Sacred Heart School vs Thornbury Primary School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in Victoria, 1.3 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Sacred Heart School
Preston · Catholic primary · Prep-6
117 students · ICSEA 1090
Thornbury Primary School
Thornbury · Government primary · Prep-6
308 students · ICSEA 1093
| Measure | Sacred Heart School Preston VIC | Thornbury Primary School Thornbury VIC |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 74 Top 25% | 74 Top 25% |
| State rank (type) | #301 of 1,290 | #303 of 1,290 |
| National rank (type) | #661 of 4,908 | #665 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Catholic | Government |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | Prep-6 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 117 | 308 |
| Girls / boys | 59 / 58 | 148 / 160 |
| Foundation intake | 21 | 39 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +6% | -19% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1090 | 1093 |
| ICSEA percentile | 81th | 82th |
| Top SEA quarter | 37% | 47% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 12% | 8% |
| Students per teacher | 12.8 | 13.9 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 9.1 | 22.2 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 6.1 | 8.1 |
| Language background other than English | 80% | 16% |
| Indigenous students | 0% | 11% |
| Suburb | Preston 3072 | Thornbury 3071 |
| Council area | Darebin | Darebin |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.shpreston.catholic.edu.au | www.thornburyps.vic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Both schools have almost identical Success Index scores (73.7 vs 73.7).
- •Thornbury Primary School has the higher ICSEA (1093 vs 1090), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Sacred Heart School has fewer students per teacher (12.8 vs 13.9).
- •Thornbury Primary School is the larger school with 308 students compared with 117.
- •Sacred Heart School has grown faster over five years (6% vs -19%).
- •Sacred Heart School is a catholic school while Thornbury Primary School is a government 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 Sacred Heart School better than Thornbury 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 Sacred Heart School and Thornbury Primary School?
About 1.3 km in a straight line, between Preston and Thornbury in Victoria.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Sacred Heart School has 12.8 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Thornbury Primary School has 13.9.
How do Sacred Heart School and Thornbury Primary School rank in VIC?
Sacred Heart School is 301st of 1,290 and Thornbury Primary School is 303rd of 1,290 among primary schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.