Giant Steps Sydney vs Riverside Girls High School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 1.3 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Giant Steps Sydney
Gladesville · Independent special · U
113 students · ICSEA 1103
Riverside Girls High School
Gladesville · Government high school · 7-12
665 students · ICSEA 1114
| Measure | Giant Steps Sydney Gladesville NSW | Riverside Girls High School Gladesville NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | – Not rated | 73 Top 25% |
| State rank (type) | – | #74 of 539 |
| National rank (type) | – | #210 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Independent | Government |
| Type | Special | Secondary |
| Year range | U | 7-12 |
| Students | 113 | 665 |
| Girls / boys | 26 / 87 | 665 / 0 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | – | 115 |
| Year 12 cohort | – | 141 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +26% | -22% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1103 | 1114 |
| ICSEA percentile | 85th | 88th |
| Top SEA quarter | 42% | 45% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 5% | 6% |
| Students per teacher | 4.0 | 12.9 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 27.2 | 51.0 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 83.5 | 10.3 |
| Language background other than English | 13% | 49% |
| Indigenous students | 3% | 1% |
| Suburb | Gladesville 2111 | Gladesville 2111 |
| Council area | Ryde | Hunters Hill |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.giantsteps.net.au | riversideg-h.schools.nsw.gov.au |
The verdict
- •Riverside Girls High School has the higher ICSEA (1114 vs 1103), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Giant Steps Sydney has fewer students per teacher (4.0 vs 12.9).
- •Riverside Girls High School is the larger school with 665 students compared with 113.
- •Giant Steps Sydney has grown faster over five years (26% vs -22%).
- •Giant Steps Sydney is a independent school while Riverside Girls High 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 Giant Steps Sydney better than Riverside Girls High 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 Giant Steps Sydney and Riverside Girls High School?
About 1.3 km in a straight line, between Gladesville and Gladesville in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Giant Steps Sydney has 4.0 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Riverside Girls High School has 12.9.
How do Giant Steps Sydney and Riverside Girls High School rank in NSW?
Giant Steps Sydney is unranked and Riverside Girls High School is 74th of 539 among special schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.