Merri River School vs Warrnambool Primary School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Victoria, 2.6 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Merri River School
Warrnambool · Government special · U
189 students · ICSEA 921
Warrnambool Primary School
Warrnambool · Government primary · Prep-6
370 students · ICSEA 963
| Measure | Merri River School Warrnambool VIC | Warrnambool Primary School Warrnambool VIC |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | – Not rated | 34 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | – | #1177 of 1,290 |
| National rank (type) | – | #3843 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Special | Primary |
| Year range | U | Prep-6 |
| Students | 189 | 370 |
| Girls / boys | 63 / 126 | 201 / 169 |
| Foundation intake | – | 43 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +11% | -19% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 921 | 963 |
| ICSEA percentile | 15th | 30th |
| Top SEA quarter | 10% | 9% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 58% | 45% |
| Students per teacher | 5.2 | 13.5 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 35.9 | 27.4 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 38.7 | 7.6 |
| Language background other than English | 3% | 14% |
| Indigenous students | 16% | 12% |
| Suburb | Warrnambool 3280 | Warrnambool 3280 |
| Council area | Warrnambool | Warrnambool |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | merrirs.vic.edu.au/ | www.warrnamboolps.vic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Warrnambool Primary School has the higher ICSEA (963 vs 921), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Merri River School has fewer students per teacher (5.2 vs 13.5).
- •Warrnambool Primary School is the larger school with 370 students compared with 189.
- •Merri River School has grown faster over five years (11% vs -19%).
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 River School better than Warrnambool Primary School?
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 Merri River School and Warrnambool Primary School?
About 2.6 km in a straight line, between Warrnambool and Warrnambool in Victoria.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Merri River School has 5.2 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Warrnambool Primary School has 13.5.
How do Merri River School and Warrnambool Primary School rank in VIC?
Merri River School is unranked and Warrnambool Primary School is 1177th of 1,290 among special schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.