Holy Spirit School vs St James College
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Queensland, 1.6 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Holy Spirit School
New Farm · Catholic primary · Prep-6
265 students · ICSEA 1138
St James College
Brisbane · Catholic combined · 5-12
980 students · ICSEA 978
| Measure | Holy Spirit School New Farm QLD | St James College Brisbane QLD |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 74 Top 25% | 42 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #50 of 804 | #170 of 275 |
| National rank (type) | #597 of 4,908 | #821 of 1,259 |
| Sector | Catholic | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Combined |
| Year range | Prep-6 | 5-12 |
| Students | 265 | 980 |
| Girls / boys | 142 / 123 | 422 / 558 |
| Foundation intake | 53 | – |
| Year 7 cohort | – | 86 |
| Year 12 cohort | – | 229 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -7% | +96% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1138 | 978 |
| ICSEA percentile | 93th | 37th |
| Top SEA quarter | 58% | 14% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 3% | 41% |
| Students per teacher | 14.6 | 12.1 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 18.2 | 81.1 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 8.1 | 74.5 |
| Language background other than English | 19% | 64% |
| Indigenous students | 2% | 7% |
| Suburb | New Farm 4005 | Brisbane 4000 |
| Council area | Brisbane | Brisbane |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.holyspiritnewfarm.qld.edu.au | www.stjamescollege.qld.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Holy Spirit School scores higher on the Success Index (74.3 vs 42.2).
- •Holy Spirit School has the higher ICSEA (1138 vs 978), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •St James College has fewer students per teacher (12.1 vs 14.6).
- •St James College is the larger school with 980 students compared with 265.
- •St James College has grown faster over five years (96% vs -7%).
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 Holy Spirit School better than St James College?
On the Success Index, Holy Spirit School ranks higher (74.3 vs 42.2 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 Holy Spirit School and St James College?
About 1.6 km in a straight line, between New Farm and Brisbane in Queensland.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Holy Spirit School has 14.6 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St James College has 12.1.
How do Holy Spirit School and St James College rank in QLD?
Holy Spirit School is 50th of 804 and St James College is 170th of 275 among primary schools in Queensland on the 2025 Success Index.