Snowy Mountains Christian School vs St Patrick's Parish School
A head-to-head comparison of two combined schools in New South Wales, 2.0 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Snowy Mountains Christian School
Cooma North · Independent combined · K-10
50 students · ICSEA 1005
St Patrick's Parish School
Cooma · Catholic combined · K-10
457 students · ICSEA 1037
| Measure | Snowy Mountains Christian School Cooma North NSW | St Patrick's Parish School Cooma NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 47 Lower 50% | 52 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | – | #195 of 314 |
| National rank (type) | – | #618 of 1,259 |
| Sector | Independent | Catholic |
| Type | Combined | Combined |
| Year range | K-10 | K-10 |
| Students | 50 | 457 |
| Girls / boys | 23 / 27 | 228 / 229 |
| Foundation intake | 5 | 44 |
| Year 7 cohort | 6 | 41 |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -35% | +66% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1005 | 1037 |
| ICSEA percentile | 49th | 63th |
| Top SEA quarter | 20% | 18% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 43% | 19% |
| Students per teacher | 7.8 | 12.9 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 6.4 | 35.3 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 3.7 | 11.5 |
| Language background other than English | 14% | 30% |
| Indigenous students | 0% | 3% |
| Suburb | Cooma North 2630 | Cooma 2630 |
| Council area | Snowy Monaro | Snowy Monaro |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | www.smcs.nsw.edu.au | www.stpatscooma.nsw.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Patrick's Parish School scores higher on the Success Index (51.7 vs 47.0).
- •St Patrick's Parish School has the higher ICSEA (1037 vs 1005), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Snowy Mountains Christian School has fewer students per teacher (7.8 vs 12.9).
- •St Patrick's Parish School is the larger school with 457 students compared with 50.
- •St Patrick's Parish School has grown faster over five years (66% vs -35%).
- •Snowy Mountains Christian School is a independent school while St Patrick's Parish 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 Snowy Mountains Christian School better than St Patrick's Parish School?
On the Success Index, St Patrick's Parish School ranks higher (51.7 vs 47.0 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 Snowy Mountains Christian School and St Patrick's Parish School?
About 2.0 km in a straight line, between Cooma North and Cooma in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Snowy Mountains Christian School has 7.8 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Patrick's Parish School has 12.9.
How do Snowy Mountains Christian School and St Patrick's Parish School rank in NSW?
Snowy Mountains Christian School is unranked and St Patrick's Parish School is 195th of 314 among combined schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.