Ballarat Steiner School vs Damascus College
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Victoria, 3.3 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Ballarat Steiner School
Mount Helen · Independent primary · Prep-6
64 students · ICSEA 1076
Damascus College
Mount Clear · Catholic high school · 7-12
1,215 students · ICSEA 1052
| Measure | Ballarat Steiner School Mount Helen VIC | Damascus College Mount Clear VIC |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 69 Top 25% | 67 Top 25% |
| State rank (type) | – | #118 of 348 |
| National rank (type) | – | #348 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Independent | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Secondary |
| Year range | Prep-6 | 7-12 |
| Students | 64 | 1,215 |
| Girls / boys | 37 / 27 | 656 / 559 |
| Foundation intake | 14 | – |
| Year 7 cohort | – | 234 |
| Year 12 cohort | – | 158 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | 30 |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | 5.4% |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -33% | +9% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1076 | 1052 |
| ICSEA percentile | 77th | 69th |
| Top SEA quarter | 31% | 20% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 11% | 17% |
| Students per teacher | 6.8 | 11.7 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 9.3 | 104.1 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 5.0 | 61.9 |
| Language background other than English | 14% | 3% |
| Indigenous students | 3% | 2% |
| Suburb | Mount Helen 3350 | Mount Clear 3350 |
| Council area | Ballarat | Ballarat |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | www.ballaratsteinerschool.com.au | www.damascus.vic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Ballarat Steiner School scores higher on the Success Index (68.6 vs 67.4).
- •Ballarat Steiner School has the higher ICSEA (1076 vs 1052), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Ballarat Steiner School has fewer students per teacher (6.8 vs 11.7).
- •Damascus College is the larger school with 1,215 students compared with 64.
- •Damascus College has grown faster over five years (9% vs -33%).
- •Ballarat Steiner School is a independent school while Damascus 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 Steiner School better than Damascus College?
On the Success Index, Ballarat Steiner School ranks higher (68.6 vs 67.4 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 Steiner School and Damascus College?
About 3.3 km in a straight line, between Mount Helen and Mount Clear in Victoria.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Ballarat Steiner School has 6.8 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Damascus College has 11.7.
How do Ballarat Steiner School and Damascus College rank in VIC?
Ballarat Steiner School is unranked and Damascus College is 118th of 348 among primary schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.