Broadmeadows Special Developmental School vs Penola Catholic College
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Victoria, 950 m apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Broadmeadows Special Developmental School
Broadmeadows · Government special · U
361 students · ICSEA 970
Penola Catholic College
Broadmeadows · Catholic high school · 7-12
1,373 students · ICSEA 1000
| Measure | Broadmeadows Special Developmental School Broadmeadows VIC | Penola Catholic College Broadmeadows VIC |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | – Not rated | 61 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | – | #154 of 348 |
| National rank (type) | – | #498 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Special | Secondary |
| Year range | U | 7-12 |
| Students | 361 | 1,373 |
| Girls / boys | 131 / 230 | 612 / 761 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | – | 226 |
| Year 12 cohort | – | 239 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | 27 |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | 1.5% |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +21% | -6% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 970 | 1000 |
| ICSEA percentile | 33th | 47th |
| Top SEA quarter | 9% | 12% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 47% | 35% |
| Students per teacher | 4.6 | 9.0 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 78.1 | 152.6 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 86.9 | 75.4 |
| Language background other than English | 80% | 39% |
| Indigenous students | 2% | 1% |
| Suburb | Broadmeadows 3047 | Broadmeadows 3047 |
| Council area | Hume | Hume |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.broadmeadowssds.vic.edu.au/ | www.penola.vic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Penola Catholic College has the higher ICSEA (1000 vs 970), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Broadmeadows Special Developmental School has fewer students per teacher (4.6 vs 9.0).
- •Penola Catholic College is the larger school with 1,373 students compared with 361.
- •Broadmeadows Special Developmental School has grown faster over five years (21% vs -6%).
- •Broadmeadows Special Developmental School is a government school while Penola Catholic College 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 Broadmeadows Special Developmental School better than Penola Catholic College?
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 Broadmeadows Special Developmental School and Penola Catholic College?
About 950 m in a straight line, between Broadmeadows and Broadmeadows in Victoria.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Broadmeadows Special Developmental School has 4.6 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Penola Catholic College has 9.0.
How do Broadmeadows Special Developmental School and Penola Catholic College rank in VIC?
Broadmeadows Special Developmental School is unranked and Penola Catholic College is 154th of 348 among special schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.