St Michael's Primary School vs Tea Gardens Public School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in New South Wales, 6.5 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
St Michael's Primary School
Nelson Bay · Catholic primary · K-6
269 students · ICSEA 1040
Tea Gardens Public School
Tea Gardens · Government primary · K-6
130 students · ICSEA 934
| Measure | St Michael's Primary School Nelson Bay NSW | Tea Gardens Public School Tea Gardens NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 61 Top 50% | 32 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #620 of 1,619 | #1282 of 1,619 |
| National rank (type) | #1891 of 4,908 | #3974 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Catholic | Government |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | K-6 | K-6 |
| Students | 269 | 130 |
| Girls / boys | 138 / 131 | 59 / 71 |
| Foundation intake | 40 | 16 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -1% | -20% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1040 | 934 |
| ICSEA percentile | 64th | 19th |
| Top SEA quarter | 19% | 7% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 18% | 50% |
| Students per teacher | 14.5 | 13.1 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 18.5 | 9.9 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 6.8 | 1.9 |
| Language background other than English | 21% | 18% |
| Indigenous students | 6% | 25% |
| Suburb | Nelson Bay 2315 | Tea Gardens 2324 |
| Council area | Port Stephens | Mid-Coast |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | nelsonbay.catholic.edu.au | teagardens-p.schools.nsw.gov.au |
The verdict
- •St Michael's Primary School scores higher on the Success Index (60.5 vs 32.2).
- •St Michael's Primary School has the higher ICSEA (1040 vs 934), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Tea Gardens Public School has fewer students per teacher (13.1 vs 14.5).
- •St Michael's Primary School is the larger school with 269 students compared with 130.
- •St Michael's Primary School has grown faster over five years (-1% vs -20%).
- •St Michael's Primary School is a catholic school while Tea Gardens Public 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 Michael's Primary School better than Tea Gardens Public School?
On the Success Index, St Michael's Primary School ranks higher (60.5 vs 32.2 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 St Michael's Primary School and Tea Gardens Public School?
About 6.5 km in a straight line, between Nelson Bay and Tea Gardens in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
St Michael's Primary School has 14.5 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Tea Gardens Public School has 13.1.
How do St Michael's Primary School and Tea Gardens Public School rank in NSW?
St Michael's Primary School is 620th 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.