Macksville High School vs St Mary's Primary School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 9.5 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Macksville High School
Macksville · Government high school · 7-12
365 students · ICSEA 916
St Mary's Primary School
Bowraville · Catholic primary · K-6
48 students · ICSEA 827
| Measure | Macksville High School Macksville NSW | St Mary's Primary School Bowraville NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 24 Lower 50% | 21 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #491 of 539 | – |
| National rank (type) | #1342 of 1,472 | – |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Secondary | Primary |
| Year range | 7-12 | K-6 |
| Students | 365 | 48 |
| Girls / boys | 180 / 185 | 20 / 28 |
| Foundation intake | – | 8 |
| Year 7 cohort | 50 | – |
| Year 12 cohort | 48 | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -27% | -2% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 916 | 827 |
| ICSEA percentile | 14th | 4th |
| Top SEA quarter | 5% | 1% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 57% | 63% |
| Students per teacher | 9.0 | 5.1 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 40.4 | 9.4 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 13.0 | 9.1 |
| Language background other than English | 5% | 0% |
| Indigenous students | 24% | 69% |
| Suburb | Macksville 2447 | Bowraville 2449 |
| Council area | Nambucca Valley | Nambucca Valley |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | macksville-h.schools.nsw.gov.au | www.bwpplism.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Macksville High School scores higher on the Success Index (23.6 vs 21.3).
- •Macksville High School has the higher ICSEA (916 vs 827), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •St Mary's Primary School has fewer students per teacher (5.1 vs 9.0).
- •Macksville High School is the larger school with 365 students compared with 48.
- •St Mary's Primary School has grown faster over five years (-2% vs -27%).
- •Macksville High School is a government school while St 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 Macksville High School better than St Mary's Primary School?
On the Success Index, Macksville High School ranks higher (23.6 vs 21.3 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 Macksville High School and St Mary's Primary School?
About 9.5 km in a straight line, between Macksville and Bowraville in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Macksville High School has 9.0 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Mary's Primary School has 5.1.
How do Macksville High School and St Mary's Primary School rank in NSW?
Macksville High School is 491st of 539 and St Mary's Primary School is unranked among secondary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.