Harkaway Primary School vs St Michael's School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in Victoria, 3.7 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Harkaway Primary School
Harkaway · Government primary · Prep-6
106 students · ICSEA 1026
St Michael's School
Berwick · Catholic primary · Prep-6
441 students · ICSEA 1084
| Measure | Harkaway Primary School Harkaway VIC | St Michael's School Berwick VIC |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 53 Top 50% | 67 Top 25% |
| State rank (type) | #826 of 1,290 | #477 of 1,290 |
| National rank (type) | #2511 of 4,908 | #1289 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | Prep-6 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 106 | 441 |
| Girls / boys | 51 / 55 | 199 / 242 |
| Foundation intake | 19 | 61 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -29% | -4% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1026 | 1084 |
| ICSEA percentile | 58th | 80th |
| Top SEA quarter | 13% | 28% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 26% | 7% |
| Students per teacher | 12.6 | 15.3 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 8.4 | 28.8 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 4.4 | 10.7 |
| Language background other than English | 8% | 2% |
| Indigenous students | 0% | 0% |
| Suburb | Harkaway 3806 | Berwick 3806 |
| Council area | Casey | Casey |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.harkawayps.vic.edu.au | www.stmberwick.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Michael's School scores higher on the Success Index (67.0 vs 52.7).
- •St Michael's School has the higher ICSEA (1084 vs 1026), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Harkaway Primary School has fewer students per teacher (12.6 vs 15.3).
- •St Michael's School is the larger school with 441 students compared with 106.
- •St Michael's School has grown faster over five years (-4% vs -29%).
- •Harkaway Primary School is a government school while St Michael'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 Harkaway Primary School better than St Michael's School?
On the Success Index, St Michael's School ranks higher (67.0 vs 52.7 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 Harkaway Primary School and St Michael's School?
About 3.7 km in a straight line, between Harkaway and Berwick in Victoria.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Harkaway Primary School has 12.6 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Michael's School has 15.3.
How do Harkaway Primary School and St Michael's School rank in VIC?
Harkaway Primary School is 826th of 1,290 and St Michael's School is 477th of 1,290 among primary schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.