St John Paul II Catholic College vs The Ponds High School
A head-to-head comparison of two secondary schools in New South Wales, 448 m apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
St John Paul II Catholic College
Schofields · Catholic high school · 7-12
1,159 students · ICSEA 1074
The Ponds High School
The Ponds · Government high school · 7-12
2,321 students · ICSEA 1118
| Measure | St John Paul II Catholic College Schofields NSW | The Ponds High School The Ponds NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 72 Top 25% | 79 Top 10% |
| State rank (type) | #83 of 539 | #24 of 539 |
| National rank (type) | #230 of 1,472 | #79 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Catholic | Government |
| Type | Secondary | Secondary |
| Year range | 7-12 | 7-12 |
| Students | 1,159 | 2,321 |
| Girls / boys | 590 / 569 | 1,112 / 1,209 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | 237 | 422 |
| Year 12 cohort | 122 | 319 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +15% | +31% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1074 | 1118 |
| ICSEA percentile | 77th | 89th |
| Top SEA quarter | 31% | 49% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 13% | 5% |
| Students per teacher | 13.6 | 15.2 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 85.3 | 152.3 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 28.2 | 26.6 |
| Language background other than English | 58% | 79% |
| Indigenous students | 2% | 1% |
| Suburb | Schofields 2762 | The Ponds 2769 |
| Council area | Blacktown | Blacktown |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.stjohnpaul2.catholic.edu.au/ | theponds-h.schools.nsw.gov.au |
The verdict
- •The Ponds High School scores higher on the Success Index (79.4 vs 72.3).
- •The Ponds High School has the higher ICSEA (1118 vs 1074), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •St John Paul II Catholic College has fewer students per teacher (13.6 vs 15.2).
- •The Ponds High School is the larger school with 2,321 students compared with 1,159.
- •The Ponds High School has grown faster over five years (31% vs 15%).
- •St John Paul II Catholic College is a catholic school while The Ponds High School is a government 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 St John Paul II Catholic College better than The Ponds High School?
On the Success Index, The Ponds High School ranks higher (79.4 vs 72.3 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 John Paul II Catholic College and The Ponds High School?
About 448 m in a straight line, between Schofields and The Ponds in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
St John Paul II Catholic College has 13.6 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and The Ponds High School has 15.2.
How do St John Paul II Catholic College and The Ponds High School rank in NSW?
St John Paul II Catholic College is 83rd of 539 and The Ponds High School is 24th of 539 among secondary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.