Damascus College vs Magpie Primary School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Victoria, 2.5 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Damascus College
Mount Clear · Catholic high school · 7-12
1,215 students · ICSEA 1052
Magpie Primary School
Magpie · Government primary · Prep-6
103 students · ICSEA 923
| Measure | Damascus College Mount Clear VIC | Magpie Primary School Magpie VIC |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 67 Top 25% | 32 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #118 of 348 | #1204 of 1,290 |
| National rank (type) | #348 of 1,472 | #3983 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Catholic | Government |
| Type | Secondary | Primary |
| Year range | 7-12 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 1,215 | 103 |
| Girls / boys | 656 / 559 | 45 / 58 |
| Foundation intake | – | 15 |
| 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 | +9% | +4% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1052 | 923 |
| ICSEA percentile | 69th | 16th |
| Top SEA quarter | 20% | 5% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 17% | 57% |
| Students per teacher | 11.7 | 11.0 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 104.1 | 9.4 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 61.9 | 10.0 |
| Language background other than English | 3% | 2% |
| Indigenous students | 2% | 20% |
| Suburb | Mount Clear 3350 | Magpie 3352 |
| Council area | Ballarat | Ballarat |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | www.damascus.vic.edu.au | www.magpieps.vic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Damascus College scores higher on the Success Index (67.4 vs 32.0).
- •Damascus College has the higher ICSEA (1052 vs 923), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Magpie Primary School has fewer students per teacher (11.0 vs 11.7).
- •Damascus College is the larger school with 1,215 students compared with 103.
- •Damascus College is a catholic school while Magpie Primary School is a government 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 Damascus College better than Magpie Primary School?
On the Success Index, Damascus College ranks higher (67.4 vs 32.0 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 Damascus College and Magpie Primary School?
About 2.5 km in a straight line, between Mount Clear and Magpie in Victoria.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Damascus College has 11.7 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Magpie Primary School has 11.0.
How do Damascus College and Magpie Primary School rank in VIC?
Damascus College is 118th of 348 and Magpie Primary School is 1204th of 1,290 among secondary schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.