Charnwood-Dunlop School vs Melba Copland Secondary School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Australian Capital Territory, 2.1 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Charnwood-Dunlop School
Charnwood · Government primary · K-6
308 students · ICSEA 987
Melba Copland Secondary School
Melba · Government high school · 7-12
953 students · ICSEA 1041
| Measure | Charnwood-Dunlop School Charnwood ACT | Melba Copland Secondary School Melba ACT |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 45 Lower 50% | 73 Top 25% |
| State rank (type) | #78 of 80 | #12 of 27 |
| National rank (type) | #3079 of 4,908 | #206 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Primary | Secondary |
| Year range | K-6 | 7-12 |
| Students | 308 | 953 |
| Girls / boys | 138 / 170 | 436 / 517 |
| Foundation intake | 47 | – |
| Year 7 cohort | – | 159 |
| Year 12 cohort | – | 107 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -10% | +28% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 987 | 1041 |
| ICSEA percentile | 41th | 65th |
| Top SEA quarter | 13% | 24% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 33% | 24% |
| Students per teacher | 10.8 | 11.2 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 28.5 | 84.5 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 15.2 | 35.3 |
| Language background other than English | 36% | 19% |
| Indigenous students | 13% | 4% |
| Suburb | Charnwood 2615 | Melba 2615 |
| Council area | Unincorporated ACT | Unincorporated ACT |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.charnwoodps.act.edu.au/ | – |
The verdict
- •Melba Copland Secondary School scores higher on the Success Index (73.1 vs 45.0).
- •Melba Copland Secondary School has the higher ICSEA (1041 vs 987), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Melba Copland Secondary School is the larger school with 953 students compared with 308.
- •Melba Copland Secondary School has grown faster over five years (28% vs -10%).
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 Charnwood-Dunlop School better than Melba Copland Secondary School?
On the Success Index, Melba Copland Secondary School ranks higher (73.1 vs 45.0 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 Charnwood-Dunlop School and Melba Copland Secondary School?
About 2.1 km in a straight line, between Charnwood and Melba in Australian Capital Territory.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Charnwood-Dunlop School has 10.8 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Melba Copland Secondary School has 11.2.
How do Charnwood-Dunlop School and Melba Copland Secondary School rank in ACT?
Charnwood-Dunlop School is 78th of 80 and Melba Copland Secondary School is 12th of 27 among primary schools in Australian Capital Territory on the 2025 Success Index.