Shell Cove Public School vs Shellharbour Public School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in New South Wales, 2.0 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Shell Cove Public School
Shell Cove · Government primary · K-6
463 students · ICSEA 1049
Shellharbour Public School
Shellharbour · Government primary · K-6
368 students · ICSEA 999
| Measure | Shell Cove Public School Shell Cove NSW | Shellharbour Public School Shellharbour NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 57 Top 50% | 34 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #722 of 1,619 | #1231 of 1,619 |
| National rank (type) | #2198 of 4,908 | #3819 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | K-6 | K-6 |
| Students | 463 | 368 |
| Girls / boys | 224 / 239 | 149 / 219 |
| Foundation intake | 61 | 48 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -11% | -21% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1049 | 999 |
| ICSEA percentile | 68th | 46th |
| Top SEA quarter | 25% | 13% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 16% | 32% |
| Students per teacher | 18.2 | 17.4 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 25.4 | 21.1 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 3.8 | 4.1 |
| Language background other than English | 20% | 7% |
| Indigenous students | 7% | 10% |
| Suburb | Shell Cove 2529 | Shellharbour 2529 |
| Council area | Shellharbour | Shellharbour |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | shellcove-p.schools.nsw.gov.au | shellharb-p.schools.nsw.gov.au |
The verdict
- •Shell Cove Public School scores higher on the Success Index (56.7 vs 34.4).
- •Shell Cove Public School has the higher ICSEA (1049 vs 999), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Shellharbour Public School has fewer students per teacher (17.4 vs 18.2).
- •Shell Cove Public School is the larger school with 463 students compared with 368.
- •Shell Cove Public School has grown faster over five years (-11% vs -21%).
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 Shell Cove Public School better than Shellharbour Public School?
On the Success Index, Shell Cove Public School ranks higher (56.7 vs 34.4 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 Shell Cove Public School and Shellharbour Public School?
About 2.0 km in a straight line, between Shell Cove and Shellharbour in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Shell Cove Public School has 18.2 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Shellharbour Public School has 17.4.
How do Shell Cove Public School and Shellharbour Public School rank in NSW?
Shell Cove Public School is 722nd of 1,619 and Shellharbour Public School is 1231st of 1,619 among primary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.