St Joseph's Regional College vs Wauchope High School
A head-to-head comparison of two secondary schools in New South Wales, 9.5 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
St Joseph's Regional College
Port Macquarie · Catholic high school · 7-12
1,026 students · ICSEA 1017
Wauchope High School
Wauchope · Government high school · 7-12
458 students · ICSEA 894
| Measure | St Joseph's Regional College Port Macquarie NSW | Wauchope High School Wauchope NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 58 Top 50% | 23 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #221 of 539 | #495 of 539 |
| National rank (type) | #559 of 1,472 | #1351 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Catholic | Government |
| Type | Secondary | Secondary |
| Year range | 7-12 | 7-12 |
| Students | 1,026 | 458 |
| Girls / boys | 556 / 470 | 227 / 231 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | 222 | 100 |
| Year 12 cohort | 95 | 38 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +3% | -9% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1017 | 894 |
| ICSEA percentile | 55th | 10th |
| Top SEA quarter | 14% | 3% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 22% | 63% |
| Students per teacher | 11.8 | 9.5 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 86.7 | 48.2 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 33.6 | 15.4 |
| Language background other than English | 6% | 2% |
| Indigenous students | 9% | 28% |
| Suburb | Port Macquarie 2444 | Wauchope 2446 |
| Council area | Port Macquarie-Hastings | Port Macquarie-Hastings |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | www.pmreglism.catholic.edu.au/ | wauchope-h.schools.nsw.gov.au |
The verdict
- •St Joseph's Regional College scores higher on the Success Index (58.1 vs 23.3).
- •St Joseph's Regional College has the higher ICSEA (1017 vs 894), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Wauchope High School has fewer students per teacher (9.5 vs 11.8).
- •St Joseph's Regional College is the larger school with 1,026 students compared with 458.
- •St Joseph's Regional College has grown faster over five years (3% vs -9%).
- •St Joseph's Regional College is a catholic school while Wauchope 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 Joseph's Regional College better than Wauchope High School?
On the Success Index, St Joseph's Regional College ranks higher (58.1 vs 23.3 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 Joseph's Regional College and Wauchope High School?
About 9.5 km in a straight line, between Port Macquarie and Wauchope in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
St Joseph's Regional College has 11.8 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Wauchope High School has 9.5.
How do St Joseph's Regional College and Wauchope High School rank in NSW?
St Joseph's Regional College is 221st of 539 and Wauchope High School is 495th of 539 among secondary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.