Magpie Primary School vs St James' School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in Victoria, 1.4 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Magpie Primary School
Magpie · Government primary · Prep-6
103 students · ICSEA 923
St James' School
Sebastopol · Catholic primary · Prep-6
166 students · ICSEA 1034
| Measure | Magpie Primary School Magpie VIC | St James' School Sebastopol VIC |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 32 Lower 50% | 56 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #1204 of 1,290 | #759 of 1,290 |
| National rank (type) | #3983 of 4,908 | #2269 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | Prep-6 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 103 | 166 |
| Girls / boys | 45 / 58 | 85 / 81 |
| Foundation intake | 15 | 35 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +4% | -8% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 923 | 1034 |
| ICSEA percentile | 16th | 61th |
| Top SEA quarter | 5% | 17% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 57% | 26% |
| Students per teacher | 11.0 | 13.8 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 9.4 | 12.0 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 10.0 | 7.0 |
| Language background other than English | 2% | 7% |
| Indigenous students | 20% | 5% |
| Suburb | Magpie 3352 | Sebastopol 3356 |
| Council area | Ballarat | Ballarat |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | www.magpieps.vic.edu.au | www.sjsebastopol.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St James' School scores higher on the Success Index (55.8 vs 32.0).
- •St James' School has the higher ICSEA (1034 vs 923), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Magpie Primary School has fewer students per teacher (11.0 vs 13.8).
- •St James' School is the larger school with 166 students compared with 103.
- •Magpie Primary School has grown faster over five years (4% vs -8%).
- •Magpie Primary School is a government school while St James' 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 Magpie Primary School better than St James' School?
On the Success Index, St James' School ranks higher (55.8 vs 32.0 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 Magpie Primary School and St James' School?
About 1.4 km in a straight line, between Magpie and Sebastopol in Victoria.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Magpie Primary School has 11.0 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St James' School has 13.8.
How do Magpie Primary School and St James' School rank in VIC?
Magpie Primary School is 1204th of 1,290 and St James' School is 759th of 1,290 among primary schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.