Arnolds Creek Primary School vs Melton Specialist School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Victoria, 2.8 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Arnolds Creek Primary School
Harkness · Government primary · Prep-6
724 students · ICSEA 999
Melton Specialist School
Melton · Government special · U
406 students · ICSEA 951
| Measure | Arnolds Creek Primary School Harkness VIC | Melton Specialist School Melton VIC |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 50 Top 50% | – Not rated |
| State rank (type) | #867 of 1,290 | – |
| National rank (type) | #2656 of 4,908 | – |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Primary | Special |
| Year range | Prep-6 | U |
| Students | 724 | 406 |
| Girls / boys | 361 / 363 | 112 / 294 |
| Foundation intake | 88 | – |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +25% | +32% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 999 | 951 |
| ICSEA percentile | 46th | 25th |
| Top SEA quarter | 9% | 5% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 34% | 54% |
| Students per teacher | 14.5 | 6.1 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 49.9 | 66.3 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 25.8 | 156.3 |
| Language background other than English | 50% | 39% |
| Indigenous students | 3% | 8% |
| Suburb | Harkness 3337 | Melton 3337 |
| Council area | Melton | Melton |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | arnoldscreekps.vic.edu.au/ | www.meltonss.vic.edu.au/ |
The verdict
- •Arnolds Creek Primary School has the higher ICSEA (999 vs 951), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Melton Specialist School has fewer students per teacher (6.1 vs 14.5).
- •Arnolds Creek Primary School is the larger school with 724 students compared with 406.
- •Melton Specialist School has grown faster over five years (32% vs 25%).
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 Arnolds Creek Primary School better than Melton Specialist 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 Arnolds Creek Primary School and Melton Specialist School?
About 2.8 km in a straight line, between Harkness and Melton in Victoria.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Arnolds Creek Primary School has 14.5 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Melton Specialist School has 6.1.
How do Arnolds Creek Primary School and Melton Specialist School rank in VIC?
Arnolds Creek Primary School is 867th of 1,290 and Melton Specialist School is unranked among primary schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.