Essex Heights Primary School vs Frank Dando Sports Academy
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Victoria, 694 m apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Essex Heights Primary School
Mount Waverley · Government primary · Prep-6
617 students · ICSEA 1150
Frank Dando Sports Academy
Ashwood · Independent special · 6-10
36 students · ICSEA 1023
| Measure | Essex Heights Primary School Mount Waverley VIC | Frank Dando Sports Academy Ashwood VIC |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 83 Top 5% | – Not rated |
| State rank (type) | #52 of 1,290 | – |
| National rank (type) | #82 of 4,908 | – |
| Sector | Government | Independent |
| Type | Primary | Special |
| Year range | Prep-6 | 6-10 |
| Students | 617 | 36 |
| Girls / boys | 302 / 315 | 0 / 36 |
| Foundation intake | 88 | – |
| Year 7 cohort | – | 6 |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +9% | +33% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1150 | 1023 |
| ICSEA percentile | 95th | 57th |
| Top SEA quarter | 59% | 11% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 3% | 28% |
| Students per teacher | 14.3 | 7.5 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 43.2 | 4.8 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 16.4 | 4.4 |
| Language background other than English | 77% | 23% |
| Indigenous students | 0% | 0% |
| Suburb | Mount Waverley 3149 | Ashwood 3147 |
| Council area | Monash | Monash |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.essexheightsps.vic.edu.au/ | www.fdsa.vic.edu.au/ |
The verdict
- •Essex Heights Primary School has the higher ICSEA (1150 vs 1023), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Frank Dando Sports Academy has fewer students per teacher (7.5 vs 14.3).
- •Essex Heights Primary School is the larger school with 617 students compared with 36.
- •Frank Dando Sports Academy has grown faster over five years (33% vs 9%).
- •Essex Heights Primary School is a government school while Frank Dando Sports Academy 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 Essex Heights Primary School better than Frank Dando Sports Academy?
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 Essex Heights Primary School and Frank Dando Sports Academy?
About 694 m in a straight line, between Mount Waverley and Ashwood in Victoria.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Essex Heights Primary School has 14.3 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Frank Dando Sports Academy has 7.5.
How do Essex Heights Primary School and Frank Dando Sports Academy rank in VIC?
Essex Heights Primary School is 52nd of 1,290 and Frank Dando Sports Academy is unranked among primary schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.