Narrabundah College vs St Bede's Primary School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Australian Capital Territory, 1.7 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Narrabundah College
Narrabundah · Government high school · 11-12
977 students · ICSEA 1131
St Bede's Primary School
Red Hill · Catholic primary · K-6
261 students · ICSEA 1117
| Measure | Narrabundah College Narrabundah ACT | St Bede's Primary School Red Hill ACT |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 76 Top 25% | 78 Top 10% |
| State rank (type) | #5 of 27 | #18 of 80 |
| National rank (type) | #143 of 1,472 | #314 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Secondary | Primary |
| Year range | 11-12 | K-6 |
| Students | 977 | 261 |
| Girls / boys | 478 / 499 | 134 / 127 |
| Foundation intake | – | 40 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | 481 | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +5% | +93% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1131 | 1117 |
| ICSEA percentile | 91th | 88th |
| Top SEA quarter | 56% | 46% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 5% | 4% |
| Students per teacher | 14.7 | 16.4 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 66.3 | 15.9 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 12.2 | 5.1 |
| Language background other than English | 65% | 5% |
| Indigenous students | 1% | 2% |
| Suburb | Narrabundah 2604 | Red Hill 2603 |
| Council area | Unincorporated ACT | Unincorporated ACT |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.narrabundahc.act.edu.au/ | www.stbedes.act.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Bede's Primary School scores higher on the Success Index (78.2 vs 75.8).
- •Narrabundah College has the higher ICSEA (1131 vs 1117), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Narrabundah College has fewer students per teacher (14.7 vs 16.4).
- •Narrabundah College is the larger school with 977 students compared with 261.
- •St Bede's Primary School has grown faster over five years (93% vs 5%).
- •Narrabundah College is a government school while St Bede'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 Narrabundah College better than St Bede's Primary School?
On the Success Index, St Bede's Primary School ranks higher (78.2 vs 75.8 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 Narrabundah College and St Bede's Primary School?
About 1.7 km in a straight line, between Narrabundah and Red Hill in Australian Capital Territory.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Narrabundah College has 14.7 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Bede's Primary School has 16.4.
How do Narrabundah College and St Bede's Primary School rank in ACT?
Narrabundah College is 5th of 27 and St Bede's Primary School is 18th of 80 among secondary schools in Australian Capital Territory on the 2025 Success Index.