Box Hill High School vs St Thomas the Apostle School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Victoria, 1.8 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Box Hill High School
Box Hill · Government high school · 7-12
1,547 students · ICSEA 1123
St Thomas the Apostle School
Blackburn · Catholic primary · Prep-6
185 students · ICSEA 1130
| Measure | Box Hill High School Box Hill VIC | St Thomas the Apostle School Blackburn VIC |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 76 Top 25% | 78 Top 10% |
| State rank (type) | #68 of 348 | #165 of 1,290 |
| National rank (type) | #151 of 1,472 | #316 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Secondary | Primary |
| Year range | 7-12 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 1,547 | 185 |
| Girls / boys | 668 / 879 | 97 / 88 |
| Foundation intake | – | 18 |
| Year 7 cohort | 261 | – |
| Year 12 cohort | 231 | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | 32 | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | 11.7% | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +12% | -38% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1123 | 1130 |
| ICSEA percentile | 90th | 91th |
| Top SEA quarter | 50% | 51% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 7% | 3% |
| Students per teacher | 13.0 | 12.4 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 118.7 | 14.9 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 32.1 | 6.0 |
| Language background other than English | 67% | 15% |
| Indigenous students | 0% | 0% |
| Suburb | Box Hill 3128 | Blackburn 3130 |
| Council area | Whitehorse | Whitehorse |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.boxhillhs.vic.edu.au | www.stblackburn.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Thomas the Apostle School scores higher on the Success Index (78.2 vs 75.6).
- •St Thomas the Apostle School has the higher ICSEA (1130 vs 1123), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •St Thomas the Apostle School has fewer students per teacher (12.4 vs 13.0).
- •Box Hill High School is the larger school with 1,547 students compared with 185.
- •Box Hill High School has grown faster over five years (12% vs -38%).
- •Box Hill High School is a government school while St Thomas the Apostle 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 Box Hill High School better than St Thomas the Apostle School?
On the Success Index, St Thomas the Apostle School ranks higher (78.2 vs 75.6 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 Box Hill High School and St Thomas the Apostle School?
About 1.8 km in a straight line, between Box Hill and Blackburn in Victoria.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Box Hill High School has 13.0 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Thomas the Apostle School has 12.4.
How do Box Hill High School and St Thomas the Apostle School rank in VIC?
Box Hill High School is 68th of 348 and St Thomas the Apostle School is 165th of 1,290 among secondary schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.