Buninyong Primary School vs Damascus College
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Victoria, 4.9 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Buninyong Primary School
Buninyong · Government primary · Prep-6
567 students · ICSEA 1044
Damascus College
Mount Clear · Catholic high school · 7-12
1,215 students · ICSEA 1052
| Measure | Buninyong Primary School Buninyong VIC | Damascus College Mount Clear VIC |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 54 Top 50% | 67 Top 25% |
| State rank (type) | #794 of 1,290 | #118 of 348 |
| National rank (type) | #2389 of 4,908 | #348 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Secondary |
| Year range | Prep-6 | 7-12 |
| Students | 567 | 1,215 |
| Girls / boys | 262 / 305 | 656 / 559 |
| Foundation intake | 66 | – |
| 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 | -17% | +9% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1044 | 1052 |
| ICSEA percentile | 66th | 69th |
| Top SEA quarter | 21% | 20% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 20% | 17% |
| Students per teacher | 14.6 | 11.7 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 38.7 | 104.1 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 17.5 | 61.9 |
| Language background other than English | 4% | 3% |
| Indigenous students | 2% | 2% |
| Suburb | Buninyong 3357 | Mount Clear 3350 |
| Council area | Ballarat | Ballarat |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | www.buninyongps.vic.edu.au | www.damascus.vic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Damascus College scores higher on the Success Index (67.4 vs 54.2).
- •Damascus College has the higher ICSEA (1052 vs 1044), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Damascus College has fewer students per teacher (11.7 vs 14.6).
- •Damascus College is the larger school with 1,215 students compared with 567.
- •Damascus College has grown faster over five years (9% vs -17%).
- •Buninyong Primary School is a government 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 Buninyong Primary School better than Damascus College?
On the Success Index, Damascus College ranks higher (67.4 vs 54.2 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 Buninyong Primary School and Damascus College?
About 4.9 km in a straight line, between Buninyong and Mount Clear in Victoria.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Buninyong Primary School has 14.6 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Damascus College has 11.7.
How do Buninyong Primary School and Damascus College rank in VIC?
Buninyong Primary School is 794th of 1,290 and Damascus College is 118th of 348 among primary schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.