Brighton Secondary College vs St Leonard's College
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Victoria, 1.4 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Brighton Secondary College
Brighton East · Government high school · 7-12
873 students · ICSEA 1106
St Leonard's College
Brighton East · Independent combined · Prep-12
1,597 students · ICSEA 1184
| Measure | Brighton Secondary College Brighton East VIC | St Leonard's College Brighton East VIC |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 72 Top 25% | 87 Top 5% |
| State rank (type) | #89 of 348 | #15 of 239 |
| National rank (type) | #225 of 1,472 | #25 of 1,259 |
| Sector | Government | Independent |
| Type | Secondary | Combined |
| Year range | 7-12 | Prep-12 |
| Students | 873 | 1,597 |
| Girls / boys | 367 / 506 | 775 / 822 |
| Foundation intake | – | 39 |
| Year 7 cohort | 115 | 192 |
| Year 12 cohort | 160 | 185 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | 31 | 33 |
| VCE study scores 40+ | 6% | 12.8% |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -28% | +3% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1106 | 1184 |
| ICSEA percentile | 86th | 99th |
| Top SEA quarter | 44% | 73% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 8% | 1% |
| Students per teacher | 10.7 | 8.8 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 81.0 | 181.4 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 27.4 | 119.5 |
| Language background other than English | 41% | 31% |
| Indigenous students | 0% | 0% |
| Suburb | Brighton East 3187 | Brighton East 3187 |
| Council area | Bayside (Vic.) | Bayside (Vic.) |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.brightonsc.vic.edu.au | www.stleonards.vic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Leonard's College scores higher on the Success Index (87.1 vs 72.4).
- •St Leonard's College has the higher ICSEA (1184 vs 1106), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •St Leonard's College has fewer students per teacher (8.8 vs 10.7).
- •St Leonard's College is the larger school with 1,597 students compared with 873.
- •St Leonard's College has grown faster over five years (3% vs -28%).
- •Brighton Secondary College is a government school while St Leonard's College 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 Brighton Secondary College better than St Leonard's College?
On the Success Index, St Leonard's College ranks higher (87.1 vs 72.4 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 Brighton Secondary College and St Leonard's College?
About 1.4 km in a straight line, between Brighton East and Brighton East in Victoria.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Brighton Secondary College has 10.7 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Leonard's College has 8.8.
How do Brighton Secondary College and St Leonard's College rank in VIC?
Brighton Secondary College is 89th of 348 and St Leonard's College is 15th of 239 among secondary schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.