Black Mountain School vs Turner School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Australian Capital Territory, 1.2 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
Turner School
Turner · Government primary · K-6
318 students · ICSEA 1141
| Measure | Black Mountain School O'Connor ACT | Turner School Turner ACT |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | – Not rated | 78 Top 10% |
| State rank (type) | – | #19 of 80 |
| National rank (type) | – | #322 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Special | Primary |
| Year range | 7-12 | K-6 |
| Students | 108 | 318 |
| Girls / boys | 31 / 77 | 147 / 171 |
| Foundation intake | – | 35 |
| Year 7 cohort | 14 | – |
| Year 12 cohort | 12 | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -5% | -36% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1030 | 1141 |
| ICSEA percentile | 60th | 94th |
| Top SEA quarter | 23% | 62% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 24% | 4% |
| Students per teacher | 3.2 | 11.8 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 33.8 | 26.9 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 53.4 | 13.8 |
| Language background other than English | 37% | 51% |
| Indigenous students | 8% | 3% |
| Suburb | O'Connor 2602 | Turner 2612 |
| Council area | Unincorporated ACT | Unincorporated ACT |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.bms.act.edu.au/ | www.turners.act.edu.au/ |
The verdict
- •Turner School has the higher ICSEA (1141 vs 1030), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Black Mountain School has fewer students per teacher (3.2 vs 11.8).
- •Turner School is the larger school with 318 students compared with 108.
- •Black Mountain School has grown faster over five years (-5% vs -36%).
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 Turner 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 Turner School?
About 1.2 km in a straight line, between O'Connor and Turner 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 Turner School has 11.8.
How do Black Mountain School and Turner School rank in ACT?
Black Mountain School is unranked and Turner School is 19th of 80 among special schools in Australian Capital Territory on the 2025 Success Index.