Buckley Park College vs St John Bosco's School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Victoria, 858 m apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Buckley Park College
Essendon · Government high school · 7-12
888 students · ICSEA 1088
St John Bosco's School
Niddrie · Catholic primary · Prep-6
413 students · ICSEA 1108
| Measure | Buckley Park College Essendon VIC | St John Bosco's School Niddrie VIC |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 72 Top 25% | 76 Top 10% |
| State rank (type) | #92 of 348 | #225 of 1,290 |
| National rank (type) | #238 of 1,472 | #454 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Secondary | Primary |
| Year range | 7-12 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 888 | 413 |
| Girls / boys | 388 / 500 | 213 / 200 |
| Foundation intake | – | 49 |
| Year 7 cohort | 195 | – |
| Year 12 cohort | 163 | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | 30 | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | 7.3% | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -11% | -3% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1088 | 1108 |
| ICSEA percentile | 81th | 86th |
| Top SEA quarter | 34% | 40% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 11% | 5% |
| Students per teacher | 12.0 | 14.6 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 74.2 | 28.2 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 25.9 | 12.9 |
| Language background other than English | 47% | 8% |
| Indigenous students | 1% | 0% |
| Suburb | Essendon 3040 | Niddrie 3042 |
| Council area | Moonee Valley | Moonee Valley |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.buckleyparkco.vic.edu.au | www.sjbniddrie.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St John Bosco's School scores higher on the Success Index (76.2 vs 71.9).
- •St John Bosco's School has the higher ICSEA (1108 vs 1088), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Buckley Park College has fewer students per teacher (12.0 vs 14.6).
- •Buckley Park College is the larger school with 888 students compared with 413.
- •St John Bosco's School has grown faster over five years (-3% vs -11%).
- •Buckley Park College is a government school while St John Bosco'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 Buckley Park College better than St John Bosco's School?
On the Success Index, St John Bosco's School ranks higher (76.2 vs 71.9 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 Buckley Park College and St John Bosco's School?
About 858 m in a straight line, between Essendon and Niddrie in Victoria.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Buckley Park College has 12.0 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St John Bosco's School has 14.6.
How do Buckley Park College and St John Bosco's School rank in VIC?
Buckley Park College is 92nd of 348 and St John Bosco's School is 225th of 1,290 among secondary schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.