St Bernard's College is a Catholic boys' secondary school in Essendon with a reputation for academic rigour and strong pastoral care.
NAPLAN modestly above national year-level averages and a median ATAR of 73.0; the result is a B overall.
St Bernard's College is a Catholic boys' secondary school in Essendon with a reputation for academic rigour and strong pastoral care. The school offers an Able and Ambitious accelerated stream for selective students, alongside the SBC Baccalaureate program and dedicated Sport Academies. It's well known for its Music Academy and competitive debating, and competes in the ACC interschool sports network. The tight-knit community is supported by solid facilities including a Margaret Tierney Centre for senior years, 25-metre pool, and dedicated performance and worship spaces. It suits families seeking a tight pastoral environment with serious academics and diverse pathways in music, sport, or humanities.
St Bernard's College is also known as SBC Essendon.
Median ATAR 73.0 ranks #107 of 522 Victoria schools. Within Victoria Catholic schools, ranks #20 of 91.
St Bernard's College has an overall SchoolRank score of 58.4/100, rated "Average". This score is calculated from academic results, student growth, wellbeing, programs, and value for money. Academically, the school grades B (Average) against other Australian schools. The school's ICSEA (Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage) is 1100 (84th percentile; the national average is 1,000).
In 2025 NAPLAN testing at St Bernard's College, Year 7 students averaged 557 across the tested NAPLAN domains, above the national average of 540 for that year level, and Year 9 students averaged 580, above the national average of 569 for that year level. Relative to national year-level averages, the school's strongest domain is Numeracy. National averages are specific to each year level, because NAPLAN scores are scaled so older year levels score higher. A school-wide average can't be compared with a single national figure.
St Bernard's College is a large Catholic secondary school with approximately 1,567 students. It offers education for years 7-12. As a Catholic school, enrolment typically involves an application process. Contact the school directly for enrolment criteria, waiting lists, and open day information.
St Bernard's College has approximate annual tuition fees of $11,343. Actual fees may vary by year level, and additional costs for uniforms, camps, and extracurricular activities typically apply. The school grades C+ (Below average) for value for money, which weighs academic results against the cost of attendance.
St Bernard's College has a student-to-teacher ratio of 12.9:1. This is below the national average of approximately 14:1, meaning students generally receive more individual attention. Support staff make up 33% of the workforce, providing additional learning assistance and pastoral care. The student attendance rate is 90%, which is good.
St Bernard's College has a median ATAR of 73.0.
St Bernard's College is located in Essendon, VIC, in a major city. Its ICSEA is 1100 (84th percentile; the national average is 1,000). ICSEA measures the advantage of a school's community, from its parents' education and occupation, not the school's quality. A school with a lower ICSEA and strong academic results may be teaching particularly effectively.