Ballarat High School vs St Thomas More School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Victoria, 1.6 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 Thomas More School
Alfredton · Catholic primary · Prep-6
431 students · ICSEA 1087
| Measure | Ballarat High School Lake Gardens VIC | St Thomas More School Alfredton VIC |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 55 Top 50% | 68 Top 25% |
| State rank (type) | #189 of 348 | #457 of 1,290 |
| National rank (type) | #639 of 1,472 | #1189 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Secondary | Primary |
| Year range | 7-12 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 1,461 | 431 |
| Girls / boys | 762 / 699 | 208 / 223 |
| Foundation intake | – | 65 |
| 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 | 1087 |
| ICSEA percentile | 54th | 81th |
| Top SEA quarter | 13% | 32% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 29% | 8% |
| Students per teacher | 12.7 | 17.4 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 115.4 | 24.7 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 44.8 | 15.1 |
| Language background other than English | 12% | 17% |
| Indigenous students | 3% | 1% |
| Suburb | Lake Gardens 3350 | Alfredton 3350 |
| Council area | Ballarat | Ballarat |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | www.ballaraths.vic.edu.au | www.stmalfredton.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Thomas More School scores higher on the Success Index (68.2 vs 54.6).
- •St Thomas More School has the higher ICSEA (1087 vs 1016), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Ballarat High School has fewer students per teacher (12.7 vs 17.4).
- •Ballarat High School is the larger school with 1,461 students compared with 431.
- •Ballarat High School is a government school while St Thomas More School 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 Thomas More School?
On the Success Index, St Thomas More School ranks higher (68.2 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 Thomas More School?
About 1.6 km in a straight line, between Lake Gardens and Alfredton in Victoria.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Ballarat High School has 12.7 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Thomas More School has 17.4.
How do Ballarat High School and St Thomas More School rank in VIC?
Ballarat High School is 189th of 348 and St Thomas More School is 457th of 1,290 among secondary schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.