Hillcrest Primary School vs St Columba's School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in Western Australia, 1.6 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Hillcrest Primary School
Bayswater · Government primary · K-6
496 students · ICSEA 1066
St Columba's School
Bayswater · Catholic primary · PP-6
414 students · ICSEA 1125
| Measure | Hillcrest Primary School Bayswater WA | St Columba's School Bayswater WA |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 69 Top 25% | 68 Top 25% |
| State rank (type) | #94 of 583 | #102 of 583 |
| National rank (type) | #1103 of 4,908 | #1177 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | K-6 | PP-6 |
| Students | 496 | 414 |
| Girls / boys | 227 / 269 | 204 / 210 |
| Foundation intake | 71 | 60 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +16% | +4% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1066 | 1125 |
| ICSEA percentile | 74th | 90th |
| Top SEA quarter | 32% | 50% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 15% | 4% |
| Students per teacher | 16.3 | 21.1 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 29.0 | 19.6 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 16.0 | 16.7 |
| Language background other than English | 37% | 5% |
| Indigenous students | 5% | 2% |
| Suburb | Bayswater 6053 | Bayswater 6053 |
| Council area | Bayswater | Bayswater |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.hillcrestps.wa.edu.au/ | www.stcolsbays.wa.edu.au/ |
The verdict
- •Both schools have almost identical Success Index scores (69.0 vs 68.3).
- •St Columba's School has the higher ICSEA (1125 vs 1066), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Hillcrest Primary School has fewer students per teacher (16.3 vs 21.1).
- •Hillcrest Primary School is the larger school with 496 students compared with 414.
- •Hillcrest Primary School has grown faster over five years (16% vs 4%).
- •Hillcrest Primary School is a government school while St Columba'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 Hillcrest Primary School better than St Columba'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 Hillcrest Primary School and St Columba's School?
About 1.6 km in a straight line, between Bayswater and Bayswater in Western Australia.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Hillcrest Primary School has 16.3 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Columba's School has 21.1.
How do Hillcrest Primary School and St Columba's School rank in WA?
Hillcrest Primary School is 94th of 583 and St Columba's School is 102nd of 583 among primary schools in Western Australia on the 2025 Success Index.