Challis Community Primary School vs Sowilo Community High School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Western Australia, 1.4 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Challis Community Primary School
Armadale · Government primary · K-6
830 students · ICSEA 936
Sowilo Community High School
Kelmscott · Independent special · 7-12
78 students · ICSEA 945
| Measure | Challis Community Primary School Armadale WA | Sowilo Community High School Kelmscott WA |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 23 Lower 50% | – Not rated |
| State rank (type) | #532 of 583 | – |
| National rank (type) | #4616 of 4,908 | – |
| Sector | Government | Independent |
| Type | Primary | Special |
| Year range | K-6 | 7-12 |
| Students | 830 | 78 |
| Girls / boys | 389 / 441 | 44 / 34 |
| Foundation intake | 101 | – |
| Year 7 cohort | – | 6 |
| Year 12 cohort | – | 15 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -11% | +3% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 936 | 945 |
| ICSEA percentile | 20th | 23th |
| Top SEA quarter | 4% | 4% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 51% | 57% |
| Students per teacher | 15.7 | 13.0 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 50.8 | 6.0 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 35.1 | 15.6 |
| Language background other than English | 31% | 0% |
| Indigenous students | 18% | 8% |
| Suburb | Armadale 6112 | Kelmscott 6111 |
| Council area | Armadale | Armadale |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.det.wa.edu.au/schoolsonline/overview.do?schoolID=5567 | www.sowilo.wa.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Sowilo Community High School has the higher ICSEA (945 vs 936), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Sowilo Community High School has fewer students per teacher (13.0 vs 15.7).
- •Challis Community Primary School is the larger school with 830 students compared with 78.
- •Sowilo Community High School has grown faster over five years (3% vs -11%).
- •Challis Community Primary School is a government school while Sowilo Community High 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 Challis Community Primary School better than Sowilo Community High 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 Challis Community Primary School and Sowilo Community High School?
About 1.4 km in a straight line, between Armadale and Kelmscott in Western Australia.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Challis Community Primary School has 15.7 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Sowilo Community High School has 13.0.
How do Challis Community Primary School and Sowilo Community High School rank in WA?
Challis Community Primary School is 532nd of 583 and Sowilo Community High School is unranked among primary schools in Western Australia on the 2025 Success Index.