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Balcombe Grammar School vs Mornington Special Developmental School

A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Victoria, 5.7 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.

MeasureBalcombe Grammar School
Mount Martha VIC
Mornington Special Developmental School
Mornington VIC
Success Index
63
Top 50%
–
Not rated
State rank (type)#120 of 239–
National rank (type)#413 of 1,259–
SectorIndependentGovernment
TypeCombinedSpecial
Year rangePrep-12U
Students95424
Girls / boys480 / 4747 / 17
Foundation intake50–
Year 7 cohort104–
Year 12 cohort92–
VCE median study score
VCAA, latest year
31–
VCE study scores 40+9.6%–
5-year enrolment growth+6%-20%
ICSEA
Average 1000
1096920
ICSEA percentile83th15th
Top SEA quarter34%3%
Bottom SEA quarter5%54%
Students per teacher12.62.6
Teaching staff (FTE)75.59.2
Non-teaching staff (FTE)42.98.5
Language background other than English7%12%
Indigenous students1%21%
SuburbMount Martha 3934Mornington 3931
Council areaMornington PeninsulaMornington Peninsula
RemotenessMajor CitiesMajor Cities
Websitewww.balcombegrammar.vic.edu.auwww.morningtonsds.vic.edu.au/

The verdict

  • •Balcombe Grammar School has the higher ICSEA (1096 vs 920), indicating a more advantaged community.
  • •Mornington Special Developmental School has fewer students per teacher (2.6 vs 12.6).
  • •Balcombe Grammar School is the larger school with 954 students compared with 24.
  • •Balcombe Grammar School has grown faster over five years (6% vs -20%).
  • •Balcombe Grammar School is a independent school while Mornington Special Developmental School is a government 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 Balcombe Grammar School better than Mornington Special Developmental 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 Balcombe Grammar School and Mornington Special Developmental School?

About 5.7 km in a straight line, between Mount Martha and Mornington in Victoria.

Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?

Balcombe Grammar School has 12.6 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Mornington Special Developmental School has 2.6.

How do Balcombe Grammar School and Mornington Special Developmental School rank in VIC?

Balcombe Grammar School is 120th of 239 and Mornington Special Developmental School is unranked among combined schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.