Fastest growing schools in Melbourne’s north west revealed
A special Leader analysis has revealed which schools across Melbourne’s northwest have grown at the fastest rate from 2013. Find out the schools in your area with our interactive map.
Schools Hub
Don't miss out on the headlines from Schools Hub. Followed categories will be added to My News.
An analysis of Federal Government data has revealed the northwestern Melbourne region schools where student numbers have risen the most in the past five years.
Between 2013 and 2018, enrolment at Taradale Primary School has increased by 851.4 per cent, faster than any other school in the region.
The Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority figures are the most up to date enrolment numbers that include all state and private schools nationally.
According to the latest public data, which includes public and private schools, Taradale student numbers have grown from 7 to 66, the fastest growth in the region.
The second-fastest-growing school was Coburg High School, where the student body increased by 286.9 between 2013 and 2018. Enrolment numbers grew from 179 in 2013 to 693 in 2018.
Over those five years, Coburg North Primary School had the third biggest enrolment boom in the area 310 more students at the school in 2018 than in 2013 — a 167.6 per cent increase.
Diggers Rest Primary School experienced 142.9 per cent growth between 2013 and 2018.
Principal Rochelle Hedger said the school had grown in line with the community around it.
“Five years ago we were a small country school of roughly 60 students,” she said.
“Since then we’ve really grown and seen the diversity and fabric of the school expand along with it.”
MORE: WHERE IS MELBOURNE’S BEST COFFEE?
SCHOOL CAPTAINS ON HOW THEY WILL SHAPE THE FUTURE
Ms Hedger said the school had accommodated growth by adopting a long-term masterplan.
“We’re really lucky we’re on a big pocket of land and we’ve had more allocated to us,” she said. “Around five or six years ago we started having conversations about planning for the future. Since then, we’ve able to adhere to that masterplan.”