Bacchus Marsh College vs St Bernard's School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Victoria, 1.5 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Bacchus Marsh College
Bacchus Marsh · Government high school · 7-12
987 students · ICSEA 966
St Bernard's School
Bacchus Marsh · Catholic primary · Prep-6
328 students · ICSEA 1035
| Measure | Bacchus Marsh College Bacchus Marsh VIC | St Bernard's School Bacchus Marsh VIC |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 42 Lower 50% | 59 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #264 of 348 | #677 of 1,290 |
| National rank (type) | #914 of 1,472 | #2002 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Secondary | Primary |
| Year range | 7-12 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 987 | 328 |
| Girls / boys | 465 / 522 | 187 / 141 |
| Foundation intake | – | 54 |
| Year 7 cohort | 189 | – |
| Year 12 cohort | 129 | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | 23 | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | 0.8% | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +5% | -2% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 966 | 1035 |
| ICSEA percentile | 32th | 62th |
| Top SEA quarter | 6% | 13% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 48% | 21% |
| Students per teacher | 11.2 | 13.3 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 87.2 | 24.6 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 41.1 | 11.5 |
| Language background other than English | 13% | 14% |
| Indigenous students | 6% | 3% |
| Suburb | Bacchus Marsh 3340 | Bacchus Marsh 3340 |
| Council area | Moorabool | Moorabool |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.bmsc.vic.edu.au | www.sbbacchusmarsh.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Bernard's School scores higher on the Success Index (59.1 vs 41.6).
- •St Bernard's School has the higher ICSEA (1035 vs 966), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Bacchus Marsh College has fewer students per teacher (11.2 vs 13.3).
- •Bacchus Marsh College is the larger school with 987 students compared with 328.
- •Bacchus Marsh College has grown faster over five years (5% vs -2%).
- •Bacchus Marsh College is a government school while St Bernard's School is a catholic 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 Bacchus Marsh College better than St Bernard's School?
On the Success Index, St Bernard's School ranks higher (59.1 vs 41.6 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 Bacchus Marsh College and St Bernard's School?
About 1.5 km in a straight line, between Bacchus Marsh and Bacchus Marsh in Victoria.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Bacchus Marsh College has 11.2 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Bernard's School has 13.3.
How do Bacchus Marsh College and St Bernard's School rank in VIC?
Bacchus Marsh College is 264th of 348 and St Bernard's School is 677th of 1,290 among secondary schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.