Aurora Southern Highlands Steiner School vs Frensham School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 3.6 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 School
Mittagong · Independent high school · 7-12
345 students · ICSEA 1137
| Measure | Aurora Southern Highlands Steiner School Bowral NSW | Frensham School Mittagong NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 60 Top 50% | 81 Top 5% |
| State rank (type) | #141 of 314 | #16 of 539 |
| National rank (type) | #454 of 1,259 | #54 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Independent | Independent |
| Type | Combined | Secondary |
| Year range | K-12 | 7-12 |
| Students | 131 | 345 |
| Girls / boys | 64 / 67 | 345 / 0 |
| Foundation intake | 17 | – |
| Year 7 cohort | 9 | 49 |
| Year 12 cohort | 5 | 70 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +17% | -3% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1052 | 1137 |
| ICSEA percentile | 69th | 92th |
| Top SEA quarter | 30% | 54% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 18% | 1% |
| Students per teacher | 10.4 | 8.0 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 12.6 | 42.9 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 5.7 | 28.3 |
| Language background other than English | 6% | 8% |
| Indigenous students | 11% | 0% |
| Suburb | Bowral 2576 | Mittagong 2575 |
| Council area | Wingecarribee | Wingecarribee |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | aurorasteiner.nsw.edu.au/ | www.frensham.nsw.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Frensham School scores higher on the Success Index (81.0 vs 60.4).
- •Frensham School has the higher ICSEA (1137 vs 1052), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Frensham School has fewer students per teacher (8.0 vs 10.4).
- •Frensham School is the larger school with 345 students compared with 131.
- •Aurora Southern Highlands Steiner School has grown faster over five years (17% vs -3%).
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 Frensham School?
On the Success Index, Frensham School ranks higher (81.0 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 School?
About 3.6 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 School has 8.0.
How do Aurora Southern Highlands Steiner School and Frensham School rank in NSW?
Aurora Southern Highlands Steiner School is 141st of 314 and Frensham School is 16th of 539 among combined schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.