Spensley Street Primary School vs St Joseph's School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in Victoria, 1.5 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Spensley Street Primary School
Clifton Hill · Government primary · Prep-6
261 students · ICSEA 1170
St Joseph's School
Northcote · Catholic primary · Prep-6
190 students · ICSEA 1110
| Measure | Spensley Street Primary School Clifton Hill VIC | St Joseph's School Northcote VIC |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 84 Top 5% | 81 Top 5% |
| State rank (type) | #28 of 1,290 | #88 of 1,290 |
| National rank (type) | #46 of 4,908 | #147 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | Prep-6 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 261 | 190 |
| Girls / boys | 132 / 129 | 89 / 101 |
| Foundation intake | 26 | 31 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -29% | +44% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1170 | 1110 |
| ICSEA percentile | 98th | 87th |
| Top SEA quarter | 71% | 44% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 1% | 6% |
| Students per teacher | 11.7 | 11.0 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 22.3 | 17.2 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 9.7 | 6.0 |
| Language background other than English | 12% | 18% |
| Indigenous students | 1% | 0% |
| Suburb | Clifton Hill 3068 | Northcote 3070 |
| Council area | Yarra | Darebin |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.ssps.vic.edu.au | www.sjnorthcote.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Spensley Street Primary School scores higher on the Success Index (84.3 vs 81.1).
- •Spensley Street Primary School has the higher ICSEA (1170 vs 1110), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •St Joseph's School has fewer students per teacher (11.0 vs 11.7).
- •Spensley Street Primary School is the larger school with 261 students compared with 190.
- •St Joseph's School has grown faster over five years (44% vs -29%).
- •Spensley Street Primary School is a government school while St Joseph's 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.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Spensley Street Primary School better than St Joseph's School?
On the Success Index, Spensley Street Primary School ranks higher (84.3 vs 81.1 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 Spensley Street Primary School and St Joseph's School?
About 1.5 km in a straight line, between Clifton Hill and Northcote in Victoria.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Spensley Street Primary School has 11.7 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Joseph's School has 11.0.
How do Spensley Street Primary School and St Joseph's School rank in VIC?
Spensley Street Primary School is 28th of 1,290 and St Joseph's School is 88th of 1,290 among primary schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.