Ballarat Clarendon College vs Ballarat Specialist 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 Specialist School
Lake Gardens · Government special · U
453 students · ICSEA 950
| Measure | Ballarat Clarendon College Ballarat VIC | Ballarat Specialist School Lake Gardens VIC |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 79 Top 10% | – Not rated |
| State rank (type) | #50 of 239 | – |
| National rank (type) | #130 of 1,259 | – |
| Sector | Independent | Government |
| Type | Combined | Special |
| Year range | Prep-12 | U |
| Students | 1,896 | 453 |
| Girls / boys | 918 / 978 | 139 / 314 |
| Foundation intake | 88 | – |
| Year 7 cohort | 176 | – |
| Year 12 cohort | 194 | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | 37 | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | 35% | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +25% | +1% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1172 | 950 |
| ICSEA percentile | 98th | 25th |
| Top SEA quarter | 68% | 7% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 1% | 53% |
| Students per teacher | 13.1 | 6.3 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 144.3 | 71.9 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 62.5 | 166.1 |
| Language background other than English | 46% | 8% |
| Indigenous students | 1% | 10% |
| Suburb | Ballarat 3350 | Lake Gardens 3355 |
| Council area | Ballarat | Ballarat |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | www.clarendon.vic.edu.au | www.ballaratss.vic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Ballarat Clarendon College has the higher ICSEA (1172 vs 950), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Ballarat Specialist School has fewer students per teacher (6.3 vs 13.1).
- •Ballarat Clarendon College is the larger school with 1,896 students compared with 453.
- •Ballarat Clarendon College has grown faster over five years (25% vs 1%).
- •Ballarat Clarendon College is a independent school while Ballarat Specialist 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 Ballarat Clarendon College better than Ballarat Specialist 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 Ballarat Clarendon College and Ballarat Specialist 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 Specialist School has 6.3.
How do Ballarat Clarendon College and Ballarat Specialist School rank in VIC?
Ballarat Clarendon College is 50th of 239 and Ballarat Specialist School is unranked among combined schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.