Avonvale Education Support Centre vs St Joseph's School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Western Australia, 2.1 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Avonvale Education Support Centre
Northam · Government special · K-12
40 students · ICSEA 932
St Joseph's School
Northam · Catholic combined · PP-12
721 students · ICSEA 1013
| Measure | Avonvale Education Support Centre Northam WA | St Joseph's School Northam WA |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | – Not rated | 38 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | – | #112 of 172 |
| National rank (type) | – | #902 of 1,259 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Special | Combined |
| Year range | K-12 | PP-12 |
| Students | 40 | 721 |
| Girls / boys | 6 / 34 | 389 / 332 |
| Foundation intake | 1 | 58 |
| Year 7 cohort | 2 | 63 |
| Year 12 cohort | 1 | 35 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +43% | +7% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 932 | 1013 |
| ICSEA percentile | 19th | 53th |
| Top SEA quarter | 9% | 13% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 61% | 27% |
| Students per teacher | 5.2 | 15.0 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 7.5 | 48.1 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 18.3 | 29.0 |
| Language background other than English | 100% | 9% |
| Indigenous students | 20% | 5% |
| Suburb | Northam 6401 | Northam 6401 |
| Council area | Northam | Northam |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | www.det.wa.edu.au/schoolsonline/overview.do?schoolID=6041 | www.sjsnortham.wa.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Joseph's School has the higher ICSEA (1013 vs 932), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Avonvale Education Support Centre has fewer students per teacher (5.2 vs 15.0).
- •St Joseph's School is the larger school with 721 students compared with 40.
- •Avonvale Education Support Centre has grown faster over five years (43% vs 7%).
- •Avonvale Education Support Centre is a government school while St Joseph's 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.
Free academic assessment
Torn between two schools? Start with your child.
Whichever you choose, a free Success Tutoring assessment shows exactly where your child is in English and Maths and how to get ahead before the next school year.
- Personalised learning plan mapped to the Australian Curriculum
- English & Maths from Kindergarten to Year 12
- Flexible memberships, no lock-in contracts
- Your nearest centre: Success Tutoring Ellenbrook
Frequently asked questions
Is Avonvale Education Support Centre better than St Joseph's School?
The two schools are very close on the Success Index. Differences in sector, size, year range and distance from home will matter more than the score.
How far apart are Avonvale Education Support Centre and St Joseph's School?
About 2.1 km in a straight line, between Northam and Northam in Western Australia.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Avonvale Education Support Centre has 5.2 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Joseph's School has 15.0.
How do Avonvale Education Support Centre and St Joseph's School rank in WA?
Avonvale Education Support Centre is unranked and St Joseph's School is 112th of 172 among special schools in Western Australia on the 2025 Success Index.