Ballarat High School vs Ballarat Specialist School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Victoria, 217 m apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Ballarat High School
Lake Gardens · Government high school · 7-12
1,461 students · ICSEA 1016
Ballarat Specialist School
Lake Gardens · Government special · U
453 students · ICSEA 950
| Measure | Ballarat High School Lake Gardens VIC | Ballarat Specialist School Lake Gardens VIC |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 55 Top 50% | – Not rated |
| State rank (type) | #189 of 348 | – |
| National rank (type) | #639 of 1,472 | – |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Secondary | Special |
| Year range | 7-12 | U |
| Students | 1,461 | 453 |
| Girls / boys | 762 / 699 | 139 / 314 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | 279 | – |
| Year 12 cohort | 172 | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | 30 | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | 3.6% | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +3% | +1% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1016 | 950 |
| ICSEA percentile | 54th | 25th |
| Top SEA quarter | 13% | 7% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 29% | 53% |
| Students per teacher | 12.7 | 6.3 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 115.4 | 71.9 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 44.8 | 166.1 |
| Language background other than English | 12% | 8% |
| Indigenous students | 3% | 10% |
| Suburb | Lake Gardens 3350 | Lake Gardens 3355 |
| Council area | Ballarat | Ballarat |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | www.ballaraths.vic.edu.au | www.ballaratss.vic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Ballarat High School has the higher ICSEA (1016 vs 950), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Ballarat Specialist School has fewer students per teacher (6.3 vs 12.7).
- •Ballarat High School is the larger school with 1,461 students compared with 453.
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 High School 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 High School and Ballarat Specialist School?
About 217 m in a straight line, between Lake Gardens and Lake Gardens in Victoria.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Ballarat High School has 12.7 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Ballarat Specialist School has 6.3.
How do Ballarat High School and Ballarat Specialist School rank in VIC?
Ballarat High School is 189th of 348 and Ballarat Specialist School is unranked among secondary schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.