Fairhills High School vs Urban College
A head-to-head comparison of two secondary schools in Victoria, 2.4 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Fairhills High School
Knoxfield · Government high school · 7-12
404 students · ICSEA 994
Urban College
Boronia · Independent high school · 10-12
100 students · ICSEA 975
| Measure | Fairhills High School Knoxfield VIC | Urban College Boronia VIC |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 49 Lower 50% | 43 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #224 of 348 | #254 of 348 |
| National rank (type) | #770 of 1,472 | #892 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Government | Independent |
| Type | Secondary | Secondary |
| Year range | 7-12 | 10-12 |
| Students | 404 | 100 |
| Girls / boys | 175 / 229 | 51 / 49 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | 85 | – |
| Year 12 cohort | 46 | 25 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | 27 | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | 4.5% | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -14% | – |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 994 | 975 |
| ICSEA percentile | 44th | 35th |
| Top SEA quarter | 10% | 9% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 40% | 47% |
| Students per teacher | 10.0 | 11.4 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 40.0 | 8.8 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 18.8 | 9.9 |
| Language background other than English | 23% | 5% |
| Indigenous students | 2% | 6% |
| Suburb | Knoxfield 3180 | Boronia 3155 |
| Council area | Knox | Knox |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.fairhillshs.vic.edu.au | www.urbancollege.vic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Fairhills High School scores higher on the Success Index (48.5 vs 42.8).
- •Fairhills High School has the higher ICSEA (994 vs 975), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Fairhills High School has fewer students per teacher (10.0 vs 11.4).
- •Fairhills High School is the larger school with 404 students compared with 100.
- •Fairhills High School is a government school while Urban College is an independent 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 Fairhills High School better than Urban College?
On the Success Index, Fairhills High School ranks higher (48.5 vs 42.8 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 Fairhills High School and Urban College?
About 2.4 km in a straight line, between Knoxfield and Boronia in Victoria.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Fairhills High School has 10.0 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Urban College has 11.4.
How do Fairhills High School and Urban College rank in VIC?
Fairhills High School is 224th of 348 and Urban College is 254th of 348 among secondary schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.