Chalmers Road School vs Meriden School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 964 m apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Chalmers Road School
Strathfield · Government special · U
79 students · ICSEA 1006
Meriden School
Strathfield · Independent combined · K-12
1,761 students · ICSEA 1180
| Measure | Chalmers Road School Strathfield NSW | Meriden School Strathfield NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | – Not rated | 86 Top 5% |
| State rank (type) | – | #10 of 314 |
| National rank (type) | – | #31 of 1,259 |
| Sector | Government | Independent |
| Type | Special | Combined |
| Year range | U | K-12 |
| Students | 79 | 1,761 |
| Girls / boys | 13 / 66 | 1,761 / 0 |
| Foundation intake | – | 72 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | 192 |
| Year 12 cohort | – | 211 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +14% | +30% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1006 | 1180 |
| ICSEA percentile | 50th | 99th |
| Top SEA quarter | 16% | 71% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 36% | 1% |
| Students per teacher | 5.2 | 10.3 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 15.1 | 170.8 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 15.2 | 98.7 |
| Language background other than English | 90% | 80% |
| Indigenous students | 3% | 0% |
| Suburb | Strathfield 2135 | Strathfield 2135 |
| Council area | Strathfield | Strathfield |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | chalmersrd-s.schools.nsw.gov.au | www.meriden.nsw.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Meriden School has the higher ICSEA (1180 vs 1006), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Chalmers Road School has fewer students per teacher (5.2 vs 10.3).
- •Meriden School is the larger school with 1,761 students compared with 79.
- •Meriden School has grown faster over five years (30% vs 14%).
- •Chalmers Road School is a government school while Meriden School 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.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Chalmers Road School better than Meriden School?
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 Chalmers Road School and Meriden School?
About 964 m in a straight line, between Strathfield and Strathfield in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Chalmers Road School has 5.2 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Meriden School has 10.3.
How do Chalmers Road School and Meriden School rank in NSW?
Chalmers Road School is unranked and Meriden School is 10th of 314 among special schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.