Carrum Primary School vs St Joseph's School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in Victoria, 2.6 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Carrum Primary School
Carrum · Government primary · Prep-6
369 students · ICSEA 1075
St Joseph's School
Chelsea · Catholic primary · Prep-6
317 students · ICSEA 1084
| Measure | Carrum Primary School Carrum VIC | St Joseph's School Chelsea VIC |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 72 Top 25% | 67 Top 25% |
| State rank (type) | #368 of 1,290 | #471 of 1,290 |
| National rank (type) | #872 of 4,908 | #1274 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | Prep-6 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 369 | 317 |
| Girls / boys | 193 / 176 | 153 / 164 |
| Foundation intake | 61 | 42 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +8% | -13% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1075 | 1084 |
| ICSEA percentile | 77th | 80th |
| Top SEA quarter | 28% | 29% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 10% | 7% |
| Students per teacher | 15.2 | 13.5 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 24.3 | 23.4 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 12.3 | 6.2 |
| Language background other than English | 14% | 26% |
| Indigenous students | 3% | 1% |
| Suburb | Carrum 3197 | Chelsea 3196 |
| Council area | Kingston (Vic.) | Kingston (Vic.) |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.carrumps.vic.edu.au | www.sjchelsea.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Carrum Primary School scores higher on the Success Index (71.5 vs 67.2).
- •St Joseph's School has the higher ICSEA (1084 vs 1075), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •St Joseph's School has fewer students per teacher (13.5 vs 15.2).
- •Carrum Primary School is the larger school with 369 students compared with 317.
- •Carrum Primary School has grown faster over five years (8% vs -13%).
- •Carrum Primary School is a government school while St Joseph'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 Carrum Primary School better than St Joseph's School?
On the Success Index, Carrum Primary School ranks higher (71.5 vs 67.2 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 Carrum Primary School and St Joseph's School?
About 2.6 km in a straight line, between Carrum and Chelsea in Victoria.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Carrum Primary School has 15.2 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Joseph's School has 13.5.
How do Carrum Primary School and St Joseph's School rank in VIC?
Carrum Primary School is 368th of 1,290 and St Joseph's School is 471st of 1,290 among primary schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.