Mercy Catholic College vs Willoughby Girls High School
A head-to-head comparison of two secondary schools in New South Wales, 1.8 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Mercy Catholic College
Chatswood · Catholic high school · 7-12
728 students · ICSEA 1134
Willoughby Girls High School
Willoughby · Government high school · 7-12
1,036 students · ICSEA 1152
| Measure | Mercy Catholic College Chatswood NSW | Willoughby Girls High School Willoughby NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 77 Top 10% | 80 Top 10% |
| State rank (type) | #45 of 539 | #21 of 539 |
| National rank (type) | #119 of 1,472 | #70 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Catholic | Government |
| Type | Secondary | Secondary |
| Year range | 7-12 | 7-12 |
| Students | 728 | 1,036 |
| Girls / boys | 728 / 0 | 1,036 / 0 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | 126 | 176 |
| Year 12 cohort | 125 | 147 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +3% | +7% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1134 | 1152 |
| ICSEA percentile | 92th | 96th |
| Top SEA quarter | 52% | 61% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 2% | 2% |
| Students per teacher | 12.9 | 14.0 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 56.4 | 73.7 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 11.5 | 16.2 |
| Language background other than English | 41% | 65% |
| Indigenous students | 0% | 0% |
| Suburb | Chatswood 2067 | Willoughby 2068 |
| Council area | Willoughby | Willoughby |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.mercychatswood.nsw.edu.au | willoughbg-h.schools.nsw.gov.au |
The verdict
- •Willoughby Girls High School scores higher on the Success Index (79.9 vs 76.7).
- •Willoughby Girls High School has the higher ICSEA (1152 vs 1134), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Mercy Catholic College has fewer students per teacher (12.9 vs 14.0).
- •Willoughby Girls High School is the larger school with 1,036 students compared with 728.
- •Mercy Catholic College is a catholic school while Willoughby Girls 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 Mercy Catholic College better than Willoughby Girls High School?
On the Success Index, Willoughby Girls High School ranks higher (79.9 vs 76.7 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 Mercy Catholic College and Willoughby Girls High School?
About 1.8 km in a straight line, between Chatswood and Willoughby in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Mercy Catholic College has 12.9 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Willoughby Girls High School has 14.0.
How do Mercy Catholic College and Willoughby Girls High School rank in NSW?
Mercy Catholic College is 45th of 539 and Willoughby Girls High School is 21st of 539 among secondary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.