Caledonian Primary School vs St Francis Xavier School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in Victoria, 1.0 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Caledonian Primary School
Brown Hill · Government primary · Prep-6
215 students · ICSEA 1010
St Francis Xavier School
Ballarat East · Catholic primary · Prep-6
482 students · ICSEA 1071
| Measure | Caledonian Primary School Brown Hill VIC | St Francis Xavier School Ballarat East VIC |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 57 Top 50% | 63 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #723 of 1,290 | #590 of 1,290 |
| National rank (type) | #2146 of 4,908 | #1669 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | Prep-6 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 215 | 482 |
| Girls / boys | 110 / 105 | 233 / 249 |
| Foundation intake | 35 | 69 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +0% | +10% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1010 | 1071 |
| ICSEA percentile | 52th | 76th |
| Top SEA quarter | 16% | 25% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 31% | 12% |
| Students per teacher | 12.2 | 15.0 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 17.6 | 32.1 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 4.5 | 16.9 |
| Language background other than English | 3% | 4% |
| Indigenous students | 7% | 1% |
| Suburb | Brown Hill 3350 | Ballarat East 3350 |
| Council area | Ballarat | Ballarat |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | www.caledonianps.vic.edu.au | www.sfxballarat.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Francis Xavier School scores higher on the Success Index (62.8 vs 57.1).
- •St Francis Xavier School has the higher ICSEA (1071 vs 1010), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Caledonian Primary School has fewer students per teacher (12.2 vs 15.0).
- •St Francis Xavier School is the larger school with 482 students compared with 215.
- •St Francis Xavier School has grown faster over five years (10% vs 0%).
- •Caledonian Primary School is a government school while St Francis Xavier 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 Caledonian Primary School better than St Francis Xavier School?
On the Success Index, St Francis Xavier School ranks higher (62.8 vs 57.1 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 Caledonian Primary School and St Francis Xavier School?
About 1.0 km in a straight line, between Brown Hill and Ballarat East in Victoria.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Caledonian Primary School has 12.2 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Francis Xavier School has 15.0.
How do Caledonian Primary School and St Francis Xavier School rank in VIC?
Caledonian Primary School is 723rd of 1,290 and St Francis Xavier School is 590th of 1,290 among primary schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.