Melonba High School vs St Luke's Catholic College (Secondary)
A head-to-head comparison of two secondary schools in New South Wales, 1.6 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Melonba High School
Melonba · Government high school · 7-12
704 students · ICSEA 1073
St Luke's Catholic College (Secondary)
Marsden Park · Catholic high school · 7-12
940 students · ICSEA 1088
| Measure | Melonba High School Melonba NSW | St Luke's Catholic College (Secondary) Marsden Park NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 68 Top 25% | 76 Top 25% |
| State rank (type) | #137 of 539 | #53 of 539 |
| National rank (type) | #334 of 1,472 | #150 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Secondary | Secondary |
| Year range | 7-12 | 7-12 |
| Students | 704 | 940 |
| Girls / boys | 311 / 393 | 486 / 454 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | 302 | 176 |
| Year 12 cohort | – | 105 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | – | +300% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1073 | 1088 |
| ICSEA percentile | 76th | 81th |
| Top SEA quarter | 33% | 35% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 14% | 9% |
| Students per teacher | 14.7 | 15.6 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 47.9 | 60.4 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 12.5 | 14.6 |
| Language background other than English | 84% | 72% |
| Indigenous students | 2% | 1% |
| Suburb | Melonba 2765 | Marsden Park 2765 |
| Council area | Blacktown | Blacktown |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | melonba-h.schools.nsw.gov.au | www.stlukesmarsdenpark.catholic.edu.au/ |
The verdict
- •St Luke's Catholic College (Secondary) scores higher on the Success Index (75.7 vs 67.8).
- •St Luke's Catholic College (Secondary) has the higher ICSEA (1088 vs 1073), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Melonba High School has fewer students per teacher (14.7 vs 15.6).
- •St Luke's Catholic College (Secondary) is the larger school with 940 students compared with 704.
- •Melonba High School is a government school while St Luke's Catholic College (Secondary) 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.
Free academic assessment
Torn between two schools? Start with your child.
Whichever you choose, a free Success Tutoring assessment shows exactly where your child is in English and Maths and how to get ahead before the next school year.
- Personalised learning plan mapped to the Australian Curriculum
- English & Maths from Kindergarten to Year 12
- Flexible memberships, no lock-in contracts
- Your nearest centre: Success Tutoring Riverstone
Frequently asked questions
Is Melonba High School better than St Luke's Catholic College (Secondary)?
On the Success Index, St Luke's Catholic College (Secondary) ranks higher (75.7 vs 67.8 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 Melonba High School and St Luke's Catholic College (Secondary)?
About 1.6 km in a straight line, between Melonba and Marsden Park in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Melonba High School has 14.7 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Luke's Catholic College (Secondary) has 15.6.
How do Melonba High School and St Luke's Catholic College (Secondary) rank in NSW?
Melonba High School is 137th of 539 and St Luke's Catholic College (Secondary) is 53rd of 539 among secondary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.