Brauer Secondary College vs Merri River School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Victoria, 1.7 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Brauer Secondary College
Warrnambool · Government high school · 7-12
866 students · ICSEA 982
Merri River School
Warrnambool · Government special · U
189 students · ICSEA 921
| Measure | Brauer Secondary College Warrnambool VIC | Merri River School Warrnambool VIC |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 44 Lower 50% | – Not rated |
| State rank (type) | #250 of 348 | – |
| National rank (type) | #871 of 1,472 | – |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Secondary | Special |
| Year range | 7-12 | U |
| Students | 866 | 189 |
| Girls / boys | 394 / 472 | 63 / 126 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | 179 | – |
| Year 12 cohort | 112 | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | 30 | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | 5.5% | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +7% | +11% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 982 | 921 |
| ICSEA percentile | 38th | 15th |
| Top SEA quarter | 10% | 10% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 43% | 58% |
| Students per teacher | 11.7 | 5.2 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 73.9 | 35.9 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 36.5 | 38.7 |
| Language background other than English | 8% | 3% |
| Indigenous students | 4% | 16% |
| Suburb | Warrnambool 3280 | Warrnambool 3280 |
| Council area | Warrnambool | Warrnambool |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | www.brauer.vic.edu.au/ | merrirs.vic.edu.au/ |
The verdict
- •Brauer Secondary College has the higher ICSEA (982 vs 921), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Merri River School has fewer students per teacher (5.2 vs 11.7).
- •Brauer Secondary College is the larger school with 866 students compared with 189.
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 Brauer Secondary College better than Merri River School?
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 Brauer Secondary College and Merri River School?
About 1.7 km in a straight line, between Warrnambool and Warrnambool in Victoria.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Brauer Secondary College has 11.7 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Merri River School has 5.2.
How do Brauer Secondary College and Merri River School rank in VIC?
Brauer Secondary College is 250th of 348 and Merri River School is unranked among secondary schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.