Montessori East vs St Clare's College
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 1.1 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Montessori East
Bondi · Independent primary · K-6
80 students · ICSEA 1188
St Clare's College
Waverley · Catholic high school · 7-12
773 students · ICSEA 1118
| Measure | Montessori East Bondi NSW | St Clare's College Waverley NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 84 Top 5% | 80 Top 5% |
| State rank (type) | #12 of 1,619 | #19 of 539 |
| National rank (type) | #48 of 4,908 | #66 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Independent | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Secondary |
| Year range | K-6 | 7-12 |
| Students | 80 | 773 |
| Girls / boys | 48 / 32 | 773 / 0 |
| Foundation intake | 16 | – |
| Year 7 cohort | – | 120 |
| Year 12 cohort | – | 122 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -15% | +30% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1188 | 1118 |
| ICSEA percentile | 99th | 89th |
| Top SEA quarter | 69% | 46% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 0% | 4% |
| Students per teacher | 7.5 | 13.9 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 10.7 | 55.8 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 11.6 | 13.9 |
| Language background other than English | 44% | 34% |
| Indigenous students | 0% | 2% |
| Suburb | Bondi 2026 | Waverley 2024 |
| Council area | Waverley | Waverley |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.montessori.nsw.edu.au | stclares.syd.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Montessori East scores higher on the Success Index (84.1 vs 80.3).
- •Montessori East has the higher ICSEA (1188 vs 1118), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Montessori East has fewer students per teacher (7.5 vs 13.9).
- •St Clare's College is the larger school with 773 students compared with 80.
- •St Clare's College has grown faster over five years (30% vs -15%).
- •Montessori East is a independent school while St Clare's College 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 Montessori East better than St Clare's College?
On the Success Index, Montessori East ranks higher (84.1 vs 80.3 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 Montessori East and St Clare's College?
About 1.1 km in a straight line, between Bondi and Waverley in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Montessori East has 7.5 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Clare's College has 13.9.
How do Montessori East and St Clare's College rank in NSW?
Montessori East is 12th of 1,619 and St Clare's College is 19th of 539 among primary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.