Spearwood Alternative School vs St Jerome's Primary School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in Western Australia, 1.4 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Spearwood Alternative School
Spearwood · Government primary · K-6
95 students · ICSEA 1079
St Jerome's Primary School
Lake Coogee · Catholic primary · PP-6
468 students · ICSEA 1051
| Measure | Spearwood Alternative School Spearwood WA | St Jerome's Primary School Lake Coogee WA |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 67 Top 25% | 55 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #115 of 583 | #249 of 583 |
| National rank (type) | #1284 of 4,908 | #2327 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | K-6 | PP-6 |
| Students | 95 | 468 |
| Girls / boys | 40 / 55 | 218 / 250 |
| Foundation intake | 10 | 68 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +1% | -16% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1079 | 1051 |
| ICSEA percentile | 78th | 69th |
| Top SEA quarter | 33% | 21% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 8% | 17% |
| Students per teacher | 13.8 | 15.6 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 6.5 | 30.0 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 5.8 | 20.1 |
| Language background other than English | 38% | 22% |
| Indigenous students | 7% | 1% |
| Suburb | Spearwood 6163 | Lake Coogee 6166 |
| Council area | Cockburn | Cockburn |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | spearwoodalternative.wa.edu.au/ | www.stjeromes.wa.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Spearwood Alternative School scores higher on the Success Index (67.1 vs 55.0).
- •Spearwood Alternative School has the higher ICSEA (1079 vs 1051), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Spearwood Alternative School has fewer students per teacher (13.8 vs 15.6).
- •St Jerome's Primary School is the larger school with 468 students compared with 95.
- •Spearwood Alternative School has grown faster over five years (1% vs -16%).
- •Spearwood Alternative School is a government school while St Jerome's Primary 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 Spearwood Alternative School better than St Jerome's Primary School?
On the Success Index, Spearwood Alternative School ranks higher (67.1 vs 55.0 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 Spearwood Alternative School and St Jerome's Primary School?
About 1.4 km in a straight line, between Spearwood and Lake Coogee in Western Australia.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Spearwood Alternative School has 13.8 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Jerome's Primary School has 15.6.
How do Spearwood Alternative School and St Jerome's Primary School rank in WA?
Spearwood Alternative School is 115th of 583 and St Jerome's Primary School is 249th of 583 among primary schools in Western Australia on the 2025 Success Index.