Bridgewater Primary School vs The Hills Montessori School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in South Australia, 1.5 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Bridgewater Primary School
Bridgewater · Government primary · R-6
197 students · ICSEA 1076
The Hills Montessori School
Aldgate · Independent combined · R-9
133 students · ICSEA 1105
| Measure | Bridgewater Primary School Bridgewater SA | The Hills Montessori School Aldgate SA |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 62 Top 50% | 68 Top 25% |
| State rank (type) | #121 of 348 | #17 of 145 |
| National rank (type) | #1733 of 4,908 | #302 of 1,259 |
| Sector | Government | Independent |
| Type | Primary | Combined |
| Year range | R-6 | R-9 |
| Students | 197 | 133 |
| Girls / boys | 85 / 112 | 76 / 57 |
| Foundation intake | 26 | 16 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | 5 |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -13% | -24% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1076 | 1105 |
| ICSEA percentile | 77th | 86th |
| Top SEA quarter | 30% | 45% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 11% | 9% |
| Students per teacher | 17.3 | 10.6 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 11.4 | 12.5 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 5.8 | 9.4 |
| Language background other than English | 3% | 4% |
| Indigenous students | 2% | 0% |
| Suburb | Bridgewater 5155 | Aldgate 5154 |
| Council area | Adelaide Hills | Adelaide Hills |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.bridgeps.sa.edu.au | www.montessori.sa.edu.au |
The verdict
- •The Hills Montessori School scores higher on the Success Index (68.1 vs 62.1).
- •The Hills Montessori School has the higher ICSEA (1105 vs 1076), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •The Hills Montessori School has fewer students per teacher (10.6 vs 17.3).
- •Bridgewater Primary School is the larger school with 197 students compared with 133.
- •Bridgewater Primary School has grown faster over five years (-13% vs -24%).
- •Bridgewater Primary School is a government school while The Hills 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 Bridgewater Primary School better than The Hills Montessori School?
On the Success Index, The Hills Montessori School ranks higher (68.1 vs 62.1 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 Bridgewater Primary School and The Hills Montessori School?
About 1.5 km in a straight line, between Bridgewater and Aldgate in South Australia.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Bridgewater Primary School has 17.3 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and The Hills Montessori School has 10.6.
How do Bridgewater Primary School and The Hills Montessori School rank in SA?
Bridgewater Primary School is 121st of 348 and The Hills Montessori School is 17th of 145 among primary schools in South Australia on the 2025 Success Index.