Shoal Bay Public School vs Tea Gardens Public School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in New South Wales, 7.0 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Shoal Bay Public School
Shoal Bay · Government primary · K-6
237 students · ICSEA 962
Tea Gardens Public School
Tea Gardens · Government primary · K-6
130 students · ICSEA 934
| Measure | Shoal Bay Public School Shoal Bay NSW | Tea Gardens Public School Tea Gardens NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 25 Lower 50% | 32 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #1471 of 1,619 | #1282 of 1,619 |
| National rank (type) | #4481 of 4,908 | #3974 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | K-6 | K-6 |
| Students | 237 | 130 |
| Girls / boys | 113 / 124 | 59 / 71 |
| Foundation intake | 28 | 16 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -39% | -20% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 962 | 934 |
| ICSEA percentile | 30th | 19th |
| Top SEA quarter | 7% | 7% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 43% | 50% |
| Students per teacher | 17.3 | 13.1 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 13.7 | 9.9 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 2.6 | 1.9 |
| Language background other than English | 13% | 18% |
| Indigenous students | 16% | 25% |
| Suburb | Shoal Bay 2315 | Tea Gardens 2324 |
| Council area | Port Stephens | Mid-Coast |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | shoalbay-p.schools.nsw.gov.au | teagardens-p.schools.nsw.gov.au |
The verdict
- •Tea Gardens Public School scores higher on the Success Index (32.2 vs 25.2).
- •Shoal Bay Public School has the higher ICSEA (962 vs 934), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Tea Gardens Public School has fewer students per teacher (13.1 vs 17.3).
- •Shoal Bay Public School is the larger school with 237 students compared with 130.
- •Tea Gardens Public School has grown faster over five years (-20% vs -39%).
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 Shoal Bay Public School better than Tea Gardens Public School?
On the Success Index, Tea Gardens Public School ranks higher (32.2 vs 25.2 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 Shoal Bay Public School and Tea Gardens Public School?
About 7.0 km in a straight line, between Shoal Bay and Tea Gardens in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Shoal Bay Public School has 17.3 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Tea Gardens Public School has 13.1.
How do Shoal Bay Public School and Tea Gardens Public School rank in NSW?
Shoal Bay Public School is 1471st of 1,619 and Tea Gardens Public School is 1282nd of 1,619 among primary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.