Gunnedah High School vs St Mary's 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.
Gunnedah High School
Gunnedah · Government high school · 7-12
438 students · ICSEA 820
St Mary's College
Gunnedah · Catholic high school · 7-12
411 students · ICSEA 976
| Measure | Gunnedah High School Gunnedah NSW | St Mary's College Gunnedah NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 23 Lower 50% | 48 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #496 of 539 | #289 of 539 |
| National rank (type) | #1355 of 1,472 | #780 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Secondary | Secondary |
| Year range | 7-12 | 7-12 |
| Students | 438 | 411 |
| Girls / boys | 221 / 217 | 221 / 190 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | 88 | 91 |
| Year 12 cohort | 34 | 40 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +1% | +11% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 820 | 976 |
| ICSEA percentile | 3th | 36th |
| Top SEA quarter | 2% | 10% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 73% | 34% |
| Students per teacher | 8.4 | 10.6 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 52.4 | 38.6 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 17.6 | 18.1 |
| Language background other than English | 6% | 3% |
| Indigenous students | 53% | 17% |
| Suburb | Gunnedah 2380 | Gunnedah 2380 |
| Council area | Gunnedah | Gunnedah |
| Remoteness | Outer Regional | Outer Regional |
| Website | gunnedah-h.schools.nsw.gov.au | stmaryscollege.nsw.edu.au/ |
The verdict
- •St Mary's College scores higher on the Success Index (47.8 vs 23.2).
- •St Mary's College has the higher ICSEA (976 vs 820), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Gunnedah High School has fewer students per teacher (8.4 vs 10.6).
- •Gunnedah High School is the larger school with 438 students compared with 411.
- •St Mary's College has grown faster over five years (11% vs 1%).
- •Gunnedah High School is a government school while St Mary's 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 Gunnedah High School better than St Mary's College?
On the Success Index, St Mary's College ranks higher (47.8 vs 23.2 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 Gunnedah High School and St Mary's College?
About 1.1 km in a straight line, between Gunnedah and Gunnedah in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Gunnedah High School has 8.4 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Mary's College has 10.6.
How do Gunnedah High School and St Mary's College rank in NSW?
Gunnedah High School is 496th of 539 and St Mary's College is 289th of 539 among secondary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.