Aurora Southern Highlands Steiner School vs Orange Christian School
A head-to-head comparison of two combined schools in New South Wales, 179 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
Orange Christian School
Orange · Independent combined · K-12
490 students · ICSEA 1052
| Measure | Aurora Southern Highlands Steiner School Bowral NSW | Orange Christian School Orange NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 60 Top 50% | 55 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #141 of 314 | #170 of 314 |
| National rank (type) | #454 of 1,259 | #550 of 1,259 |
| Sector | Independent | Independent |
| Type | Combined | Combined |
| Year range | K-12 | K-12 |
| Students | 131 | 490 |
| Girls / boys | 64 / 67 | 248 / 242 |
| Foundation intake | 17 | 33 |
| Year 7 cohort | 9 | 57 |
| Year 12 cohort | 5 | 19 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +17% | +38% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1052 | 1052 |
| ICSEA percentile | 69th | 69th |
| Top SEA quarter | 30% | 29% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 18% | 17% |
| Students per teacher | 10.4 | 13.5 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 12.6 | 36.4 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 5.7 | 18.4 |
| Language background other than English | 6% | 8% |
| Indigenous students | 11% | 7% |
| Suburb | Bowral 2576 | Orange 2800 |
| Council area | Wingecarribee | Orange |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | aurorasteiner.nsw.edu.au/ | www.ocs.nsw.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Aurora Southern Highlands Steiner School scores higher on the Success Index (60.4 vs 54.9).
- •Aurora Southern Highlands Steiner School has fewer students per teacher (10.4 vs 13.5).
- •Orange Christian School is the larger school with 490 students compared with 131.
- •Orange Christian School has grown faster over five years (38% vs 17%).
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 Orange Christian School?
On the Success Index, Aurora Southern Highlands Steiner School ranks higher (60.4 vs 54.9 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 Orange Christian School?
About 179 km in a straight line, between Bowral and Orange 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 Orange Christian School has 13.5.
How do Aurora Southern Highlands Steiner School and Orange Christian School rank in NSW?
Aurora Southern Highlands Steiner School is 141st of 314 and Orange Christian School is 170th of 314 among combined schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.