Armidale Secondary College vs St Mary's Primary School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 1.1 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Armidale Secondary College
Armidale · Government high school · 7-12
1,029 students · ICSEA 928
St Mary's Primary School
Armidale · Catholic primary · K-6
327 students · ICSEA 1038
| Measure | Armidale Secondary College Armidale NSW | St Mary's Primary School Armidale NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 28 Lower 50% | 55 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #447 of 539 | #753 of 1,619 |
| National rank (type) | #1220 of 1,472 | #2297 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Secondary | Primary |
| Year range | 7-12 | K-6 |
| Students | 1,029 | 327 |
| Girls / boys | 499 / 530 | 169 / 158 |
| Foundation intake | – | 49 |
| Year 7 cohort | 202 | – |
| Year 12 cohort | 106 | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -11% | +3% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 928 | 1038 |
| ICSEA percentile | 17th | 63th |
| Top SEA quarter | 14% | 25% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 47% | 17% |
| Students per teacher | 11.5 | 15.1 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 89.0 | 21.6 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 22.6 | 9.4 |
| Language background other than English | 23% | 20% |
| Indigenous students | 23% | 11% |
| Suburb | Armidale 2350 | Armidale 2350 |
| Council area | Armidale | Armidale |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | armidale-s.schools.nsw.gov.au | stmarysarmidale.catholic.edu.au/ |
The verdict
- •St Mary's Primary School scores higher on the Success Index (55.4 vs 28.4).
- •St Mary's Primary School has the higher ICSEA (1038 vs 928), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Armidale Secondary College has fewer students per teacher (11.5 vs 15.1).
- •Armidale Secondary College is the larger school with 1,029 students compared with 327.
- •St Mary's Primary School has grown faster over five years (3% vs -11%).
- •Armidale Secondary College is a government school while St Mary's Primary School 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.
Free academic assessment
Torn between two schools? Start with your child.
Whichever you choose, a free Success Tutoring assessment shows exactly where your child is in English and Maths and how to get ahead before the next school year.
- Personalised learning plan mapped to the Australian Curriculum
- English & Maths from Kindergarten to Year 12
- Flexible memberships, no lock-in contracts
- Your nearest centre: Success Tutoring Belmont
Frequently asked questions
Is Armidale Secondary College better than St Mary's Primary School?
On the Success Index, St Mary's Primary School ranks higher (55.4 vs 28.4 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 Armidale Secondary College and St Mary's Primary School?
About 1.1 km in a straight line, between Armidale and Armidale in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Armidale Secondary College has 11.5 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Mary's Primary School has 15.1.
How do Armidale Secondary College and St Mary's Primary School rank in NSW?
Armidale Secondary College is 447th of 539 and St Mary's Primary School is 753rd of 1,619 among secondary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.