Elonera Montessori School vs Para Meadows School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 908 m 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
Para Meadows School
North Wollongong · Government special · U
113 students · ICSEA 945
| Measure | Elonera Montessori School Mount Ousley NSW | Para Meadows School North Wollongong NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 69 Top 25% | – Not rated |
| State rank (type) | #98 of 314 | – |
| National rank (type) | #289 of 1,259 | – |
| Sector | Independent | Government |
| Type | Combined | Special |
| Year range | K-12 | U |
| Students | 187 | 113 |
| Girls / boys | 86 / 101 | 30 / 83 |
| Foundation intake | 16 | – |
| Year 7 cohort | 17 | – |
| Year 12 cohort | 5 | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +26% | +3% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1108 | 945 |
| ICSEA percentile | 86th | 23th |
| Top SEA quarter | 44% | 11% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 4% | 47% |
| Students per teacher | 9.8 | 4.5 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 19.1 | 25.2 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 18.8 | 21.0 |
| Language background other than English | 14% | 23% |
| Indigenous students | 3% | 19% |
| Suburb | Mount Ousley 2519 | North Wollongong 2500 |
| Council area | Wollongong | Wollongong |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.eloneramontessori.com.au | parameadow-s.schools.nsw.gov.au |
The verdict
- •Elonera Montessori School has the higher ICSEA (1108 vs 945), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Para Meadows School has fewer students per teacher (4.5 vs 9.8).
- •Elonera Montessori School is the larger school with 187 students compared with 113.
- •Elonera Montessori School has grown faster over five years (26% vs 3%).
- •Elonera Montessori School is a independent school while Para Meadows 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 Para Meadows 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 Elonera Montessori School and Para Meadows School?
About 908 m in a straight line, between Mount Ousley and North Wollongong 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 Para Meadows School has 4.5.
How do Elonera Montessori School and Para Meadows School rank in NSW?
Elonera Montessori School is 98th of 314 and Para Meadows School is unranked among combined schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.