River Nile School vs Saints College
A head-to-head comparison of two special schools in Victoria, 173 m apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
River Nile School
North Melbourne · Independent special · 11-12
121 students · ICSEA 820
Saints College
North Melbourne · Catholic special · 7-12
1,524 students · ICSEA 935
| Measure | River Nile School North Melbourne VIC | Saints College North Melbourne VIC |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | – Not rated | – Not rated |
| State rank (type) | – | – |
| National rank (type) | – | – |
| Sector | Independent | Catholic |
| Type | Special | Special |
| Year range | 11-12 | 7-12 |
| Students | 121 | 1,524 |
| Girls / boys | 121 / 0 | 788 / 736 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | – | 100 |
| Year 12 cohort | 30 | 292 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +17% | +232% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 820 | 935 |
| ICSEA percentile | 3th | 20th |
| Top SEA quarter | 1% | 8% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 88% | 57% |
| Students per teacher | 8.6 | 15.6 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 14.0 | 97.6 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 24.4 | 168.5 |
| Language background other than English | 99% | 12% |
| Indigenous students | 0% | 13% |
| Suburb | North Melbourne 3051 | North Melbourne 3051 |
| Council area | Melbourne | Melbourne |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.rivernileschool.vic.edu.au/ | www.youthplus.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Saints College has the higher ICSEA (935 vs 820), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •River Nile School has fewer students per teacher (8.6 vs 15.6).
- •Saints College is the larger school with 1,524 students compared with 121.
- •Saints College has grown faster over five years (232% vs 17%).
- •River Nile School is a independent school while Saints College 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 River Nile School better than Saints College?
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 River Nile School and Saints College?
About 173 m in a straight line, between North Melbourne and North Melbourne in Victoria.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
River Nile School has 8.6 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Saints College has 15.6.
How do River Nile School and Saints College rank in VIC?
River Nile School is unranked and Saints College is unranked among special schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.