St Francis Xavier's College vs St Joseph's Primary School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 1.2 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
St Francis Xavier's College
Hamilton · Catholic high school · 7-12
959 students · ICSEA 1096
St Joseph's Primary School
Merewether · Catholic primary · K-6
387 students · ICSEA 1141
| Measure | St Francis Xavier's College Hamilton NSW | St Joseph's Primary School Merewether NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 85 Top 5% | 69 Top 25% |
| State rank (type) | #9 of 539 | #361 of 1,619 |
| National rank (type) | #22 of 1,472 | #1155 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Catholic | Catholic |
| Type | Secondary | Primary |
| Year range | 7-12 | K-6 |
| Students | 959 | 387 |
| Girls / boys | 501 / 458 | 189 / 198 |
| Foundation intake | – | 48 |
| Year 7 cohort | 144 | – |
| Year 12 cohort | 344 | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +2% | -1% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1096 | 1141 |
| ICSEA percentile | 83th | 94th |
| Top SEA quarter | 38% | 57% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 8% | 2% |
| Students per teacher | 10.5 | 18.5 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 91.6 | 20.9 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 16.1 | 5.9 |
| Language background other than English | 15% | 15% |
| Indigenous students | 3% | 2% |
| Suburb | Hamilton 2303 | Merewether 2291 |
| Council area | Newcastle | Newcastle |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | hamilton.catholic.edu.au | merewether.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Francis Xavier's College scores higher on the Success Index (84.6 vs 68.5).
- •St Joseph's Primary School has the higher ICSEA (1141 vs 1096), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •St Francis Xavier's College has fewer students per teacher (10.5 vs 18.5).
- •St Francis Xavier's College is the larger school with 959 students compared with 387.
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 St Francis Xavier's College better than St Joseph's Primary School?
On the Success Index, St Francis Xavier's College ranks higher (84.6 vs 68.5 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 St Francis Xavier's College and St Joseph's Primary School?
About 1.2 km in a straight line, between Hamilton and Merewether in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
St Francis Xavier's College has 10.5 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Joseph's Primary School has 18.5.
How do St Francis Xavier's College and St Joseph's Primary School rank in NSW?
St Francis Xavier's College is 9th of 539 and St Joseph's Primary School is 361st of 1,619 among secondary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.