Canterbury Vale School vs Rissalah College
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 196 m apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Canterbury Vale School
Lakemba · Government special · U
36 students · ICSEA 921
Rissalah College
Lakemba · Independent combined · K-12
946 students · ICSEA 1041
| Measure | Canterbury Vale School Lakemba NSW | Rissalah College Lakemba NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | – Not rated | 50 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | – | #205 of 314 |
| National rank (type) | – | #655 of 1,259 |
| Sector | Government | Independent |
| Type | Special | Combined |
| Year range | U | K-12 |
| Students | 36 | 946 |
| Girls / boys | 7 / 29 | 528 / 418 |
| Foundation intake | – | 73 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | 77 |
| Year 12 cohort | – | 18 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +57% | +59% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 921 | 1041 |
| ICSEA percentile | 15th | 65th |
| Top SEA quarter | 6% | 20% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 64% | 23% |
| Students per teacher | 2.3 | 15.4 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 16.0 | 61.6 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 10.4 | 28.0 |
| Language background other than English | 60% | 88% |
| Indigenous students | 8% | 0% |
| Suburb | Lakemba 2195 | Lakemba 2195 |
| Council area | Canterbury-Bankstown | Canterbury-Bankstown |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | cantervale-s.schools.nsw.gov.au | www.rissalah.nsw.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Rissalah College has the higher ICSEA (1041 vs 921), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Canterbury Vale School has fewer students per teacher (2.3 vs 15.4).
- •Rissalah College is the larger school with 946 students compared with 36.
- •Canterbury Vale School is a government school while Rissalah College is an independent 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.
Free academic assessment
Torn between two schools? Start with your child.
Whichever you choose, a free Success Tutoring assessment shows exactly where your child is in English and Maths and how to get ahead before the next school year.
- Personalised learning plan mapped to the Australian Curriculum
- English & Maths from Kindergarten to Year 12
- Flexible memberships, no lock-in contracts
- Your nearest centre: Success Tutoring Bankstown
Frequently asked questions
Is Canterbury Vale School better than Rissalah College?
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 Canterbury Vale School and Rissalah College?
About 196 m in a straight line, between Lakemba and Lakemba in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Canterbury Vale School has 2.3 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Rissalah College has 15.4.
How do Canterbury Vale School and Rissalah College rank in NSW?
Canterbury Vale School is unranked and Rissalah College is 205th of 314 among special schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.