St James' School vs St Paul's School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in Victoria, 4.7 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
St James' School
Brighton · Catholic primary · Prep-6
146 students · ICSEA 1133
St Paul's School
Bentleigh · Catholic primary · Prep-6
341 students · ICSEA 1134
| Measure | St James' School Brighton VIC | St Paul's School Bentleigh VIC |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 77 Top 10% | 77 Top 10% |
| State rank (type) | #205 of 1,290 | #196 of 1,290 |
| National rank (type) | #410 of 4,908 | #380 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Catholic | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | Prep-6 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 146 | 341 |
| Girls / boys | 104 / 42 | 179 / 162 |
| Foundation intake | 15 | 49 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -27% | -4% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1133 | 1134 |
| ICSEA percentile | 92th | 92th |
| Top SEA quarter | 54% | 55% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 3% | 3% |
| Students per teacher | 11.1 | 15.4 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 13.1 | 22.2 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 5.5 | 5.9 |
| Language background other than English | 44% | 8% |
| Indigenous students | 1% | 0% |
| Suburb | Brighton 3186 | Bentleigh 3204 |
| Council area | Bayside (Vic.) | Glen Eira |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.stjamesbrighton.catholic.edu.au | www.spbentleigh.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Both schools have almost identical Success Index scores (76.8 vs 77.3).
- •St Paul's School has the higher ICSEA (1134 vs 1133), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •St James' School has fewer students per teacher (11.1 vs 15.4).
- •St Paul's School is the larger school with 341 students compared with 146.
- •St Paul's School has grown faster over five years (-4% vs -27%).
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 St James' School better than St Paul's 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 St James' School and St Paul's School?
About 4.7 km in a straight line, between Brighton and Bentleigh in Victoria.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
St James' School has 11.1 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Paul's School has 15.4.
How do St James' School and St Paul's School rank in VIC?
St James' School is 205th of 1,290 and St Paul's School is 196th of 1,290 among primary schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.