Merri-bek Primary School vs St Bernard's School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in Victoria, 1.0 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Merri-bek Primary School
Coburg · Government primary · Prep-6
350 students · ICSEA 1112
St Bernard's School
Coburg · Catholic primary · Prep-6
152 students · ICSEA 1121
| Measure | Merri-bek Primary School Coburg VIC | St Bernard's School Coburg VIC |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 75 Top 10% | 79 Top 5% |
| State rank (type) | #255 of 1,290 | #128 of 1,290 |
| National rank (type) | #528 of 4,908 | #227 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | Prep-6 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 350 | 152 |
| Girls / boys | 182 / 168 | 59 / 93 |
| Foundation intake | 48 | 20 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -2% | -18% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1112 | 1121 |
| ICSEA percentile | 87th | 90th |
| Top SEA quarter | 50% | 46% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 12% | 8% |
| Students per teacher | 13.3 | 11.0 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 26.2 | 13.8 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 11.2 | 3.0 |
| Language background other than English | 38% | 10% |
| Indigenous students | 1% | 1% |
| Suburb | Coburg 3058 | Coburg 3058 |
| Council area | Merri-bek | Merri-bek |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | merri-bekps.vic.edu.au/ | www.stbernardscoburg.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Bernard's School scores higher on the Success Index (79.4 vs 75.1).
- •St Bernard's School has the higher ICSEA (1121 vs 1112), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •St Bernard's School has fewer students per teacher (11.0 vs 13.3).
- •Merri-bek Primary School is the larger school with 350 students compared with 152.
- •Merri-bek Primary School has grown faster over five years (-2% vs -18%).
- •Merri-bek Primary School is a government school while St Bernard'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 Merri-bek Primary School better than St Bernard's School?
On the Success Index, St Bernard's School ranks higher (79.4 vs 75.1 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 Merri-bek Primary School and St Bernard's School?
About 1.0 km in a straight line, between Coburg and Coburg in Victoria.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Merri-bek Primary School has 13.3 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Bernard's School has 11.0.
How do Merri-bek Primary School and St Bernard's School rank in VIC?
Merri-bek Primary School is 255th of 1,290 and St Bernard's School is 128th of 1,290 among primary schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.