Barwon Valley School vs Jacana School for Autism
A head-to-head comparison of two special schools in Victoria, 75 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Barwon Valley School
Belmont · Government special · U
161 students · ICSEA 1004
Jacana School for Autism
Jacana · Government special · U
228 students · ICSEA 1005
| Measure | Barwon Valley School Belmont VIC | Jacana School for Autism Jacana VIC |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | – Not rated | – Not rated |
| State rank (type) | – | – |
| National rank (type) | – | – |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Special | Special |
| Year range | U | U |
| Students | 161 | 228 |
| Girls / boys | 53 / 108 | 45 / 183 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -17% | +2% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1004 | 1005 |
| ICSEA percentile | 49th | 49th |
| Top SEA quarter | 17% | 16% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 35% | 34% |
| Students per teacher | 4.1 | 5.1 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 39.2 | 43.9 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 55.9 | 64.9 |
| Language background other than English | 10% | 60% |
| Indigenous students | 7% | 4% |
| Suburb | Belmont 3216 | Jacana 3047 |
| Council area | Greater Geelong | Hume |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.barwonss.vic.edu.au | www.jacanaschoolforautism.vic.edu.au/ |
The verdict
- •Jacana School for Autism has the higher ICSEA (1005 vs 1004), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Barwon Valley School has fewer students per teacher (4.1 vs 5.1).
- •Jacana School for Autism is the larger school with 228 students compared with 161.
- •Jacana School for Autism has grown faster over five years (2% vs -17%).
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 Barwon Valley School better than Jacana School for Autism?
The two schools are very close on the Success Index. Differences in sector, size, year range and distance from home will matter more than the score.
How far apart are Barwon Valley School and Jacana School for Autism?
About 75 km in a straight line, between Belmont and Jacana in Victoria.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Barwon Valley School has 4.1 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Jacana School for Autism has 5.1.
How do Barwon Valley School and Jacana School for Autism rank in VIC?
Barwon Valley School is unranked and Jacana School for Autism is unranked among special schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.