Essendon Primary School vs St Columba's College
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Victoria, 749 m apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Essendon Primary School
Essendon · Government primary · Prep-6
387 students · ICSEA 1137
St Columba's College
Essendon · Catholic high school · 7-12
1,047 students · ICSEA 1107
| Measure | Essendon Primary School Essendon VIC | St Columba's College Essendon VIC |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 79 Top 5% | 74 Top 25% |
| State rank (type) | #133 of 1,290 | #77 of 348 |
| National rank (type) | #239 of 4,908 | #183 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Secondary |
| Year range | Prep-6 | 7-12 |
| Students | 387 | 1,047 |
| Girls / boys | 187 / 200 | 1,047 / 0 |
| Foundation intake | 50 | – |
| Year 7 cohort | – | 172 |
| Year 12 cohort | – | 172 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | 32 |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | 8.4% |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -23% | +1% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1137 | 1107 |
| ICSEA percentile | 93th | 86th |
| Top SEA quarter | 58% | 41% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 4% | 6% |
| Students per teacher | 13.3 | 13.4 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 29.2 | 78.3 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 16.1 | 47.6 |
| Language background other than English | 51% | 21% |
| Indigenous students | 1% | 0% |
| Suburb | Essendon 3040 | Essendon 3040 |
| Council area | Moonee Valley | Moonee Valley |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.essendonps.vic.edu.au | www.columba.vic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Essendon Primary School scores higher on the Success Index (79.2 vs 74.2).
- •Essendon Primary School has the higher ICSEA (1137 vs 1107), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •St Columba's College is the larger school with 1,047 students compared with 387.
- •St Columba's College has grown faster over five years (1% vs -23%).
- •Essendon Primary School is a government school while St Columba'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 Primary School better than St Columba's College?
On the Success Index, Essendon Primary School ranks higher (79.2 vs 74.2 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 Primary School and St Columba's College?
About 749 m in a straight line, between Essendon and Essendon in Victoria.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Essendon Primary School has 13.3 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Columba's College has 13.4.
How do Essendon Primary School and St Columba's College rank in VIC?
Essendon Primary School is 133rd of 1,290 and St Columba's College is 77th of 348 among primary schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.