Mary MacKillop Catholic College vs Prairiewood High School
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.
Mary MacKillop Catholic College
Wakeley · Catholic high school · 7-12
843 students · ICSEA 935
Prairiewood High School
Prairiewood · Government high school · 7-12
1,288 students · ICSEA 978
| Measure | Mary MacKillop Catholic College Wakeley NSW | Prairiewood High School Prairiewood NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 23 Lower 50% | 42 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #499 of 539 | #326 of 539 |
| National rank (type) | #1360 of 1,472 | #898 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Catholic | Government |
| Type | Secondary | Secondary |
| Year range | 7-12 | 7-12 |
| Students | 843 | 1,288 |
| Girls / boys | 843 / 0 | 611 / 677 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | 151 | 218 |
| Year 12 cohort | 132 | 213 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -6% | +4% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 935 | 978 |
| ICSEA percentile | 20th | 37th |
| Top SEA quarter | 5% | 11% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 58% | 44% |
| Students per teacher | 13.6 | 13.5 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 62.2 | 95.4 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 20.3 | 19.8 |
| Language background other than English | 96% | 86% |
| Indigenous students | 0% | 2% |
| Suburb | Wakeley 2176 | Prairiewood 2176 |
| Council area | Fairfield | Fairfield |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | mmcwakeley.syd.catholic.edu.au | prairiewoo-h.schools.nsw.gov.au |
The verdict
- •Prairiewood High School scores higher on the Success Index (42.2 vs 23.1).
- •Prairiewood High School has the higher ICSEA (978 vs 935), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Prairiewood High School is the larger school with 1,288 students compared with 843.
- •Prairiewood High School has grown faster over five years (4% vs -6%).
- •Mary MacKillop Catholic College is a catholic school while Prairiewood High School is a government 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 Mary MacKillop Catholic College better than Prairiewood High School?
On the Success Index, Prairiewood High School ranks higher (42.2 vs 23.1 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 Mary MacKillop Catholic College and Prairiewood High School?
About 1.1 km in a straight line, between Wakeley and Prairiewood in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Mary MacKillop Catholic College has 13.6 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Prairiewood High School has 13.5.
How do Mary MacKillop Catholic College and Prairiewood High School rank in NSW?
Mary MacKillop Catholic College is 499th of 539 and Prairiewood High School is 326th of 539 among secondary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.