St Patrick's Parish School vs The Alpine School
A head-to-head comparison of two combined schools in New South Wales, 1.7 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
St Patrick's Parish School
Cooma · Catholic combined · K-10
457 students · ICSEA 1037
The Alpine School
Cooma · Independent combined · K-11
97 students · ICSEA 1032
| Measure | St Patrick's Parish School Cooma NSW | The Alpine School Cooma NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 52 Top 50% | 54 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #195 of 314 | #179 of 314 |
| National rank (type) | #618 of 1,259 | #571 of 1,259 |
| Sector | Catholic | Independent |
| Type | Combined | Combined |
| Year range | K-10 | K-11 |
| Students | 457 | 97 |
| Girls / boys | 228 / 229 | 47 / 50 |
| Foundation intake | 44 | 14 |
| Year 7 cohort | 41 | 9 |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +66% | +155% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1037 | 1032 |
| ICSEA percentile | 63th | 61th |
| Top SEA quarter | 18% | 16% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 19% | 20% |
| Students per teacher | 12.9 | 8.5 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 35.3 | 11.4 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 11.5 | 5.0 |
| Language background other than English | 30% | 6% |
| Indigenous students | 3% | 5% |
| Suburb | Cooma 2630 | Cooma 2630 |
| Council area | Snowy Monaro | Snowy Monaro |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | www.stpatscooma.nsw.edu.au | www.thealpineschool.nsw.edu.au |
The verdict
- •The Alpine School scores higher on the Success Index (53.8 vs 51.7).
- •St Patrick's Parish School has the higher ICSEA (1037 vs 1032), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •The Alpine School has fewer students per teacher (8.5 vs 12.9).
- •St Patrick's Parish School is the larger school with 457 students compared with 97.
- •The Alpine School has grown faster over five years (155% vs 66%).
- •St Patrick's Parish School is a catholic school while The Alpine School is an independent 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 Patrick's Parish School better than The Alpine School?
On the Success Index, The Alpine School ranks higher (53.8 vs 51.7 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 Patrick's Parish School and The Alpine School?
About 1.7 km in a straight line, between Cooma and Cooma in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
St Patrick's Parish School has 12.9 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and The Alpine School has 8.5.
How do St Patrick's Parish School and The Alpine School rank in NSW?
St Patrick's Parish School is 195th of 314 and The Alpine School is 179th of 314 among combined schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.