Scone High School vs St Joseph's Catholic College
A head-to-head comparison of two secondary schools in New South Wales, 12 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Scone High School
Scone · Government high school · 7-12
316 students · ICSEA 894
St Joseph's Catholic College
Aberdeen · Catholic high school · 7-12
685 students · ICSEA 968
| Measure | Scone High School Scone NSW | St Joseph's Catholic College Aberdeen NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 21 Lower 50% | 43 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #513 of 539 | #321 of 539 |
| National rank (type) | #1398 of 1,472 | #881 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Secondary | Secondary |
| Year range | 7-12 | 7-12 |
| Students | 316 | 685 |
| Girls / boys | 161 / 155 | 318 / 367 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | 70 | 147 |
| Year 12 cohort | 40 | 76 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -8% | +9% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 894 | 968 |
| ICSEA percentile | 10th | 33th |
| Top SEA quarter | 2% | 6% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 62% | 40% |
| Students per teacher | 9.0 | 9.9 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 35.1 | 69.1 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 10.6 | 17.6 |
| Language background other than English | 5% | 7% |
| Indigenous students | 28% | 12% |
| Suburb | Scone 2337 | Aberdeen 2336 |
| Council area | Upper Hunter | Upper Hunter |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | scone-h.schools.nsw.gov.au | www.aberdeen.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Joseph's Catholic College scores higher on the Success Index (43.2 vs 21.1).
- •St Joseph's Catholic College has the higher ICSEA (968 vs 894), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Scone High School has fewer students per teacher (9.0 vs 9.9).
- •St Joseph's Catholic College is the larger school with 685 students compared with 316.
- •St Joseph's Catholic College has grown faster over five years (9% vs -8%).
- •Scone High School is a government school while St Joseph's Catholic College 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 Scone High School better than St Joseph's Catholic College?
On the Success Index, St Joseph's Catholic College ranks higher (43.2 vs 21.1 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 Scone High School and St Joseph's Catholic College?
About 12 km in a straight line, between Scone and Aberdeen in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Scone High School has 9.0 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Joseph's Catholic College has 9.9.
How do Scone High School and St Joseph's Catholic College rank in NSW?
Scone High School is 513th of 539 and St Joseph's Catholic College is 321st of 539 among secondary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.