Giant Steps Sydney vs Villa Maria Catholic Primary 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.
Giant Steps Sydney
Gladesville · Independent special · U
113 students · ICSEA 1103
Villa Maria Catholic Primary School
Hunters Hill · Catholic primary · K-6
360 students · ICSEA 1166
| Measure | Giant Steps Sydney Gladesville NSW | Villa Maria Catholic Primary School Hunters Hill NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | – Not rated | 76 Top 10% |
| State rank (type) | – | #132 of 1,619 |
| National rank (type) | – | #494 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Independent | Catholic |
| Type | Special | Primary |
| Year range | U | K-6 |
| Students | 113 | 360 |
| Girls / boys | 26 / 87 | 183 / 177 |
| Foundation intake | – | 60 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +26% | -11% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1103 | 1166 |
| ICSEA percentile | 85th | 97th |
| Top SEA quarter | 42% | 66% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 5% | 1% |
| Students per teacher | 4.0 | 17.6 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 27.2 | 20.4 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 83.5 | 6.5 |
| Language background other than English | 13% | 46% |
| Indigenous students | 3% | 1% |
| Suburb | Gladesville 2111 | Hunters Hill 2110 |
| Council area | Ryde | Hunters Hill |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.giantsteps.net.au | vmhuntershill.syd.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Villa Maria Catholic Primary School has the higher ICSEA (1166 vs 1103), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Giant Steps Sydney has fewer students per teacher (4.0 vs 17.6).
- •Villa Maria Catholic Primary School is the larger school with 360 students compared with 113.
- •Giant Steps Sydney has grown faster over five years (26% vs -11%).
- •Giant Steps Sydney is a independent school while Villa Maria Catholic Primary School is a catholic 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 Villa Maria Catholic Primary 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 Villa Maria Catholic Primary School?
About 1.4 km in a straight line, between Gladesville and Hunters Hill 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 Villa Maria Catholic Primary School has 17.6.
How do Giant Steps Sydney and Villa Maria Catholic Primary School rank in NSW?
Giant Steps Sydney is unranked and Villa Maria Catholic Primary School is 132nd of 1,619 among special schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.