Brighton High School vs St Paul's Catholic School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Tasmania, 3.7 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Brighton High School
Brighton · Government high school · 7-11
133 students · ICSEA 921
St Paul's Catholic School
Bridgewater · Catholic primary · Prep-6
178 students · ICSEA 895
| Measure | Brighton High School Brighton TAS | St Paul's Catholic School Bridgewater TAS |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 23 Lower 50% | 27 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #33 of 42 | #105 of 132 |
| National rank (type) | #1352 of 1,472 | #4395 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Secondary | Primary |
| Year range | 7-11 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 133 | 178 |
| Girls / boys | 69 / 64 | 89 / 89 |
| Foundation intake | – | 27 |
| Year 7 cohort | 118 | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | – | +7% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 921 | 895 |
| ICSEA percentile | 15th | 10th |
| Top SEA quarter | 2% | 2% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 53% | 62% |
| Students per teacher | 6.8 | 9.8 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 19.0 | 18.2 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 18.0 | 12.9 |
| Language background other than English | 1% | 4% |
| Indigenous students | 25% | 29% |
| Suburb | Brighton 7030 | Bridgewater 7030 |
| Council area | Brighton | Brighton |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | brightonhigh.education.tas.edu.au/ | www.stpauls.tas.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Paul's Catholic School scores higher on the Success Index (26.5 vs 23.2).
- •Brighton High School has the higher ICSEA (921 vs 895), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Brighton High School has fewer students per teacher (6.8 vs 9.8).
- •St Paul's Catholic School is the larger school with 178 students compared with 133.
- •Brighton High School is a government school while St Paul's Catholic 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 Brighton High School better than St Paul's Catholic School?
On the Success Index, St Paul's Catholic School ranks higher (26.5 vs 23.2 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 Brighton High School and St Paul's Catholic School?
About 3.7 km in a straight line, between Brighton and Bridgewater in Tasmania.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Brighton High School has 6.8 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Paul's Catholic School has 9.8.
How do Brighton High School and St Paul's Catholic School rank in TAS?
Brighton High School is 33rd of 42 and St Paul's Catholic School is 105th of 132 among secondary schools in Tasmania on the 2025 Success Index.