Aurora School vs Blackburn English Language School
A head-to-head comparison of two special schools in Victoria, 885 m apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Aurora School
Blackburn South · Government special · U
270 students · ICSEA 1038
Blackburn English Language School
Burwood East · Government special · Prep-10
344 students · ICSEA 1022
| Measure | Aurora School Blackburn South VIC | Blackburn English Language School Burwood East VIC |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | – Not rated | – Not rated |
| State rank (type) | – | – |
| National rank (type) | – | – |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Special | Special |
| Year range | U | Prep-10 |
| Students | 270 | 344 |
| Girls / boys | 122 / 148 | 166 / 178 |
| Foundation intake | – | 31 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | 32 |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -8% | +37% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1038 | 1022 |
| ICSEA percentile | 63th | 57th |
| Top SEA quarter | 25% | 25% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 24% | 29% |
| Students per teacher | 12.5 | 6.0 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 21.6 | 56.9 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 24.0 | 16.7 |
| Language background other than English | 49% | 100% |
| Indigenous students | 4% | 0% |
| Suburb | Blackburn South 3130 | Burwood East 3151 |
| Council area | Whitehorse | Whitehorse |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.auroraschool.vic.edu.au | www.blackburnels.vic.edu.au/ |
The verdict
- •Aurora School has the higher ICSEA (1038 vs 1022), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Blackburn English Language School has fewer students per teacher (6.0 vs 12.5).
- •Blackburn English Language School is the larger school with 344 students compared with 270.
- •Blackburn English Language School has grown faster over five years (37% vs -8%).
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 Carnegie
Frequently asked questions
Is Aurora School better than Blackburn English Language School?
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 Aurora School and Blackburn English Language School?
About 885 m in a straight line, between Blackburn South and Burwood East in Victoria.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Aurora School has 12.5 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Blackburn English Language School has 6.0.
How do Aurora School and Blackburn English Language School rank in VIC?
Aurora School is unranked and Blackburn English Language School is unranked among special schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.