Aurora Southern Highlands Steiner School vs Bowral High School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 1.9 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Aurora Southern Highlands Steiner School
Bowral · Independent combined · K-12
131 students · ICSEA 1052
Bowral High School
Bowral · Government high school · 7-12
564 students · ICSEA 956
| Measure | Aurora Southern Highlands Steiner School Bowral NSW | Bowral High School Bowral NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 60 Top 50% | 30 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #141 of 314 | #426 of 539 |
| National rank (type) | #454 of 1,259 | #1174 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Independent | Government |
| Type | Combined | Secondary |
| Year range | K-12 | 7-12 |
| Students | 131 | 564 |
| Girls / boys | 64 / 67 | 283 / 281 |
| Foundation intake | 17 | – |
| Year 7 cohort | 9 | 99 |
| Year 12 cohort | 5 | 65 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +17% | -28% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1052 | 956 |
| ICSEA percentile | 69th | 27th |
| Top SEA quarter | 30% | 4% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 18% | 47% |
| Students per teacher | 10.4 | 10.1 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 12.6 | 55.8 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 5.7 | 16.5 |
| Language background other than English | 6% | 12% |
| Indigenous students | 11% | 11% |
| Suburb | Bowral 2576 | Bowral 2576 |
| Council area | Wingecarribee | Wingecarribee |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | aurorasteiner.nsw.edu.au/ | bowral-h.schools.nsw.gov.au |
The verdict
- •Aurora Southern Highlands Steiner School scores higher on the Success Index (60.4 vs 30.2).
- •Aurora Southern Highlands Steiner School has the higher ICSEA (1052 vs 956), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Bowral High School is the larger school with 564 students compared with 131.
- •Aurora Southern Highlands Steiner School has grown faster over five years (17% vs -28%).
- •Aurora Southern Highlands Steiner School is a independent school while Bowral High School is a government 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 Aurora Southern Highlands Steiner School better than Bowral High School?
On the Success Index, Aurora Southern Highlands Steiner School ranks higher (60.4 vs 30.2 out of 100). The index measures community advantage and momentum from ACARA data, not teaching quality, so visit both schools before deciding.
How far apart are Aurora Southern Highlands Steiner School and Bowral High School?
About 1.9 km in a straight line, between Bowral and Bowral in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Aurora Southern Highlands Steiner School has 10.4 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Bowral High School has 10.1.
How do Aurora Southern Highlands Steiner School and Bowral High School rank in NSW?
Aurora Southern Highlands Steiner School is 141st of 314 and Bowral High School is 426th of 539 among combined schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.