compared with 85.
- •St Joseph's Primary School has grown faster over five years (3% vs -7%).
- •Rous 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 Rous Public School better than St Joseph's Primary School?
On the Success Index, St Joseph's Primary School ranks higher (60.7 vs 56.6 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 Rous Public School and St Joseph's Primary School?
About 4.6 km in a straight line, between Alstonville and Alstonville in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Rous Public School has 16.7 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Joseph's Primary School has 15.6.
How do Rous Public School and St Joseph's Primary School rank in NSW?
Rous Public School is 726th of 1,619 and St Joseph's Primary School is 615th of 1,619 among primary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.