Black Mountain School vs St Joseph's Primary School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Australian Capital Territory, 1.4 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
St Joseph's Primary School
O'Connor · Catholic primary · K-6
334 students · ICSEA 1130
| Measure | Black Mountain School O'Connor ACT | St Joseph's Primary School O'Connor ACT |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | – Not rated | 79 Top 5% |
| State rank (type) | – | #13 of 80 |
| National rank (type) | – | #242 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Special | Primary |
| Year range | 7-12 | K-6 |
| Students | 108 | 334 |
| Girls / boys | 31 / 77 | 157 / 177 |
| Foundation intake | – | 52 |
| Year 7 cohort | 14 | – |
| Year 12 cohort | 12 | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -5% | +17% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1030 | 1130 |
| ICSEA percentile | 60th | 91th |
| Top SEA quarter | 23% | 51% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 24% | 2% |
| Students per teacher | 3.2 | 16.5 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 33.8 | 20.3 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 53.4 | 6.7 |
| Language background other than English | 37% | 21% |
| Indigenous students | 8% | 2% |
| Suburb | O'Connor 2602 | O'Connor 2602 |
| Council area | Unincorporated ACT | Unincorporated ACT |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.bms.act.edu.au/ | www.sjo.act.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Joseph's Primary School has the higher ICSEA (1130 vs 1030), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Black Mountain School has fewer students per teacher (3.2 vs 16.5).
- •St Joseph's Primary School is the larger school with 334 students compared with 108.
- •St Joseph's Primary School has grown faster over five years (17% vs -5%).
- •Black Mountain School is a government school while St Joseph's Primary School 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 St Joseph's Primary 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 St Joseph's Primary School?
About 1.4 km in a straight line, between O'Connor and O'Connor 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 St Joseph's Primary School has 16.5.
How do Black Mountain School and St Joseph's Primary School rank in ACT?
Black Mountain School is unranked and St Joseph's Primary School is 13th of 80 among special schools in Australian Capital Territory on the 2025 Success Index.