Ballarat Christian College vs St James' School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Victoria, 1.2 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Ballarat Christian College
Sebastopol · Independent combined · Prep-12
406 students · ICSEA 1058
St James' School
Sebastopol · Catholic primary · Prep-6
166 students · ICSEA 1034
| Measure | Ballarat Christian College Sebastopol VIC | St James' School Sebastopol VIC |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 62 Top 50% | 56 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #122 of 239 | #759 of 1,290 |
| National rank (type) | #422 of 1,259 | #2269 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Independent | Catholic |
| Type | Combined | Primary |
| Year range | Prep-12 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 406 | 166 |
| Girls / boys | 202 / 204 | 85 / 81 |
| Foundation intake | 25 | 35 |
| Year 7 cohort | 58 | – |
| Year 12 cohort | 21 | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | 26 | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | 0% | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +38% | -8% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1058 | 1034 |
| ICSEA percentile | 71th | 61th |
| Top SEA quarter | 22% | 17% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 15% | 26% |
| Students per teacher | 12.1 | 13.8 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 33.4 | 12.0 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 27.7 | 7.0 |
| Language background other than English | 33% | 7% |
| Indigenous students | 0% | 5% |
| Suburb | Sebastopol 3356 | Sebastopol 3356 |
| Council area | Ballarat | Ballarat |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | www.balcc.vic.edu.au | www.sjsebastopol.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Ballarat Christian College scores higher on the Success Index (61.9 vs 55.8).
- •Ballarat Christian College has the higher ICSEA (1058 vs 1034), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Ballarat Christian College has fewer students per teacher (12.1 vs 13.8).
- •Ballarat Christian College is the larger school with 406 students compared with 166.
- •Ballarat Christian College has grown faster over five years (38% vs -8%).
- •Ballarat Christian College is a independent school while St James' 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 Ballarat Christian College better than St James' School?
On the Success Index, Ballarat Christian College ranks higher (61.9 vs 55.8 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 Ballarat Christian College and St James' School?
About 1.2 km in a straight line, between Sebastopol and Sebastopol in Victoria.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Ballarat Christian College has 12.1 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St James' School has 13.8.
How do Ballarat Christian College and St James' School rank in VIC?
Ballarat Christian College is 122nd of 239 and St James' School is 759th of 1,290 among combined schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.