Black Mountain School vs Cranleigh School
A head-to-head comparison of two special schools in Australian Capital Territory, 8.8 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Black Mountain School
O'Connor · Government special · 7-12
108 students · ICSEA 1030
Cranleigh School
Holt · Government special · K-6
88 students · ICSEA 1036
| Measure | Black Mountain School O'Connor ACT | Cranleigh School Holt ACT |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | – Not rated | – Not rated |
| State rank (type) | – | – |
| National rank (type) | – | – |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Special | Special |
| Year range | 7-12 | K-6 |
| Students | 108 | 88 |
| Girls / boys | 31 / 77 | 30 / 58 |
| Foundation intake | – | 9 |
| Year 7 cohort | 14 | – |
| Year 12 cohort | 12 | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -5% | +7% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1030 | 1036 |
| ICSEA percentile | 60th | 62th |
| Top SEA quarter | 23% | 27% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 24% | 20% |
| Students per teacher | 3.2 | 4.0 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 33.8 | 21.2 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 53.4 | 32.7 |
| Language background other than English | 37% | 53% |
| Indigenous students | 8% | 13% |
| Suburb | O'Connor 2602 | Holt 2615 |
| Council area | Unincorporated ACT | Unincorporated ACT |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.bms.act.edu.au/ | www.cranleighps.act.edu.au/ |
The verdict
- •Cranleigh School has the higher ICSEA (1036 vs 1030), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Black Mountain School has fewer students per teacher (3.2 vs 4.0).
- •Black Mountain School is the larger school with 108 students compared with 88.
- •Cranleigh School has grown faster over five years (7% vs -5%).
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 Black Mountain School better than Cranleigh 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 Black Mountain School and Cranleigh School?
About 8.8 km in a straight line, between O'Connor and Holt in Australian Capital Territory.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Black Mountain School has 3.2 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Cranleigh School has 4.0.
How do Black Mountain School and Cranleigh School rank in ACT?
Black Mountain School is unranked and Cranleigh School is unranked among special schools in Australian Capital Territory on the 2025 Success Index.