Our Lady Help of Christians School vs St Joseph's School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in Victoria, 14 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Our Lady Help of Christians School
Eltham · Catholic primary · Prep-6
79 students · ICSEA 1094
St Joseph's School
Mernda · Catholic primary · Prep-6
497 students · ICSEA 1094
| Measure | Our Lady Help of Christians School Eltham VIC | St Joseph's School Mernda VIC |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 70 Top 25% | 73 Top 25% |
| State rank (type) | – | #316 of 1,290 |
| National rank (type) | – | #708 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Catholic | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | Prep-6 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 79 | 497 |
| Girls / boys | 45 / 34 | 229 / 268 |
| Foundation intake | 10 | 78 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -56% | +37% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1094 | 1094 |
| ICSEA percentile | 83th | 82th |
| Top SEA quarter | 34% | 35% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 6% | 6% |
| Students per teacher | 9.1 | 15.5 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 8.7 | 32.0 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 5.2 | 18.7 |
| Language background other than English | 10% | 76% |
| Indigenous students | 0% | 0% |
| Suburb | Eltham 3095 | Mernda 3754 |
| Council area | Nillumbik | Whittlesea |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.olhceltham.catholic.edu.au | www.stjosephsschoolmernda.org |
The verdict
- •St Joseph's School scores higher on the Success Index (73.3 vs 70.3).
- •Our Lady Help of Christians School has fewer students per teacher (9.1 vs 15.5).
- •St Joseph's School is the larger school with 497 students compared with 79.
- •St Joseph's School has grown faster over five years (37% vs -56%).
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 Our Lady Help of Christians School better than St Joseph's School?
On the Success Index, St Joseph's School ranks higher (73.3 vs 70.3 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 Our Lady Help of Christians School and St Joseph's School?
About 14 km in a straight line, between Eltham and Mernda in Victoria.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Our Lady Help of Christians School has 9.1 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Joseph's School has 15.5.
How do Our Lady Help of Christians School and St Joseph's School rank in VIC?
Our Lady Help of Christians School is unranked and St Joseph's School is 316th of 1,290 among primary schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.