Fairhills Primary School vs St Joseph's Primary School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in Victoria, 1.1 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Fairhills Primary School
Ferntree Gully · Government primary · Prep-6
104 students · ICSEA 1004
St Joseph's Primary School
Boronia · Catholic primary · Prep-6
129 students · ICSEA 1086
| Measure | Fairhills Primary School Ferntree Gully VIC | St Joseph's Primary School Boronia VIC |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 51 Top 50% | 72 Top 25% |
| State rank (type) | #863 of 1,290 | #361 of 1,290 |
| National rank (type) | #2643 of 4,908 | #853 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | Prep-6 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 104 | 129 |
| Girls / boys | 37 / 67 | 51 / 78 |
| Foundation intake | 9 | 15 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -29% | -23% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1004 | 1086 |
| ICSEA percentile | 49th | 81th |
| Top SEA quarter | 12% | 34% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 34% | 11% |
| Students per teacher | 11.0 | 10.9 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 9.4 | 11.8 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 5.0 | 6.7 |
| Language background other than English | 12% | 26% |
| Indigenous students | 2% | 3% |
| Suburb | Ferntree Gully 3156 | Boronia 3155 |
| Council area | Knox | Knox |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.fairhillsps.vic.edu.au | www.sjboronia.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Joseph's Primary School scores higher on the Success Index (71.7 vs 50.7).
- •St Joseph's Primary School has the higher ICSEA (1086 vs 1004), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •St Joseph's Primary School is the larger school with 129 students compared with 104.
- •St Joseph's Primary School has grown faster over five years (-23% vs -29%).
- •Fairhills Primary School is a government school while St Joseph's Primary 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 Fairhills Primary School better than St Joseph's Primary School?
On the Success Index, St Joseph's Primary School ranks higher (71.7 vs 50.7 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 Fairhills Primary School and St Joseph's Primary School?
About 1.1 km in a straight line, between Ferntree Gully and Boronia in Victoria.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Fairhills Primary School has 11.0 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Joseph's Primary School has 10.9.
How do Fairhills Primary School and St Joseph's Primary School rank in VIC?
Fairhills Primary School is 863rd of 1,290 and St Joseph's Primary School is 361st of 1,290 among primary schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.