Ballarat High School vs Bendigo South East 7-10 Secondary College
A head-to-head comparison of two secondary schools in Victoria, 96 km 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
Bendigo South East 7-10 Secondary College
Bendigo · Government high school · 7-10
1,030 students · ICSEA 1016
| Measure | Ballarat High School Lake Gardens VIC | Bendigo South East 7-10 Secondary College Bendigo VIC |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 55 Top 50% | 46 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #189 of 348 | #237 of 348 |
| National rank (type) | #639 of 1,472 | #816 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Secondary | Secondary |
| Year range | 7-12 | 7-10 |
| Students | 1,461 | 1,030 |
| Girls / boys | 762 / 699 | 465 / 565 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | 279 | 263 |
| Year 12 cohort | 172 | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | 30 | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | 3.6% | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +3% | -31% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1016 | 1016 |
| ICSEA percentile | 54th | 54th |
| Top SEA quarter | 13% | 18% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 29% | 30% |
| Students per teacher | 12.7 | 13.2 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 115.4 | 77.9 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 44.8 | 35.1 |
| Language background other than English | 12% | 9% |
| Indigenous students | 3% | 5% |
| Suburb | Lake Gardens 3350 | Bendigo 3550 |
| Council area | Ballarat | Greater Bendigo |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | www.ballaraths.vic.edu.au | www.bse.vic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Ballarat High School scores higher on the Success Index (54.6 vs 46.2).
- •Ballarat High School has fewer students per teacher (12.7 vs 13.2).
- •Ballarat High School is the larger school with 1,461 students compared with 1,030.
- •Ballarat High School has grown faster over five years (3% vs -31%).
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 Bendigo South East 7-10 Secondary College?
On the Success Index, Ballarat High School ranks higher (54.6 vs 46.2 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 High School and Bendigo South East 7-10 Secondary College?
About 96 km in a straight line, between Lake Gardens and Bendigo in Victoria.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Ballarat High School has 12.7 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Bendigo South East 7-10 Secondary College has 13.2.
How do Ballarat High School and Bendigo South East 7-10 Secondary College rank in VIC?
Ballarat High School is 189th of 348 and Bendigo South East 7-10 Secondary College is 237th of 348 among secondary schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.