Elonera Montessori School vs Fairy Meadow Public School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 1.4 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Elonera Montessori School
Mount Ousley · Independent combined · K-12
187 students · ICSEA 1108
Fairy Meadow Public School
Fairy Meadow · Government primary · P-6
342 students · ICSEA 1002
| Measure | Elonera Montessori School Mount Ousley NSW | Fairy Meadow Public School Fairy Meadow NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 69 Top 25% | 55 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #98 of 314 | #757 of 1,619 |
| National rank (type) | #289 of 1,259 | #2313 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Independent | Government |
| Type | Combined | Primary |
| Year range | K-12 | P-6 |
| Students | 187 | 342 |
| Girls / boys | 86 / 101 | 149 / 193 |
| Foundation intake | 16 | 52 |
| Year 7 cohort | 17 | – |
| Year 12 cohort | 5 | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +26% | -6% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1108 | 1002 |
| ICSEA percentile | 86th | 48th |
| Top SEA quarter | 44% | 18% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 4% | 32% |
| Students per teacher | 9.8 | 13.2 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 19.1 | 26.0 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 18.8 | 9.2 |
| Language background other than English | 14% | 26% |
| Indigenous students | 3% | 10% |
| Suburb | Mount Ousley 2519 | Fairy Meadow 2519 |
| Council area | Wollongong | Wollongong |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.eloneramontessori.com.au | fairymeado-p.schools.nsw.gov.au |
The verdict
- •Elonera Montessori School scores higher on the Success Index (68.8 vs 55.1).
- •Elonera Montessori School has the higher ICSEA (1108 vs 1002), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Elonera Montessori School has fewer students per teacher (9.8 vs 13.2).
- •Fairy Meadow Public School is the larger school with 342 students compared with 187.
- •Elonera Montessori School has grown faster over five years (26% vs -6%).
- •Elonera Montessori School is a independent school while Fairy Meadow Public School is a government 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 Elonera Montessori School better than Fairy Meadow Public School?
On the Success Index, Elonera Montessori School ranks higher (68.8 vs 55.1 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 Elonera Montessori School and Fairy Meadow Public School?
About 1.4 km in a straight line, between Mount Ousley and Fairy Meadow in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Elonera Montessori School has 9.8 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Fairy Meadow Public School has 13.2.
How do Elonera Montessori School and Fairy Meadow Public School rank in NSW?
Elonera Montessori School is 98th of 314 and Fairy Meadow Public School is 757th of 1,619 among combined schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.