Malvern Primary School vs St Joseph's School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in Victoria, 1.6 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Malvern Primary School
Malvern East · Government primary · Prep-6
563 students · ICSEA 1163
St Joseph's School
Malvern · Catholic primary · Prep-6
183 students · ICSEA 1156
| Measure | Malvern Primary School Malvern East VIC | St Joseph's School Malvern VIC |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 81 Top 5% | 84 Top 5% |
| State rank (type) | #92 of 1,290 | #29 of 1,290 |
| National rank (type) | #155 of 4,908 | #47 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | Prep-6 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 563 | 183 |
| Girls / boys | 267 / 296 | 68 / 115 |
| Foundation intake | 92 | 36 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -12% | +16% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1163 | 1156 |
| ICSEA percentile | 97th | 96th |
| Top SEA quarter | 67% | 62% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 1% | 3% |
| Students per teacher | 12.9 | 10.8 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 43.7 | 17.0 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 8.0 | 3.8 |
| Language background other than English | 29% | 10% |
| Indigenous students | 0% | 1% |
| Suburb | Malvern East 3145 | Malvern 3144 |
| Council area | Stonnington | Stonnington |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.malvernps.vic.edu.au | www.sjmalvern.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Joseph's School scores higher on the Success Index (84.3 vs 80.9).
- •Malvern Primary School has the higher ICSEA (1163 vs 1156), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •St Joseph's School has fewer students per teacher (10.8 vs 12.9).
- •Malvern Primary School is the larger school with 563 students compared with 183.
- •St Joseph's School has grown faster over five years (16% vs -12%).
- •Malvern Primary School is a government school while St Joseph'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 Malvern Primary School better than St Joseph's School?
On the Success Index, St Joseph's School ranks higher (84.3 vs 80.9 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 Malvern Primary School and St Joseph's School?
About 1.6 km in a straight line, between Malvern East and Malvern in Victoria.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Malvern Primary School has 12.9 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Joseph's School has 10.8.
How do Malvern Primary School and St Joseph's School rank in VIC?
Malvern Primary School is 92nd of 1,290 and St Joseph's School is 29th of 1,290 among primary schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.