Burnside State School vs St Joseph's Primary School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in Queensland, 1.2 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Burnside State School
Burnside · Government primary · Prep-6
368 students · ICSEA 984
St Joseph's Primary School
Nambour · Catholic primary · Prep-6
341 students · ICSEA 1045
| Measure | Burnside State School Burnside QLD | St Joseph's Primary School Nambour QLD |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 47 Lower 50% | 53 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #368 of 804 | #299 of 804 |
| National rank (type) | #2886 of 4,908 | #2504 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | Prep-6 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 368 | 341 |
| Girls / boys | 181 / 187 | 176 / 165 |
| Foundation intake | 55 | 37 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -18% | -10% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 984 | 1045 |
| ICSEA percentile | 39th | 66th |
| Top SEA quarter | 9% | 16% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 38% | 12% |
| Students per teacher | 12.4 | 16.2 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 29.6 | 21.0 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 17.4 | 10.0 |
| Language background other than English | 12% | 8% |
| Indigenous students | 10% | 5% |
| Suburb | Burnside 4560 | Nambour 4560 |
| Council area | Sunshine Coast | Sunshine Coast |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | burnsidess.eq.edu.au | www.stjosephsnambour.qld.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Joseph's Primary School scores higher on the Success Index (52.8 vs 47.3).
- •St Joseph's Primary School has the higher ICSEA (1045 vs 984), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Burnside State School has fewer students per teacher (12.4 vs 16.2).
- •Burnside State School is the larger school with 368 students compared with 341.
- •St Joseph's Primary School has grown faster over five years (-10% vs -18%).
- •Burnside State School is a government school while St Joseph's Primary School is a catholic 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 Burnside State School better than St Joseph's Primary School?
On the Success Index, St Joseph's Primary School ranks higher (52.8 vs 47.3 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 Burnside State School and St Joseph's Primary School?
About 1.2 km in a straight line, between Burnside and Nambour in Queensland.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Burnside State School has 12.4 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Joseph's Primary School has 16.2.
How do Burnside State School and St Joseph's Primary School rank in QLD?
Burnside State School is 368th of 804 and St Joseph's Primary School is 299th of 804 among primary schools in Queensland on the 2025 Success Index.