Lake Albert Public School vs Mater Dei Catholic College
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 1.5 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Lake Albert Public School
Lake Albert · Government primary · K-6
434 students · ICSEA 963
Mater Dei Catholic College
Lake Albert · Catholic high school · 7-12
749 students · ICSEA 1050
| Measure | Lake Albert Public School Lake Albert NSW | Mater Dei Catholic College Lake Albert NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 27 Lower 50% | 63 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #1439 of 1,619 | #179 of 539 |
| National rank (type) | #4385 of 4,908 | #446 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Secondary |
| Year range | K-6 | 7-12 |
| Students | 434 | 749 |
| Girls / boys | 200 / 234 | 392 / 357 |
| Foundation intake | 61 | – |
| Year 7 cohort | – | 138 |
| Year 12 cohort | – | 94 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -14% | +6% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 963 | 1050 |
| ICSEA percentile | 30th | 68th |
| Top SEA quarter | 7% | 24% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 39% | 16% |
| Students per teacher | 17.3 | 13.4 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 25.1 | 56.1 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 4.6 | 28.5 |
| Language background other than English | 5% | 11% |
| Indigenous students | 15% | 5% |
| Suburb | Lake Albert 2650 | Lake Albert 2650 |
| Council area | Wagga Wagga | Wagga Wagga |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | lakealbert-p.schools.nsw.gov.au | www.mdccww.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Mater Dei Catholic College scores higher on the Success Index (62.6 vs 26.6).
- •Mater Dei Catholic College has the higher ICSEA (1050 vs 963), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Mater Dei Catholic College has fewer students per teacher (13.4 vs 17.3).
- •Mater Dei Catholic College is the larger school with 749 students compared with 434.
- •Mater Dei Catholic College has grown faster over five years (6% vs -14%).
- •Lake Albert Public School is a government school while Mater Dei 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 Lake Albert Public School better than Mater Dei Catholic College?
On the Success Index, Mater Dei Catholic College ranks higher (62.6 vs 26.6 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 Lake Albert Public School and Mater Dei Catholic College?
About 1.5 km in a straight line, between Lake Albert and Lake Albert in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Lake Albert Public School has 17.3 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Mater Dei Catholic College has 13.4.
How do Lake Albert Public School and Mater Dei Catholic College rank in NSW?
Lake Albert Public School is 1439th of 1,619 and Mater Dei Catholic College is 179th of 539 among primary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.