Dandenong Valley Special Developmental School vs Foundation Learning Centre
A head-to-head comparison of two special schools in Victoria, 2.3 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Dandenong Valley Special Developmental School
Narre Warren · Government special · U
201 students · ICSEA 990
Foundation Learning Centre
Narre Warren · Independent special · 11-12
155 students · ICSEA 968
| Measure | Dandenong Valley Special Developmental School Narre Warren VIC | Foundation Learning Centre Narre Warren VIC |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | – Not rated | – Not rated |
| State rank (type) | – | – |
| National rank (type) | – | – |
| Sector | Government | Independent |
| Type | Special | Special |
| Year range | U | 11-12 |
| Students | 201 | 155 |
| Girls / boys | 53 / 148 | 118 / 37 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | 53 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -14% | – |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 990 | 968 |
| ICSEA percentile | 42th | 32th |
| Top SEA quarter | 11% | 7% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 40% | 48% |
| Students per teacher | 5.6 | 11.9 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 31.2 | 13.0 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 54.5 | 16.7 |
| Language background other than English | 59% | 3% |
| Indigenous students | 1% | 6% |
| Suburb | Narre Warren 3805 | Narre Warren 3805 |
| Council area | Casey | Casey |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.dandyvalley.vic.edu.au | www.foundationcollege.vic.edu.au/ |
The verdict
- •Dandenong Valley Special Developmental School has the higher ICSEA (990 vs 968), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Dandenong Valley Special Developmental School has fewer students per teacher (5.6 vs 11.9).
- •Dandenong Valley Special Developmental School is the larger school with 201 students compared with 155.
- •Dandenong Valley Special Developmental School is a government school while Foundation Learning Centre 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 Dandenong Valley Special Developmental School better than Foundation Learning Centre?
The two schools are very close on the Success Index. Differences in sector, size, year range and distance from home will matter more than the score.
How far apart are Dandenong Valley Special Developmental School and Foundation Learning Centre?
About 2.3 km in a straight line, between Narre Warren and Narre Warren in Victoria.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Dandenong Valley Special Developmental School has 5.6 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Foundation Learning Centre has 11.9.
How do Dandenong Valley Special Developmental School and Foundation Learning Centre rank in VIC?
Dandenong Valley Special Developmental School is unranked and Foundation Learning Centre is unranked among special schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.