Cowes Primary School vs Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Primary School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in Victoria, 1.1 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Cowes Primary School
Cowes · Government primary · Prep-6
523 students · ICSEA 1019
Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Primary School
Cowes · Catholic primary · Prep-6
110 students · ICSEA 995
| Measure | Cowes Primary School Cowes VIC | Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Primary School Cowes VIC |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 55 Top 50% | 47 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #775 of 1,290 | #948 of 1,290 |
| National rank (type) | #2322 of 4,908 | #2948 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | Prep-6 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 523 | 110 |
| Girls / boys | 258 / 265 | 54 / 56 |
| Foundation intake | 54 | 12 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -4% | +55% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1019 | 995 |
| ICSEA percentile | 55th | 45th |
| Top SEA quarter | 16% | 6% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 28% | 39% |
| Students per teacher | 14.1 | 9.0 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 37.0 | 12.2 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 37.9 | 12.0 |
| Language background other than English | 10% | 17% |
| Indigenous students | 2% | 5% |
| Suburb | Cowes 3922 | Cowes 3922 |
| Council area | Bass Coast | Bass Coast |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | www.cowesps.vic.edu.au/ | olsscowes.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Cowes Primary School scores higher on the Success Index (55.0 vs 46.6).
- •Cowes Primary School has the higher ICSEA (1019 vs 995), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Primary School has fewer students per teacher (9.0 vs 14.1).
- •Cowes Primary School is the larger school with 523 students compared with 110.
- •Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Primary School has grown faster over five years (55% vs -4%).
- •Cowes Primary School is a government school while Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Primary 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.
Free academic assessment
Torn between two schools? Start with your child.
Whichever you choose, a free Success Tutoring assessment shows exactly where your child is in English and Maths and how to get ahead before the next school year.
- Personalised learning plan mapped to the Australian Curriculum
- English & Maths from Kindergarten to Year 12
- Flexible memberships, no lock-in contracts
- Your nearest centre: Success Tutoring Springvale
Frequently asked questions
Is Cowes Primary School better than Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Primary School?
On the Success Index, Cowes Primary School ranks higher (55.0 vs 46.6 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 Cowes Primary School and Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Primary School?
About 1.1 km in a straight line, between Cowes and Cowes in Victoria.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Cowes Primary School has 14.1 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Primary School has 9.0.
How do Cowes Primary School and Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Primary School rank in VIC?
Cowes Primary School is 775th of 1,290 and Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Primary School is 948th of 1,290 among primary schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.