Hilltop Road Public School vs St Margaret Mary's Primary School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in New South Wales, 1.4 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Hilltop Road Public School
Merrylands · Government primary · K-6
762 students · ICSEA 971
St Margaret Mary's Primary School
Merrylands · Catholic primary · K-6
574 students · ICSEA 1050
| Measure | Hilltop Road Public School Merrylands NSW | St Margaret Mary's Primary School Merrylands NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 35 Lower 50% | 59 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #1211 of 1,619 | #660 of 1,619 |
| National rank (type) | #3773 of 4,908 | #2012 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | K-6 | K-6 |
| Students | 762 | 574 |
| Girls / boys | 373 / 389 | 307 / 267 |
| Foundation intake | 107 | 95 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -3% | +1% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 971 | 1050 |
| ICSEA percentile | 34th | 68th |
| Top SEA quarter | 8% | 20% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 45% | 19% |
| Students per teacher | 15.6 | 16.6 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 48.8 | 34.6 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 4.7 | 7.2 |
| Language background other than English | 82% | 70% |
| Indigenous students | 3% | 1% |
| Suburb | Merrylands 2160 | Merrylands 2160 |
| Council area | Cumberland | Cumberland |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | hilltoprd-p.schools.nsw.gov.au | www.stmmmerrylands.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Margaret Mary's Primary School scores higher on the Success Index (59.0 vs 35.0).
- •St Margaret Mary's Primary School has the higher ICSEA (1050 vs 971), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Hilltop Road Public School has fewer students per teacher (15.6 vs 16.6).
- •Hilltop Road Public School is the larger school with 762 students compared with 574.
- •Hilltop Road Public School is a government school while St Margaret 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.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Hilltop Road Public School better than St Margaret Mary's Primary School?
On the Success Index, St Margaret Mary's Primary School ranks higher (59.0 vs 35.0 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 Hilltop Road Public School and St Margaret Mary's Primary School?
About 1.4 km in a straight line, between Merrylands and Merrylands in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Hilltop Road Public School has 15.6 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Margaret Mary's Primary School has 16.6.
How do Hilltop Road Public School and St Margaret Mary's Primary School rank in NSW?
Hilltop Road Public School is 1211th of 1,619 and St Margaret Mary's Primary School is 660th of 1,619 among primary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.