Melrose High School vs The Canberra College
A head-to-head comparison of two secondary schools in Australian Capital Territory, 2.6 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Melrose High School
Pearce · Government high school · 7-10
776 students · ICSEA 1079
The Canberra College
Phillip · Government high school · 11-12
1,174 students · ICSEA 1087
| Measure | Melrose High School Pearce ACT | The Canberra College Phillip ACT |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 68 Top 25% | 68 Top 25% |
| State rank (type) | #21 of 27 | #19 of 27 |
| National rank (type) | #340 of 1,472 | #329 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Secondary | Secondary |
| Year range | 7-10 | 11-12 |
| Students | 776 | 1,174 |
| Girls / boys | 376 / 400 | 625 / 549 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | 196 | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | 579 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -5% | +5% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1079 | 1087 |
| ICSEA percentile | 78th | 81th |
| Top SEA quarter | 37% | 39% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 13% | 12% |
| Students per teacher | 13.6 | 15.5 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 57.2 | 75.6 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 23.6 | 42.5 |
| Language background other than English | 31% | 26% |
| Indigenous students | 4% | 4% |
| Suburb | Pearce 2607 | Phillip 2606 |
| Council area | Unincorporated ACT | Unincorporated ACT |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.melrosehs.act.edu.au/ | www.canberrac.act.edu.au/ |
The verdict
- •Both schools have almost identical Success Index scores (67.6 vs 68.0).
- •The Canberra College has the higher ICSEA (1087 vs 1079), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Melrose High School has fewer students per teacher (13.6 vs 15.5).
- •The Canberra College is the larger school with 1,174 students compared with 776.
- •The Canberra College has grown faster over five years (5% 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 Melrose High School better than The Canberra 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 Melrose High School and The Canberra College?
About 2.6 km in a straight line, between Pearce and Phillip in Australian Capital Territory.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Melrose High School has 13.6 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and The Canberra College has 15.5.
How do Melrose High School and The Canberra College rank in ACT?
Melrose High School is 21st of 27 and The Canberra College is 19th of 27 among secondary schools in Australian Capital Territory on the 2025 Success Index.