Essendon Keilor College vs St Bernard's College
A head-to-head comparison of two secondary schools in Victoria, 1.5 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
St Bernard's College
Essendon · Catholic high school · 7-12
1,567 students · ICSEA 1100
| Measure | Essendon Keilor College Keilor East VIC | St Bernard's College Essendon VIC |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 56 Top 50% | 77 Top 10% |
| State rank (type) | #176 of 348 | #53 of 348 |
| National rank (type) | #593 of 1,472 | #124 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Secondary | Secondary |
| Year range | 7-12 | 7-12 |
| Students | 697 | 1,567 |
| Girls / boys | 317 / 380 | 0 / 1,567 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | 94 | 277 |
| Year 12 cohort | 119 | 247 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | 28 | 31 |
| VCE study scores 40+ | 2.5% | 8.4% |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +3% | +2% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1004 | 1100 |
| ICSEA percentile | 49th | 84th |
| Top SEA quarter | 10% | 38% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 35% | 7% |
| Students per teacher | 11.2 | 12.9 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 62.5 | 121.2 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 28.7 | 59.8 |
| Language background other than English | 37% | 7% |
| Indigenous students | 3% | 0% |
| Suburb | Keilor East 3033 | Essendon 3040 |
| Council area | Moonee Valley | Moonee Valley |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.ekc.vic.edu.au | www.sbc.vic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Bernard's College scores higher on the Success Index (76.6 vs 56.4).
- •St Bernard's College has the higher ICSEA (1100 vs 1004), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Essendon Keilor College has fewer students per teacher (11.2 vs 12.9).
- •St Bernard's College is the larger school with 1,567 students compared with 697.
- •Essendon Keilor College is a government school while St Bernard's College 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 Essendon Keilor College better than St Bernard's College?
On the Success Index, St Bernard's College ranks higher (76.6 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 St Bernard's College?
About 1.5 km in a straight line, between Keilor East and Essendon in Victoria.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Essendon Keilor College has 11.2 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Bernard's College has 12.9.
How do Essendon Keilor College and St Bernard's College rank in VIC?
Essendon Keilor College is 176th of 348 and St Bernard's College is 53rd of 348 among secondary schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.