Ballarat Grammar vs Ballarat Specialist School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Victoria, 1.8 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Ballarat Grammar
Wendouree · Independent combined · Prep-12
1,989 students · ICSEA 1120
Ballarat Specialist School
Lake Gardens · Government special · U
453 students · ICSEA 950
| Measure | Ballarat Grammar Wendouree VIC | Ballarat Specialist School Lake Gardens VIC |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 70 Top 25% | – Not rated |
| State rank (type) | #84 of 239 | – |
| National rank (type) | #270 of 1,259 | – |
| Sector | Independent | Government |
| Type | Combined | Special |
| Year range | Prep-12 | U |
| Students | 1,989 | 453 |
| Girls / boys | 1,023 / 966 | 139 / 314 |
| Foundation intake | 73 | – |
| Year 7 cohort | 239 | – |
| Year 12 cohort | 206 | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | 32 | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | 10.2% | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +24% | +1% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1120 | 950 |
| ICSEA percentile | 89th | 25th |
| Top SEA quarter | 48% | 7% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 4% | 53% |
| Students per teacher | 11.0 | 6.3 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 181.5 | 71.9 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 85.9 | 166.1 |
| Language background other than English | 12% | 8% |
| Indigenous students | 2% | 10% |
| Suburb | Wendouree 3355 | Lake Gardens 3355 |
| Council area | Ballarat | Ballarat |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | www.bgs.vic.edu.au | www.ballaratss.vic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Ballarat Grammar has the higher ICSEA (1120 vs 950), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Ballarat Specialist School has fewer students per teacher (6.3 vs 11.0).
- •Ballarat Grammar is the larger school with 1,989 students compared with 453.
- •Ballarat Grammar has grown faster over five years (24% vs 1%).
- •Ballarat Grammar 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 Grammar 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 Grammar and Ballarat Specialist School?
About 1.8 km in a straight line, between Wendouree and Lake Gardens in Victoria.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Ballarat Grammar has 11.0 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Ballarat Specialist School has 6.3.
How do Ballarat Grammar and Ballarat Specialist School rank in VIC?
Ballarat Grammar is 84th of 239 and Ballarat Specialist School is unranked among combined schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.