Darley Primary School vs St Bernard's School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in Victoria, 1.9 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Darley Primary School
Darley · Government primary · Prep-6
505 students · ICSEA 988
St Bernard's School
Bacchus Marsh · Catholic primary · Prep-6
328 students · ICSEA 1035
| Measure | Darley Primary School Darley VIC | St Bernard's School Bacchus Marsh VIC |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 36 Lower 50% | 59 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #1141 of 1,290 | #677 of 1,290 |
| National rank (type) | #3677 of 4,908 | #2002 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | Prep-6 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 505 | 328 |
| Girls / boys | 230 / 275 | 187 / 141 |
| Foundation intake | 59 | 54 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -14% | -2% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 988 | 1035 |
| ICSEA percentile | 41th | 62th |
| Top SEA quarter | 7% | 13% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 37% | 21% |
| Students per teacher | 14.3 | 13.3 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 35.3 | 24.6 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 17.8 | 11.5 |
| Language background other than English | 9% | 14% |
| Indigenous students | 5% | 3% |
| Suburb | Darley 3340 | Bacchus Marsh 3340 |
| Council area | Moorabool | Moorabool |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.darleyprimary.vic.edu.au/ | www.sbbacchusmarsh.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Bernard's School scores higher on the Success Index (59.1 vs 36.4).
- •St Bernard's School has the higher ICSEA (1035 vs 988), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •St Bernard's School has fewer students per teacher (13.3 vs 14.3).
- •Darley Primary School is the larger school with 505 students compared with 328.
- •St Bernard's School has grown faster over five years (-2% vs -14%).
- •Darley Primary School is a government school while St Bernard'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 Darley Primary School better than St Bernard's School?
On the Success Index, St Bernard's School ranks higher (59.1 vs 36.4 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 Darley Primary School and St Bernard's School?
About 1.9 km in a straight line, between Darley and Bacchus Marsh in Victoria.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Darley Primary School has 14.3 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Bernard's School has 13.3.
How do Darley Primary School and St Bernard's School rank in VIC?
Darley Primary School is 1141st of 1,290 and St Bernard's School is 677th of 1,290 among primary schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.