Aurora Southern Highlands Steiner School vs Frensham Junior School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 2.1 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
Frensham Junior School
Mittagong · Independent primary · K-6
103 students · ICSEA 1157
| Measure | Aurora Southern Highlands Steiner School Bowral NSW | Frensham Junior School Mittagong NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 60 Top 50% | 82 Top 5% |
| State rank (type) | #141 of 314 | #25 of 1,619 |
| National rank (type) | #454 of 1,259 | #111 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Independent | Independent |
| Type | Combined | Primary |
| Year range | K-12 | K-6 |
| Students | 131 | 103 |
| Girls / boys | 64 / 67 | 79 / 24 |
| Foundation intake | 17 | 10 |
| Year 7 cohort | 9 | – |
| Year 12 cohort | 5 | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +17% | -13% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1052 | 1157 |
| ICSEA percentile | 69th | 96th |
| Top SEA quarter | 30% | 64% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 18% | 1% |
| Students per teacher | 10.4 | 8.9 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 12.6 | 11.6 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 5.7 | 12.0 |
| Language background other than English | 6% | 12% |
| Indigenous students | 11% | 1% |
| Suburb | Bowral 2576 | Mittagong 2575 |
| Council area | Wingecarribee | Wingecarribee |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | aurorasteiner.nsw.edu.au/ | www.gibgate.nsw.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Frensham Junior School scores higher on the Success Index (82.0 vs 60.4).
- •Frensham Junior School has the higher ICSEA (1157 vs 1052), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Frensham Junior School has fewer students per teacher (8.9 vs 10.4).
- •Aurora Southern Highlands Steiner School is the larger school with 131 students compared with 103.
- •Aurora Southern Highlands Steiner School has grown faster over five years (17% vs -13%).
The Success Index summarises community advantage, resourcing and momentum from ACARA data. It does not measure teaching quality, results or fit. Methodology.
Free academic assessment
Torn between two schools? Start with your child.
Whichever you choose, a free Success Tutoring assessment shows exactly where your child is in English and Maths and how to get ahead before the next school year.
- Personalised learning plan mapped to the Australian Curriculum
- English & Maths from Kindergarten to Year 12
- Flexible memberships, no lock-in contracts
- Your nearest centre: Success Tutoring Camden
Frequently asked questions
Is Aurora Southern Highlands Steiner School better than Frensham Junior School?
On the Success Index, Frensham Junior School ranks higher (82.0 vs 60.4 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 Frensham Junior School?
About 2.1 km in a straight line, between Bowral and Mittagong 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 Frensham Junior School has 8.9.
How do Aurora Southern Highlands Steiner School and Frensham Junior School rank in NSW?
Aurora Southern Highlands Steiner School is 141st of 314 and Frensham Junior School is 25th of 1,619 among combined schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.