Cowes Primary School vs Phillip Island Village School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in Victoria, 6.7 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
Phillip Island Village School
Ventnor · Independent primary · Prep-6
45 students · ICSEA 1071
| Measure | Cowes Primary School Cowes VIC | Phillip Island Village School Ventnor VIC |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 55 Top 50% | 68 Top 25% |
| State rank (type) | #775 of 1,290 | – |
| National rank (type) | #2322 of 4,908 | – |
| Sector | Government | Independent |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | Prep-6 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 523 | 45 |
| Girls / boys | 258 / 265 | 24 / 21 |
| Foundation intake | 54 | 2 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -4% | +2% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1019 | 1071 |
| ICSEA percentile | 55th | 76th |
| Top SEA quarter | 16% | 27% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 28% | 10% |
| Students per teacher | 14.1 | 8.3 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 37.0 | 5.4 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 37.9 | 4.6 |
| Language background other than English | 10% | 5% |
| Indigenous students | 2% | 0% |
| Suburb | Cowes 3922 | Ventnor 3922 |
| Council area | Bass Coast | Bass Coast |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | www.cowesps.vic.edu.au/ | www.pivillageschool.org.au/ |
The verdict
- •Phillip Island Village School scores higher on the Success Index (68.1 vs 55.0).
- •Phillip Island Village School has the higher ICSEA (1071 vs 1019), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Phillip Island Village School has fewer students per teacher (8.3 vs 14.1).
- •Cowes Primary School is the larger school with 523 students compared with 45.
- •Phillip Island Village School has grown faster over five years (2% vs -4%).
- •Cowes Primary School is a government school while Phillip Island Village School is an independent 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 Cowes Primary School better than Phillip Island Village School?
On the Success Index, Phillip Island Village School ranks higher (68.1 vs 55.0 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 Phillip Island Village School?
About 6.7 km in a straight line, between Cowes and Ventnor in Victoria.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Cowes Primary School has 14.1 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Phillip Island Village School has 8.3.
How do Cowes Primary School and Phillip Island Village School rank in VIC?
Cowes Primary School is 775th of 1,290 and Phillip Island Village School is unranked among primary schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.