Blue Gum Community School vs Southside Montessori School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in New South Wales, 28 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Blue Gum Community School
Hornsby · Independent primary · K-2
21 students · ICSEA 1105
Southside Montessori School
Riverwood · Independent primary · K-6
32 students · ICSEA 1110
| Measure | Blue Gum Community School Hornsby NSW | Southside Montessori School Riverwood NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 80 Top 5% | 77 Top 10% |
| State rank (type) | – | – |
| National rank (type) | – | – |
| Sector | Independent | Independent |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | K-2 | K-6 |
| Students | 21 | 32 |
| Girls / boys | 12 / 9 | 12 / 20 |
| Foundation intake | 8 | 3 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | – | +33% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1105 | 1110 |
| ICSEA percentile | 86th | 87th |
| Top SEA quarter | 40% | 47% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 3% | 1% |
| Students per teacher | 6.2 | 9.3 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 3.4 | 3.4 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 1.0 | 1.5 |
| Language background other than English | 45% | 87% |
| Indigenous students | 5% | 3% |
| Suburb | Hornsby 2077 | Riverwood 2210 |
| Council area | Hornsby | Georges River |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | bluegum.nsw.edu.au/ | www.southsidemontessori.edu.au/ |
The verdict
- •Blue Gum Community School scores higher on the Success Index (80.2 vs 76.6).
- •Southside Montessori School has the higher ICSEA (1110 vs 1105), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Blue Gum Community School has fewer students per teacher (6.2 vs 9.3).
- •Southside Montessori School is the larger school with 32 students compared with 21.
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 Blue Gum Community School better than Southside Montessori School?
On the Success Index, Blue Gum Community School ranks higher (80.2 vs 76.6 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 Blue Gum Community School and Southside Montessori School?
About 28 km in a straight line, between Hornsby and Riverwood in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Blue Gum Community School has 6.2 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Southside Montessori School has 9.3.
How do Blue Gum Community School and Southside Montessori School rank in NSW?
Blue Gum Community School is unranked and Southside Montessori School is unranked among primary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.