Ballarat Clarendon College vs Ballarat High 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.
Ballarat Clarendon College
Ballarat · Independent combined · Prep-12
1,896 students · ICSEA 1172
Ballarat High School
Lake Gardens · Government high school · 7-12
1,461 students · ICSEA 1016
| Measure | Ballarat Clarendon College Ballarat VIC | Ballarat High School Lake Gardens VIC |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 79 Top 10% | 55 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #50 of 239 | #189 of 348 |
| National rank (type) | #130 of 1,259 | #639 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Independent | Government |
| Type | Combined | Secondary |
| Year range | Prep-12 | 7-12 |
| Students | 1,896 | 1,461 |
| Girls / boys | 918 / 978 | 762 / 699 |
| Foundation intake | 88 | – |
| Year 7 cohort | 176 | 279 |
| Year 12 cohort | 194 | 172 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | 37 | 30 |
| VCE study scores 40+ | 35% | 3.6% |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +25% | +3% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1172 | 1016 |
| ICSEA percentile | 98th | 54th |
| Top SEA quarter | 68% | 13% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 1% | 29% |
| Students per teacher | 13.1 | 12.7 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 144.3 | 115.4 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 62.5 | 44.8 |
| Language background other than English | 46% | 12% |
| Indigenous students | 1% | 3% |
| Suburb | Ballarat 3350 | Lake Gardens 3350 |
| Council area | Ballarat | Ballarat |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | www.clarendon.vic.edu.au | www.ballaraths.vic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Ballarat Clarendon College scores higher on the Success Index (78.6 vs 54.6).
- •Ballarat Clarendon College has the higher ICSEA (1172 vs 1016), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Ballarat Clarendon College is the larger school with 1,896 students compared with 1,461.
- •Ballarat Clarendon College has grown faster over five years (25% vs 3%).
- •Ballarat Clarendon College is a independent school while Ballarat High 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.
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 Wyndham Vale
Frequently asked questions
Is Ballarat Clarendon College better than Ballarat High School?
On the Success Index, Ballarat Clarendon College ranks higher (78.6 vs 54.6 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 Ballarat Clarendon College and Ballarat High School?
About 1.5 km in a straight line, between Ballarat and Lake Gardens in Victoria.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Ballarat Clarendon College has 13.1 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Ballarat High School has 12.7.
How do Ballarat Clarendon College and Ballarat High School rank in VIC?
Ballarat Clarendon College is 50th of 239 and Ballarat High School is 189th of 348 among combined schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.