Ballarat North Primary School vs St Columba's School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in Victoria, 689 m apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Ballarat North Primary School
Ballarat · Government primary · Prep-6
330 students · ICSEA 1002
St Columba's School
Ballarat North · Catholic primary · Prep-6
334 students · ICSEA 1090
| Measure | Ballarat North Primary School Ballarat VIC | St Columba's School Ballarat North VIC |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 43 Lower 50% | 70 Top 25% |
| State rank (type) | #1029 of 1,290 | #420 of 1,290 |
| National rank (type) | #3234 of 4,908 | #1051 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | Prep-6 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 330 | 334 |
| Girls / boys | 145 / 185 | 161 / 173 |
| Foundation intake | 41 | 49 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -15% | +2% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1002 | 1090 |
| ICSEA percentile | 48th | 81th |
| Top SEA quarter | 12% | 36% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 35% | 10% |
| Students per teacher | 13.6 | 15.0 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 24.2 | 22.3 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 11.5 | 11.4 |
| Language background other than English | 8% | 1% |
| Indigenous students | 3% | 1% |
| Suburb | Ballarat 3350 | Ballarat North 3350 |
| Council area | Ballarat | Ballarat |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | www.ballaratnthps.vic.edu.au | www.scballarat.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Columba's School scores higher on the Success Index (69.6 vs 42.8).
- •St Columba's School has the higher ICSEA (1090 vs 1002), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Ballarat North Primary School has fewer students per teacher (13.6 vs 15.0).
- •St Columba's School is the larger school with 334 students compared with 330.
- •St Columba's School has grown faster over five years (2% vs -15%).
- •Ballarat North Primary School is a government school while St Columba's 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.
Free academic assessment
Torn between two schools? Start with your child.
Whichever you choose, a free Success Tutoring assessment shows exactly where your child is in English and Maths and how to get ahead before the next school year.
- Personalised learning plan mapped to the Australian Curriculum
- English & Maths from Kindergarten to Year 12
- Flexible memberships, no lock-in contracts
- Your nearest centre: Success Tutoring Wyndham Vale
Frequently asked questions
Is Ballarat North Primary School better than St Columba's School?
On the Success Index, St Columba's School ranks higher (69.6 vs 42.8 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 North Primary School and St Columba's School?
About 689 m in a straight line, between Ballarat and Ballarat North in Victoria.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Ballarat North Primary School has 13.6 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Columba's School has 15.0.
How do Ballarat North Primary School and St Columba's School rank in VIC?
Ballarat North Primary School is 1029th of 1,290 and St Columba's School is 420th of 1,290 among primary schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.