Barwon Valley School vs Highton Primary School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Victoria, 1.2 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Barwon Valley School
Belmont · Government special · U
161 students · ICSEA 1004
Highton Primary School
Highton · Government primary · Prep-6
359 students · ICSEA 1121
| Measure | Barwon Valley School Belmont VIC | Highton Primary School Highton VIC |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | – Not rated | 80 Top 5% |
| State rank (type) | – | #103 of 1,290 |
| National rank (type) | – | #177 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Special | Primary |
| Year range | U | Prep-6 |
| Students | 161 | 359 |
| Girls / boys | 53 / 108 | 185 / 174 |
| Foundation intake | – | 40 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -17% | +11% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1004 | 1121 |
| ICSEA percentile | 49th | 89th |
| Top SEA quarter | 17% | 49% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 35% | 5% |
| Students per teacher | 4.1 | 14.4 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 39.2 | 25.0 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 55.9 | 5.1 |
| Language background other than English | 10% | 18% |
| Indigenous students | 7% | 1% |
| Suburb | Belmont 3216 | Highton 3216 |
| Council area | Greater Geelong | Greater Geelong |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.barwonss.vic.edu.au | www.hightonps.vic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Highton Primary School has the higher ICSEA (1121 vs 1004), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Barwon Valley School has fewer students per teacher (4.1 vs 14.4).
- •Highton Primary School is the larger school with 359 students compared with 161.
- •Highton Primary School has grown faster over five years (11% vs -17%).
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 Barwon Valley School better than Highton 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 Barwon Valley School and Highton Primary School?
About 1.2 km in a straight line, between Belmont and Highton in Victoria.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Barwon Valley School has 4.1 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Highton Primary School has 14.4.
How do Barwon Valley School and Highton Primary School rank in VIC?
Barwon Valley School is unranked and Highton Primary School is 103rd of 1,290 among special schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.