Essendon Keilor College vs Penleigh & Essendon Grammar School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Victoria, 1.3 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Essendon Keilor College
Keilor East · Government high school · 7-12
697 students · ICSEA 1004
Penleigh & Essendon Grammar School
Keilor East · Independent combined · Prep-12
2,913 students · ICSEA 1173
| Measure | Essendon Keilor College Keilor East VIC | Penleigh & Essendon Grammar School Keilor East VIC |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 56 Top 50% | 85 Top 5% |
| State rank (type) | #176 of 348 | #24 of 239 |
| National rank (type) | #593 of 1,472 | #41 of 1,259 |
| Sector | Government | Independent |
| Type | Secondary | Combined |
| Year range | 7-12 | Prep-12 |
| Students | 697 | 2,913 |
| Girls / boys | 317 / 380 | 1,441 / 1,472 |
| Foundation intake | – | 150 |
| Year 7 cohort | 94 | 333 |
| Year 12 cohort | 119 | 301 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | 28 | 34 |
| VCE study scores 40+ | 2.5% | 16.9% |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +3% | +7% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1004 | 1173 |
| ICSEA percentile | 49th | 98th |
| Top SEA quarter | 10% | 67% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 35% | 1% |
| Students per teacher | 11.2 | 10.2 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 62.5 | 286.9 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 28.7 | 136.9 |
| Language background other than English | 37% | 33% |
| Indigenous students | 3% | 0% |
| Suburb | Keilor East 3033 | Keilor East 3033 |
| Council area | Moonee Valley | Moonee Valley |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.ekc.vic.edu.au | www.pegs.vic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Penleigh & Essendon Grammar School scores higher on the Success Index (85.3 vs 56.4).
- •Penleigh & Essendon Grammar School has the higher ICSEA (1173 vs 1004), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Penleigh & Essendon Grammar School has fewer students per teacher (10.2 vs 11.2).
- •Penleigh & Essendon Grammar School is the larger school with 2,913 students compared with 697.
- •Essendon Keilor College is a government school while Penleigh & Essendon Grammar 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 Essendon Keilor College better than Penleigh & Essendon Grammar School?
On the Success Index, Penleigh & Essendon Grammar School ranks higher (85.3 vs 56.4 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 Essendon Keilor College and Penleigh & Essendon Grammar School?
About 1.3 km in a straight line, between Keilor East and Keilor East in Victoria.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Essendon Keilor College has 11.2 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Penleigh & Essendon Grammar School has 10.2.
How do Essendon Keilor College and Penleigh & Essendon Grammar School rank in VIC?
Essendon Keilor College is 176th of 348 and Penleigh & Essendon Grammar School is 24th of 239 among secondary schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.