Freshwater Creek Steiner School vs Surf Coast Secondary College
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Victoria, 6.0 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Freshwater Creek Steiner School
Freshwater Creek · Independent primary · Prep-6
144 students · ICSEA 1094
Surf Coast Secondary College
Torquay · Government high school · 7-12
879 students · ICSEA 1060
| Measure | Freshwater Creek Steiner School Freshwater Creek VIC | Surf Coast Secondary College Torquay VIC |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 75 Top 10% | 65 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #246 of 1,290 | #134 of 348 |
| National rank (type) | #507 of 4,908 | #404 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Independent | Government |
| Type | Primary | Secondary |
| Year range | Prep-6 | 7-12 |
| Students | 144 | 879 |
| Girls / boys | 73 / 71 | 382 / 497 |
| Foundation intake | 24 | – |
| Year 7 cohort | – | 157 |
| Year 12 cohort | – | 130 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | 29 |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | 5.4% |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +13% | -9% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1094 | 1060 |
| ICSEA percentile | 83th | 72th |
| Top SEA quarter | 41% | 24% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 6% | 16% |
| Students per teacher | 10.7 | 13.0 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 13.4 | 67.3 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 11.5 | 27.4 |
| Language background other than English | 15% | 5% |
| Indigenous students | 5% | 1% |
| Suburb | Freshwater Creek 3216 | Torquay 3228 |
| Council area | Surf Coast | Surf Coast |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | www.fwcss.com.au/ | www.surfcoastsecondarycollege.vic.edu.au/ |
The verdict
- •Freshwater Creek Steiner School scores higher on the Success Index (75.3 vs 65.0).
- •Freshwater Creek Steiner School has the higher ICSEA (1094 vs 1060), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Freshwater Creek Steiner School has fewer students per teacher (10.7 vs 13.0).
- •Surf Coast Secondary College is the larger school with 879 students compared with 144.
- •Freshwater Creek Steiner School has grown faster over five years (13% vs -9%).
- •Freshwater Creek Steiner School is a independent school while Surf Coast Secondary College is a government 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 Freshwater Creek Steiner School better than Surf Coast Secondary College?
On the Success Index, Freshwater Creek Steiner School ranks higher (75.3 vs 65.0 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 Freshwater Creek Steiner School and Surf Coast Secondary College?
About 6.0 km in a straight line, between Freshwater Creek and Torquay in Victoria.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Freshwater Creek Steiner School has 10.7 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Surf Coast Secondary College has 13.0.
How do Freshwater Creek Steiner School and Surf Coast Secondary College rank in VIC?
Freshwater Creek Steiner School is 246th of 1,290 and Surf Coast Secondary College is 134th of 348 among primary schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.