Sandy Beach Public School vs St Francis Xavier Primary School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in New South Wales, 4.5 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Sandy Beach Public School
Sandy Beach · Government primary · K-6
336 students · ICSEA 973
St Francis Xavier Primary School
Woolgoolga · Catholic primary · K-6
263 students · ICSEA 1071
| Measure | Sandy Beach Public School Sandy Beach NSW | St Francis Xavier Primary School Woolgoolga NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 37 Lower 50% | 68 Top 25% |
| State rank (type) | #1174 of 1,619 | #405 of 1,619 |
| National rank (type) | #3663 of 4,908 | #1243 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | K-6 | K-6 |
| Students | 336 | 263 |
| Girls / boys | 160 / 176 | 134 / 129 |
| Foundation intake | 38 | 37 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -6% | +4% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 973 | 1071 |
| ICSEA percentile | 35th | 76th |
| Top SEA quarter | 10% | 30% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 39% | 11% |
| Students per teacher | 14.9 | 14.6 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 22.5 | 18.0 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 5.0 | 8.3 |
| Language background other than English | 9% | 23% |
| Indigenous students | 16% | 4% |
| Suburb | Sandy Beach 2456 | Woolgoolga 2456 |
| Council area | Coffs Harbour | Coffs Harbour |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | sandybeach-p.schools.nsw.gov.au | www.woolplism.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Francis Xavier Primary School scores higher on the Success Index (67.6 vs 36.7).
- •St Francis Xavier Primary School has the higher ICSEA (1071 vs 973), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Sandy Beach Public School is the larger school with 336 students compared with 263.
- •St Francis Xavier Primary School has grown faster over five years (4% vs -6%).
- •Sandy Beach Public School is a government school while St Francis Xavier 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 Sandy Beach Public School better than St Francis Xavier Primary School?
On the Success Index, St Francis Xavier Primary School ranks higher (67.6 vs 36.7 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 Sandy Beach Public School and St Francis Xavier Primary School?
About 4.5 km in a straight line, between Sandy Beach and Woolgoolga in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Sandy Beach Public School has 14.9 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Francis Xavier Primary School has 14.6.
How do Sandy Beach Public School and St Francis Xavier Primary School rank in NSW?
Sandy Beach Public School is 1174th of 1,619 and St Francis Xavier Primary School is 405th of 1,619 among primary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.