Communicare Academy vs Thornlie Primary School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Western Australia, 1.8 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Communicare Academy
Kenwick · Independent special · 7-12
70 students · ICSEA 896
Thornlie Primary School
Thornlie · Government primary · K-6
470 students · ICSEA 941
| Measure | Communicare Academy Kenwick WA | Thornlie Primary School Thornlie WA |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | – Not rated | 39 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | – | #388 of 583 |
| National rank (type) | – | #3509 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Independent | Government |
| Type | Special | Primary |
| Year range | 7-12 | K-6 |
| Students | 70 | 470 |
| Girls / boys | 33 / 37 | 209 / 261 |
| Foundation intake | – | 45 |
| Year 7 cohort | 5 | – |
| Year 12 cohort | 11 | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -17% | +20% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 896 | 941 |
| ICSEA percentile | 10th | 21th |
| Top SEA quarter | 1% | 7% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 74% | 54% |
| Students per teacher | 5.8 | 13.9 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 12.0 | 32.8 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 10.2 | 27.1 |
| Language background other than English | 0% | 82% |
| Indigenous students | 9% | 7% |
| Suburb | Kenwick 6107 | Thornlie 6108 |
| Council area | Gosnells | Gosnells |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.communicare.wa.edu.au/ | www.det.wa.edu.au/schoolsonline/overview.do?schoolID=5434 |
The verdict
- •Thornlie Primary School has the higher ICSEA (941 vs 896), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Communicare Academy has fewer students per teacher (5.8 vs 13.9).
- •Thornlie Primary School is the larger school with 470 students compared with 70.
- •Thornlie Primary School has grown faster over five years (20% vs -17%).
- •Communicare Academy is a independent school while Thornlie Primary School is a government 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 Communicare Academy better than Thornlie Primary 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 Communicare Academy and Thornlie Primary School?
About 1.8 km in a straight line, between Kenwick and Thornlie in Western Australia.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Communicare Academy has 5.8 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Thornlie Primary School has 13.9.
How do Communicare Academy and Thornlie Primary School rank in WA?
Communicare Academy is unranked and Thornlie Primary School is 388th of 583 among special schools in Western Australia on the 2025 Success Index.