Gardenvale Primary School vs St Finbar's School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in Victoria, 1.3 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Gardenvale Primary School
Brighton East · Government primary · Prep-6
617 students · ICSEA 1164
St Finbar's School
Brighton East · Catholic primary · Prep-6
331 students · ICSEA 1136
| Measure | Gardenvale Primary School Brighton East VIC | St Finbar's School Brighton East VIC |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 77 Top 10% | 77 Top 10% |
| State rank (type) | #212 of 1,290 | #208 of 1,290 |
| National rank (type) | #425 of 4,908 | #419 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | Prep-6 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 617 | 331 |
| Girls / boys | 315 / 302 | 161 / 170 |
| Foundation intake | 95 | 46 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -4% | -3% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1164 | 1136 |
| ICSEA percentile | 97th | 92th |
| Top SEA quarter | 67% | 54% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 1% | 1% |
| Students per teacher | 17.2 | 14.7 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 35.9 | 22.5 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 13.6 | 10.1 |
| Language background other than English | 26% | 35% |
| Indigenous students | 0% | 2% |
| Suburb | Brighton East 3187 | Brighton East 3187 |
| Council area | Bayside (Vic.) | Bayside (Vic.) |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.gardenvaleps.vic.edu.au | www.sfbrightoneast.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Both schools have almost identical Success Index scores (76.6 vs 76.7).
- •Gardenvale Primary School has the higher ICSEA (1164 vs 1136), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •St Finbar's School has fewer students per teacher (14.7 vs 17.2).
- •Gardenvale Primary School is the larger school with 617 students compared with 331.
- •Gardenvale Primary School is a government school while St Finbar'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 Gardenvale Primary School better than St Finbar's School?
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 Gardenvale Primary School and St Finbar's School?
About 1.3 km in a straight line, between Brighton East and Brighton East in Victoria.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Gardenvale Primary School has 17.2 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Finbar's School has 14.7.
How do Gardenvale Primary School and St Finbar's School rank in VIC?
Gardenvale Primary School is 212th of 1,290 and St Finbar's School is 208th of 1,290 among primary schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.