Chatswood High School vs Mercy Catholic College
A head-to-head comparison of two secondary schools in New South Wales, 1.1 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Chatswood High School
Chatswood · Government high school · 7-12
2,147 students · ICSEA 1137
Mercy Catholic College
Chatswood · Catholic high school · 7-12
728 students · ICSEA 1134
| Measure | Chatswood High School Chatswood NSW | Mercy Catholic College Chatswood NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 81 Top 5% | 77 Top 10% |
| State rank (type) | #17 of 539 | #45 of 539 |
| National rank (type) | #57 of 1,472 | #119 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Secondary | Secondary |
| Year range | 7-12 | 7-12 |
| Students | 2,147 | 728 |
| Girls / boys | 766 / 1,381 | 728 / 0 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | 381 | 126 |
| Year 12 cohort | 302 | 125 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +37% | +3% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1137 | 1134 |
| ICSEA percentile | 93th | 92th |
| Top SEA quarter | 54% | 52% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 3% | 2% |
| Students per teacher | 15.6 | 12.9 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 137.4 | 56.4 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 26.0 | 11.5 |
| Language background other than English | 81% | 41% |
| Indigenous students | 0% | 0% |
| Suburb | Chatswood 2067 | Chatswood 2067 |
| Council area | Willoughby | Willoughby |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | chatswood-h.schools.nsw.gov.au | www.mercychatswood.nsw.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Chatswood High School scores higher on the Success Index (80.8 vs 76.7).
- •Chatswood High School has the higher ICSEA (1137 vs 1134), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Mercy Catholic College has fewer students per teacher (12.9 vs 15.6).
- •Chatswood High School is the larger school with 2,147 students compared with 728.
- •Chatswood High School has grown faster over five years (37% vs 3%).
- •Chatswood High School is a government school while Mercy Catholic 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 Chatswood High School better than Mercy Catholic College?
On the Success Index, Chatswood High School ranks higher (80.8 vs 76.7 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 Chatswood High School and Mercy Catholic College?
About 1.1 km in a straight line, between Chatswood and Chatswood in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Chatswood High School has 15.6 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Mercy Catholic College has 12.9.
How do Chatswood High School and Mercy Catholic College rank in NSW?
Chatswood High School is 17th of 539 and Mercy Catholic College is 45th of 539 among secondary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.