Damascus College vs St Joseph's College
A head-to-head comparison of two secondary schools in Victoria, 129 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 Joseph's College
Ferntree Gully · Catholic high school · 7-12
991 students · ICSEA 1052
| Measure | Damascus College Mount Clear VIC | St Joseph's College Ferntree Gully VIC |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 67 Top 25% | 68 Top 25% |
| State rank (type) | #118 of 348 | #114 of 348 |
| National rank (type) | #348 of 1,472 | #341 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Catholic | Catholic |
| Type | Secondary | Secondary |
| Year range | 7-12 | 7-12 |
| Students | 1,215 | 991 |
| Girls / boys | 656 / 559 | 0 / 991 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | 234 | 206 |
| Year 12 cohort | 158 | 123 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | 30 | 30 |
| VCE study scores 40+ | 5.4% | 6.9% |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +9% | +3% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1052 | 1052 |
| ICSEA percentile | 69th | 69th |
| Top SEA quarter | 20% | 16% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 17% | 13% |
| Students per teacher | 11.7 | 11.5 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 104.1 | 86.1 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 61.9 | 27.8 |
| Language background other than English | 3% | 4% |
| Indigenous students | 2% | 0% |
| Suburb | Mount Clear 3350 | Ferntree Gully 3156 |
| Council area | Ballarat | Knox |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Major Cities |
| Website | www.damascus.vic.edu.au | www.stjosephs.com.au |
The verdict
- •Both schools have almost identical Success Index scores (67.4 vs 67.6).
- •Damascus College is the larger school with 1,215 students compared with 991.
- •Damascus College has grown faster over five years (9% vs 3%).
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 Joseph's College?
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 Damascus College and St Joseph's College?
About 129 km in a straight line, between Mount Clear and Ferntree Gully in Victoria.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Damascus College has 11.7 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Joseph's College has 11.5.
How do Damascus College and St Joseph's College rank in VIC?
Damascus College is 118th of 348 and St Joseph's College is 114th of 348 among secondary schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.