Damascus College vs St James' School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Victoria, 2.8 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
St James' School
Sebastopol · Catholic primary · Prep-6
166 students · ICSEA 1034
| Measure | Damascus College Mount Clear VIC | St James' School Sebastopol VIC |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 67 Top 25% | 56 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #118 of 348 | #759 of 1,290 |
| National rank (type) | #348 of 1,472 | #2269 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Catholic | Catholic |
| Type | Secondary | Primary |
| Year range | 7-12 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 1,215 | 166 |
| Girls / boys | 656 / 559 | 85 / 81 |
| Foundation intake | – | 35 |
| 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% | -8% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1052 | 1034 |
| ICSEA percentile | 69th | 61th |
| Top SEA quarter | 20% | 17% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 17% | 26% |
| Students per teacher | 11.7 | 13.8 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 104.1 | 12.0 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 61.9 | 7.0 |
| Language background other than English | 3% | 7% |
| Indigenous students | 2% | 5% |
| Suburb | Mount Clear 3350 | Sebastopol 3356 |
| Council area | Ballarat | Ballarat |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | www.damascus.vic.edu.au | www.sjsebastopol.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Damascus College scores higher on the Success Index (67.4 vs 55.8).
- •Damascus College has the higher ICSEA (1052 vs 1034), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Damascus College has fewer students per teacher (11.7 vs 13.8).
- •Damascus College is the larger school with 1,215 students compared with 166.
- •Damascus College has grown faster over five years (9% vs -8%).
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 St James' School?
On the Success Index, Damascus College ranks higher (67.4 vs 55.8 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 St James' School?
About 2.8 km in a straight line, between Mount Clear and Sebastopol in Victoria.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Damascus College has 11.7 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St James' School has 13.8.
How do Damascus College and St James' School rank in VIC?
Damascus College is 118th of 348 and St James' School is 759th of 1,290 among secondary schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.