Ballarat High School vs St Patrick's College
A head-to-head comparison of two secondary schools in Victoria, 1.4 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
St Patrick's College
Ballarat · Catholic high school · 7-12
1,267 students · ICSEA 1055
| Measure | Ballarat High School Lake Gardens VIC | St Patrick's College Ballarat VIC |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 55 Top 50% | 68 Top 25% |
| State rank (type) | #189 of 348 | #110 of 348 |
| National rank (type) | #639 of 1,472 | #319 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Secondary | Secondary |
| Year range | 7-12 | 7-12 |
| Students | 1,461 | 1,267 |
| Girls / boys | 762 / 699 | 0 / 1,267 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | 279 | 210 |
| Year 12 cohort | 172 | 180 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | 30 | 28 |
| VCE study scores 40+ | 3.6% | 2.6% |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +3% | -3% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1016 | 1055 |
| ICSEA percentile | 54th | 70th |
| Top SEA quarter | 13% | 21% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 29% | 15% |
| Students per teacher | 12.7 | 11.0 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 115.4 | 114.8 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 44.8 | 73.3 |
| Language background other than English | 12% | 3% |
| Indigenous students | 3% | 5% |
| Suburb | Lake Gardens 3350 | Ballarat 3350 |
| Council area | Ballarat | Ballarat |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | www.ballaraths.vic.edu.au | www.stpats.vic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Patrick's College scores higher on the Success Index (68.3 vs 54.6).
- •St Patrick's College has the higher ICSEA (1055 vs 1016), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •St Patrick's College has fewer students per teacher (11.0 vs 12.7).
- •Ballarat High School is the larger school with 1,461 students compared with 1,267.
- •Ballarat High School has grown faster over five years (3% vs -3%).
- •Ballarat High School is a government school while St Patrick's College is a catholic 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 High School better than St Patrick's College?
On the Success Index, St Patrick's College ranks higher (68.3 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 High School and St Patrick's College?
About 1.4 km in a straight line, between Lake Gardens and Ballarat in Victoria.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Ballarat High School has 12.7 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Patrick's College has 11.0.
How do Ballarat High School and St Patrick's College rank in VIC?
Ballarat High School is 189th of 348 and St Patrick's College is 110th of 348 among secondary schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.