Fintona Girls' School vs Methodist Ladies' College
A head-to-head comparison of two combined schools in Victoria, 3.7 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Fintona Girls' School
Balwyn · Independent combined · Prep-12
533 students · ICSEA 1191
Methodist Ladies' College
Kew · Independent combined · Prep-12
2,169 students · ICSEA 1190
| Measure | Fintona Girls' School Balwyn VIC | Methodist Ladies' College Kew VIC |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 90 Top 5% | 89 Top 5% |
| State rank (type) | #3 of 239 | #6 of 239 |
| National rank (type) | #5 of 1,259 | #11 of 1,259 |
| Sector | Independent | Independent |
| Type | Combined | Combined |
| Year range | Prep-12 | Prep-12 |
| Students | 533 | 2,169 |
| Girls / boys | 533 / – | 2,169 / – |
| Foundation intake | 38 | 41 |
| Year 7 cohort | 61 | 275 |
| Year 12 cohort | 51 | 300 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | 35 | 35 |
| VCE study scores 40+ | 26.8% | 23.2% |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +19% | +7% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1191 | 1190 |
| ICSEA percentile | 99th | 99th |
| Top SEA quarter | 75% | 76% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 1% | 1% |
| Students per teacher | 9.5 | 9.1 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 55.9 | 239.6 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 30.0 | 182.0 |
| Language background other than English | 58% | 46% |
| Indigenous students | 0% | 1% |
| Suburb | Balwyn 3103 | Kew 3101 |
| Council area | Boroondara | Boroondara |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.fintona.vic.edu.au | www.mlc.vic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Both schools have almost identical Success Index scores (90.0 vs 89.2).
- •Fintona Girls' School has the higher ICSEA (1191 vs 1190), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Methodist Ladies' College is the larger school with 2,169 students compared with 533.
- •Fintona Girls' School has grown faster over five years (19% vs 7%).
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 Fintona Girls' School better than Methodist Ladies' College?
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 Fintona Girls' School and Methodist Ladies' College?
About 3.7 km in a straight line, between Balwyn and Kew in Victoria.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Fintona Girls' School has 9.5 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Methodist Ladies' College has 9.1.
How do Fintona Girls' School and Methodist Ladies' College rank in VIC?
Fintona Girls' School is 3rd of 239 and Methodist Ladies' College is 6th of 239 among combined schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.