Bell Primary School vs St Mary's School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in Victoria, 1.4 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Bell Primary School
Preston · Government primary · Prep-6
440 students · ICSEA 1165
St Mary's School
Thornbury · Catholic primary · Prep-6
113 students · ICSEA 1089
| Measure | Bell Primary School Preston VIC | St Mary's School Thornbury VIC |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 80 Top 5% | 72 Top 25% |
| State rank (type) | #113 of 1,290 | #362 of 1,290 |
| National rank (type) | #203 of 4,908 | #854 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | Prep-6 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 440 | 113 |
| Girls / boys | 215 / 225 | 61 / 52 |
| Foundation intake | 69 | 8 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -13% | -54% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1165 | 1089 |
| ICSEA percentile | 97th | 81th |
| Top SEA quarter | 69% | 36% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 2% | 13% |
| Students per teacher | 14.4 | 9.7 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 30.6 | 11.6 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 6.9 | 7.1 |
| Language background other than English | 13% | 16% |
| Indigenous students | 2% | 1% |
| Suburb | Preston 3072 | Thornbury 3071 |
| Council area | Darebin | Darebin |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.bellps.vic.edu.au | www.smthornbury.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Bell Primary School scores higher on the Success Index (79.7 vs 71.7).
- •Bell Primary School has the higher ICSEA (1165 vs 1089), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •St Mary's School has fewer students per teacher (9.7 vs 14.4).
- •Bell Primary School is the larger school with 440 students compared with 113.
- •Bell Primary School has grown faster over five years (-13% vs -54%).
- •Bell Primary School is a government school while St Mary's School 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 Bell Primary School better than St Mary's School?
On the Success Index, Bell Primary School ranks higher (79.7 vs 71.7 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 Bell Primary School and St Mary's School?
About 1.4 km in a straight line, between Preston and Thornbury in Victoria.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Bell Primary School has 14.4 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Mary's School has 9.7.
How do Bell Primary School and St Mary's School rank in VIC?
Bell Primary School is 113th of 1,290 and St Mary's School is 362nd of 1,290 among primary schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.