Glenroy Specialist School vs Penola Catholic College
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Victoria, 1.2 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Glenroy Specialist School
Glenroy · Government special · U
167 students · ICSEA 987
Penola Catholic College
Broadmeadows · Catholic high school · 7-12
1,373 students · ICSEA 1000
| Measure | Glenroy Specialist School Glenroy VIC | Penola Catholic College Broadmeadows VIC |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | – Not rated | 61 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | – | #154 of 348 |
| National rank (type) | – | #498 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Special | Secondary |
| Year range | U | 7-12 |
| Students | 167 | 1,373 |
| Girls / boys | 72 / 95 | 612 / 761 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | – | 226 |
| Year 12 cohort | – | 239 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | 27 |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | 1.5% |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +24% | -6% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 987 | 1000 |
| ICSEA percentile | 41th | 47th |
| Top SEA quarter | 13% | 12% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 44% | 35% |
| Students per teacher | 4.8 | 9.0 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 34.2 | 152.6 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 108.2 | 75.4 |
| Language background other than English | 55% | 39% |
| Indigenous students | 2% | 1% |
| Suburb | Glenroy 3046 | Broadmeadows 3047 |
| Council area | Merri-bek | Hume |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.glenroyss.vic.edu.au | www.penola.vic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Penola Catholic College has the higher ICSEA (1000 vs 987), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Glenroy Specialist School has fewer students per teacher (4.8 vs 9.0).
- •Penola Catholic College is the larger school with 1,373 students compared with 167.
- •Glenroy Specialist School has grown faster over five years (24% vs -6%).
- •Glenroy Specialist School is a government school while Penola Catholic College 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 Glenroy Specialist School better than Penola Catholic 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 Glenroy Specialist School and Penola Catholic College?
About 1.2 km in a straight line, between Glenroy and Broadmeadows in Victoria.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Glenroy Specialist School has 4.8 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Penola Catholic College has 9.0.
How do Glenroy Specialist School and Penola Catholic College rank in VIC?
Glenroy Specialist School is unranked and Penola Catholic College is 154th of 348 among special schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.