Cowwarr Primary School vs St Michael's School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in Victoria, 8.3 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Cowwarr Primary School
Cowwarr · Government primary · Prep-6
24 students · ICSEA 917
St Michael's School
Heyfield · Catholic primary · Prep-6
61 students · ICSEA 1010
| Measure | Cowwarr Primary School Cowwarr VIC | St Michael's School Heyfield VIC |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 24 Lower 50% | 48 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | – | – |
| National rank (type) | – | – |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | Prep-6 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 24 | 61 |
| Girls / boys | 9 / 15 | 31 / 30 |
| Foundation intake | 4 | 10 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -14% | +45% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 917 | 1010 |
| ICSEA percentile | 14th | 51th |
| Top SEA quarter | 0% | 3% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 66% | 24% |
| Students per teacher | 8.9 | 9.5 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 2.7 | 6.4 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 4.4 | 3.0 |
| Language background other than English | 6% | 5% |
| Indigenous students | 8% | 5% |
| Suburb | Cowwarr 3857 | Heyfield 3858 |
| Council area | Wellington | Wellington |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | www.cowwarrps.vic.edu.au | www.stmheyfield.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Michael's School scores higher on the Success Index (47.7 vs 24.4).
- •St Michael's School has the higher ICSEA (1010 vs 917), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Cowwarr Primary School has fewer students per teacher (8.9 vs 9.5).
- •St Michael's School is the larger school with 61 students compared with 24.
- •St Michael's School has grown faster over five years (45% vs -14%).
- •Cowwarr Primary School is a government school while St Michael'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 Cowwarr Primary School better than St Michael's School?
On the Success Index, St Michael's School ranks higher (47.7 vs 24.4 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 Cowwarr Primary School and St Michael's School?
About 8.3 km in a straight line, between Cowwarr and Heyfield in Victoria.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Cowwarr Primary School has 8.9 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Michael's School has 9.5.
How do Cowwarr Primary School and St Michael's School rank in VIC?
Cowwarr Primary School is unranked and St Michael's School is unranked among primary schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.