Salesian College Chadstone achieved a score of 102 on the Federal Government's socioeconomic status (SES) scale, which covers funding from 2009-12.

The college's current level of funding will be maintained, but it is not eligible for extra money under SES policy.

Principal Chris Ford said there was not enough room for a full class of students to use computers and study in the library.

"We've needed a new library for 20 years and we've applied [over and over] ... but there is no way we would ever get the $5million needed for the library and classroom block because we're a couple of points over on our SES score."

He said there was an "enormous" pressure on teachers, principals and school systems to ensure learning practices were up to date, but the school's facilities made it difficult.

The layout of the school also meant the library was used as a thoroughfare for staff ... because it was the only convenient way of getting from offices to the staff room.

"I think with a new library our students would be studying in a different way and our teachers would be teaching in a different way. We would utilise information and processing in a different way, which would really affect not just the library but the learning culture of the whole school."

Mr Ford said governments had responded to the needs of Catholic schools for infrastructure funding, but state and federal government funding had not kept up with the consumer price index.

"We are enormously grateful for the generosity of the Government, but at the same time we would really appreciate some additional assistance to bridge the gap."

State Opposition spokesman for education Martin Dixon said it was "unbelievable" the college had been waiting so long for a new library. "Having been a school principal before I was an MP, I know how important a good library is for the welfare of the students and their learning."

While the SES scale was the best measurement around, he said it was "a fairly blunt instrument" with many drawbacks.

A spokesman for Education Minister Bronwyn Pike said the State Government was in the midst of a historic four-year, $1billion funding agreement with the Catholic sector. "We've invested more than $7billion into education statewide since 1999 and employed an extra 8000 teachers and support staff and we'll continue to invest so that our schools can succeed."

Federal Education Minister Julia Gillard did not respond to the Journal before publication.