Padstow Park Public School vs Southside Montessori School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in New South Wales, 1.3 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Padstow Park Public School
Padstow · Government primary · K-6
334 students · ICSEA 1019
Southside Montessori School
Riverwood · Independent primary · K-6
32 students · ICSEA 1110
| Measure | Padstow Park Public School Padstow NSW | Southside Montessori School Riverwood NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 56 Top 50% | 77 Top 10% |
| State rank (type) | #734 of 1,619 | – |
| National rank (type) | #2238 of 4,908 | – |
| Sector | Government | Independent |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | K-6 | K-6 |
| Students | 334 | 32 |
| Girls / boys | 169 / 165 | 12 / 20 |
| Foundation intake | 48 | 3 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -11% | +33% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1019 | 1110 |
| ICSEA percentile | 55th | 87th |
| Top SEA quarter | 14% | 47% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 27% | 1% |
| Students per teacher | 11.3 | 9.3 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 29.5 | 3.4 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 5.9 | 1.5 |
| Language background other than English | 61% | 87% |
| Indigenous students | 5% | 3% |
| Suburb | Padstow 2211 | Riverwood 2210 |
| Council area | Canterbury-Bankstown | Georges River |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | padstowpk-p.schools.nsw.gov.au | www.southsidemontessori.edu.au/ |
The verdict
- •Southside Montessori School scores higher on the Success Index (76.6 vs 56.2).
- •Southside Montessori School has the higher ICSEA (1110 vs 1019), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Southside Montessori School has fewer students per teacher (9.3 vs 11.3).
- •Padstow Park Public School is the larger school with 334 students compared with 32.
- •Southside Montessori School has grown faster over five years (33% vs -11%).
- •Padstow Park Public School is a government school while Southside Montessori School is an independent 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 Padstow Park Public School better than Southside Montessori School?
On the Success Index, Southside Montessori School ranks higher (76.6 vs 56.2 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 Padstow Park Public School and Southside Montessori School?
About 1.3 km in a straight line, between Padstow and Riverwood in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Padstow Park Public School has 11.3 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Southside Montessori School has 9.3.
How do Padstow Park Public School and Southside Montessori School rank in NSW?
Padstow Park Public School is 734th of 1,619 and Southside Montessori School is unranked among primary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.