Essex Heights Primary School vs St Scholastica's School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in Victoria, 1.5 km 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
St Scholastica's School
Bennettswood · Catholic primary · Prep-6
108 students · ICSEA 1067
| Measure | Essex Heights Primary School Mount Waverley VIC | St Scholastica's School Bennettswood VIC |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 83 Top 5% | 69 Top 25% |
| State rank (type) | #52 of 1,290 | #442 of 1,290 |
| National rank (type) | #82 of 4,908 | #1114 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | Prep-6 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 617 | 108 |
| Girls / boys | 302 / 315 | 41 / 67 |
| Foundation intake | 88 | 21 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +9% | -8% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1150 | 1067 |
| ICSEA percentile | 95th | 74th |
| Top SEA quarter | 59% | 29% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 3% | 16% |
| Students per teacher | 14.3 | 9.6 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 43.2 | 11.3 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 16.4 | 4.5 |
| Language background other than English | 77% | 53% |
| Indigenous students | 0% | 0% |
| Suburb | Mount Waverley 3149 | Bennettswood 3125 |
| Council area | Monash | Whitehorse |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.essexheightsps.vic.edu.au/ | www.ssbennettswood.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Essex Heights Primary School scores higher on the Success Index (83.0 vs 69.0).
- •Essex Heights Primary School has the higher ICSEA (1150 vs 1067), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •St Scholastica's School has fewer students per teacher (9.6 vs 14.3).
- •Essex Heights Primary School is the larger school with 617 students compared with 108.
- •Essex Heights Primary School has grown faster over five years (9% vs -8%).
- •Essex Heights Primary School is a government school while St Scholastica'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 Essex Heights Primary School better than St Scholastica's School?
On the Success Index, Essex Heights Primary School ranks higher (83.0 vs 69.0 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 Essex Heights Primary School and St Scholastica's School?
About 1.5 km in a straight line, between Mount Waverley and Bennettswood in Victoria.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Essex Heights Primary School has 14.3 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Scholastica's School has 9.6.
How do Essex Heights Primary School and St Scholastica's School rank in VIC?
Essex Heights Primary School is 52nd of 1,290 and St Scholastica's School is 442nd of 1,290 among primary schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.