Black Mountain School vs Merici College
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Australian Capital Territory, 2.2 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
Merici College
Braddon · Catholic high school · 7-12
992 students · ICSEA 1138
| Measure | Black Mountain School O'Connor ACT | Merici College Braddon ACT |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | – Not rated | 86 Top 5% |
| State rank (type) | – | #1 of 27 |
| National rank (type) | – | #10 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Special | Secondary |
| Year range | 7-12 | 7-12 |
| Students | 108 | 992 |
| Girls / boys | 31 / 77 | 992 / – |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | 14 | 189 |
| Year 12 cohort | 12 | 111 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -5% | +48% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1030 | 1138 |
| ICSEA percentile | 60th | 93th |
| Top SEA quarter | 23% | 55% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 24% | 3% |
| Students per teacher | 3.2 | 13.1 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 33.8 | 75.8 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 53.4 | 27.4 |
| Language background other than English | 37% | 13% |
| Indigenous students | 8% | 1% |
| Suburb | O'Connor 2602 | Braddon 2612 |
| Council area | Unincorporated ACT | Unincorporated ACT |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.bms.act.edu.au/ | www.merici.act.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Merici College has the higher ICSEA (1138 vs 1030), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Black Mountain School has fewer students per teacher (3.2 vs 13.1).
- •Merici College is the larger school with 992 students compared with 108.
- •Merici College has grown faster over five years (48% vs -5%).
- •Black Mountain School is a government school while Merici College 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 Black Mountain School better than Merici College?
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 Merici College?
About 2.2 km in a straight line, between O'Connor and Braddon 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 Merici College has 13.1.
How do Black Mountain School and Merici College rank in ACT?
Black Mountain School is unranked and Merici College is 1st of 27 among special schools in Australian Capital Territory on the 2025 Success Index.