Black Hill Primary School vs St Alipius' Parish School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in Victoria, 1.4 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Black Hill Primary School
Ballarat · Government primary · Prep-6
397 students · ICSEA 1042
St Alipius' Parish School
Ballarat East · Catholic primary · Prep-6
248 students · ICSEA 1052
| Measure | Black Hill Primary School Ballarat VIC | St Alipius' Parish School Ballarat East VIC |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 57 Top 50% | 66 Top 25% |
| State rank (type) | #734 of 1,290 | #512 of 1,290 |
| National rank (type) | #2190 of 4,908 | #1411 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | Prep-6 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 397 | 248 |
| Girls / boys | 200 / 197 | 140 / 108 |
| Foundation intake | 52 | 42 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -20% | -7% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1042 | 1052 |
| ICSEA percentile | 65th | 69th |
| Top SEA quarter | 23% | 19% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 23% | 16% |
| Students per teacher | 14.1 | 12.8 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 28.1 | 19.3 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 17.3 | 10.6 |
| Language background other than English | 6% | 11% |
| Indigenous students | 3% | 12% |
| Suburb | Ballarat 3350 | Ballarat East 3350 |
| Council area | Ballarat | Ballarat |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | www.blackhillps.vic.edu.au/ | www.saballarat.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Alipius' Parish School scores higher on the Success Index (65.6 vs 56.7).
- •St Alipius' Parish School has the higher ICSEA (1052 vs 1042), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •St Alipius' Parish School has fewer students per teacher (12.8 vs 14.1).
- •Black Hill Primary School is the larger school with 397 students compared with 248.
- •St Alipius' Parish School has grown faster over five years (-7% vs -20%).
- •Black Hill Primary School is a government school while St Alipius' Parish 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 Black Hill Primary School better than St Alipius' Parish School?
On the Success Index, St Alipius' Parish School ranks higher (65.6 vs 56.7 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 Black Hill Primary School and St Alipius' Parish School?
About 1.4 km in a straight line, between Ballarat and Ballarat East in Victoria.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Black Hill Primary School has 14.1 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Alipius' Parish School has 12.8.
How do Black Hill Primary School and St Alipius' Parish School rank in VIC?
Black Hill Primary School is 734th of 1,290 and St Alipius' Parish School is 512th of 1,290 among primary schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.