Calwell High School vs St Mary MacKillop College
A head-to-head comparison of two secondary schools in Australian Capital Territory, 2.9 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Calwell High School
Calwell · Government high school · 7-10
371 students · ICSEA 972
St Mary MacKillop College
Isabella Plains · Catholic high school · 7-12
2,088 students · ICSEA 1068
| Measure | Calwell High School Calwell ACT | St Mary MacKillop College Isabella Plains ACT |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 38 Lower 50% | 68 Top 25% |
| State rank (type) | #27 of 27 | #20 of 27 |
| National rank (type) | #989 of 1,472 | #338 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Secondary | Secondary |
| Year range | 7-10 | 7-12 |
| Students | 371 | 2,088 |
| Girls / boys | 190 / 181 | 1,112 / 976 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | 102 | 359 |
| Year 12 cohort | – | 306 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -8% | +13% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 972 | 1068 |
| ICSEA percentile | 34th | 75th |
| Top SEA quarter | 8% | 27% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 42% | 10% |
| Students per teacher | 12.0 | 13.8 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 31.0 | 150.9 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 23.8 | 61.0 |
| Language background other than English | 20% | 8% |
| Indigenous students | 13% | 4% |
| Suburb | Calwell 2905 | Isabella Plains 2905 |
| Council area | Unincorporated ACT | Unincorporated ACT |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.calwellhs.act.edu.au/ | www.mackillop.act.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Mary MacKillop College scores higher on the Success Index (67.7 vs 38.3).
- •St Mary MacKillop College has the higher ICSEA (1068 vs 972), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Calwell High School has fewer students per teacher (12.0 vs 13.8).
- •St Mary MacKillop College is the larger school with 2,088 students compared with 371.
- •St Mary MacKillop College has grown faster over five years (13% vs -8%).
- •Calwell High School is a government school while St Mary MacKillop 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 Calwell High School better than St Mary MacKillop College?
On the Success Index, St Mary MacKillop College ranks higher (67.7 vs 38.3 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 Calwell High School and St Mary MacKillop College?
About 2.9 km in a straight line, between Calwell and Isabella Plains in Australian Capital Territory.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Calwell High School has 12.0 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Mary MacKillop College has 13.8.
How do Calwell High School and St Mary MacKillop College rank in ACT?
Calwell High School is 27th of 27 and St Mary MacKillop College is 20th of 27 among secondary schools in Australian Capital Territory on the 2025 Success Index.