Northern School For Autism vs Our Lady of the Way School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Victoria, 1.7 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Northern School For Autism
Reservoir · Government special · U
525 students · ICSEA 1030
Our Lady of the Way School
Kingsbury · Catholic primary · Prep-6
167 students · ICSEA 1079
| Measure | Northern School For Autism Reservoir VIC | Our Lady of the Way School Kingsbury VIC |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | – Not rated | 73 Top 25% |
| State rank (type) | – | #335 of 1,290 |
| National rank (type) | – | #764 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Special | Primary |
| Year range | U | Prep-6 |
| Students | 525 | 167 |
| Girls / boys | 105 / 420 | 85 / 82 |
| Foundation intake | – | 26 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +35% | -1% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1030 | 1079 |
| ICSEA percentile | 60th | 78th |
| Top SEA quarter | 21% | 35% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 28% | 16% |
| Students per teacher | 5.1 | 13.0 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 101.5 | 12.8 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 158.1 | 5.7 |
| Language background other than English | 48% | 43% |
| Indigenous students | 3% | 0% |
| Suburb | Reservoir 3073 | Kingsbury 3083 |
| Council area | Darebin | Darebin |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.northernautism.vic.edu.au/ | www.olwkingsbury.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Our Lady of the Way School has the higher ICSEA (1079 vs 1030), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Northern School For Autism has fewer students per teacher (5.1 vs 13.0).
- •Northern School For Autism is the larger school with 525 students compared with 167.
- •Northern School For Autism has grown faster over five years (35% vs -1%).
- •Northern School For Autism is a government school while Our Lady of the Way 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.
Free academic assessment
Torn between two schools? Start with your child.
Whichever you choose, a free Success Tutoring assessment shows exactly where your child is in English and Maths and how to get ahead before the next school year.
- Personalised learning plan mapped to the Australian Curriculum
- English & Maths from Kindergarten to Year 12
- Flexible memberships, no lock-in contracts
- Your nearest centre: Success Tutoring Coolaroo
Frequently asked questions
Is Northern School For Autism better than Our Lady of the Way 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 Northern School For Autism and Our Lady of the Way School?
About 1.7 km in a straight line, between Reservoir and Kingsbury in Victoria.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Northern School For Autism has 5.1 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Our Lady of the Way School has 13.0.
How do Northern School For Autism and Our Lady of the Way School rank in VIC?
Northern School For Autism is unranked and Our Lady of the Way School is 335th of 1,290 among special schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.