La Salle Academy Lithgow vs St Mary's College
A head-to-head comparison of two secondary schools in New South Wales, 280 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
La Salle Academy Lithgow
Lithgow · Catholic high school · 7-12
230 students · ICSEA 980
St Mary's College
Gunnedah · Catholic high school · 7-12
411 students · ICSEA 976
| Measure | La Salle Academy Lithgow Lithgow NSW | St Mary's College Gunnedah NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 48 Lower 50% | 48 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #292 of 539 | #289 of 539 |
| National rank (type) | #786 of 1,472 | #780 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Catholic | Catholic |
| Type | Secondary | Secondary |
| Year range | 7-12 | 7-12 |
| Students | 230 | 411 |
| Girls / boys | 125 / 105 | 221 / 190 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | 43 | 91 |
| Year 12 cohort | 23 | 40 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +0% | +11% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 980 | 976 |
| ICSEA percentile | 37th | 36th |
| Top SEA quarter | 9% | 10% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 40% | 34% |
| Students per teacher | 8.5 | 10.6 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 27.1 | 38.6 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 13.6 | 18.1 |
| Language background other than English | 2% | 3% |
| Indigenous students | 12% | 17% |
| Suburb | Lithgow 2790 | Gunnedah 2380 |
| Council area | Lithgow | Gunnedah |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Outer Regional |
| Website | www.lasalleacademy.catholic.edu.au/Home | stmaryscollege.nsw.edu.au/ |
The verdict
- •Both schools have almost identical Success Index scores (47.6 vs 47.8).
- •La Salle Academy Lithgow has the higher ICSEA (980 vs 976), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •La Salle Academy Lithgow has fewer students per teacher (8.5 vs 10.6).
- •St Mary's College is the larger school with 411 students compared with 230.
- •St Mary's College has grown faster over five years (11% vs 0%).
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 La Salle Academy Lithgow better than St Mary's College?
The two schools are very close on the Success Index. Differences in sector, size, year range and distance from home will matter more than the score.
How far apart are La Salle Academy Lithgow and St Mary's College?
About 280 km in a straight line, between Lithgow and Gunnedah in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
La Salle Academy Lithgow has 8.5 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Mary's College has 10.6.
How do La Salle Academy Lithgow and St Mary's College rank in NSW?
La Salle Academy Lithgow is 292nd of 539 and St Mary's College is 289th of 539 among secondary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.