Merewether High School vs St Laurence Flexible Learning Centre
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 1.2 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Merewether High School
Broadmeadow · Government high school · 7-12
1,080 students · ICSEA 1206
St Laurence Flexible Learning Centre
Broadmeadow · Catholic special · U
47 students · ICSEA 869
| Measure | Merewether High School Broadmeadow NSW | St Laurence Flexible Learning Centre Broadmeadow NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 75 Top 25% | – Not rated |
| State rank (type) | #61 of 539 | – |
| National rank (type) | #168 of 1,472 | – |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Secondary | Special |
| Year range | 7-12 | U |
| Students | 1,080 | 47 |
| Girls / boys | 469 / 611 | 27 / 20 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | 180 | – |
| Year 12 cohort | 180 | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +1% | +12% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1206 | 869 |
| ICSEA percentile | 99th | 6th |
| Top SEA quarter | 73% | 3% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 1% | 66% |
| Students per teacher | 14.8 | 6.9 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 72.2 | 6.8 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 13.6 | 6.8 |
| Language background other than English | 34% | 0% |
| Indigenous students | 3% | 28% |
| Suburb | Broadmeadow 2292 | Broadmeadow 2292 |
| Council area | Newcastle | Newcastle |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | merewether-h.schools.nsw.gov.au | stlaurence.flexi.edu.au/ |
The verdict
- •Merewether High School has the higher ICSEA (1206 vs 869), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •St Laurence Flexible Learning Centre has fewer students per teacher (6.9 vs 14.8).
- •Merewether High School is the larger school with 1,080 students compared with 47.
- •St Laurence Flexible Learning Centre has grown faster over five years (12% vs 1%).
- •Merewether High School is a government school while St Laurence Flexible Learning Centre 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 Merewether High School better than St Laurence Flexible Learning Centre?
The two schools are very close on the Success Index. Differences in sector, size, year range and distance from home will matter more than the score.
How far apart are Merewether High School and St Laurence Flexible Learning Centre?
About 1.2 km in a straight line, between Broadmeadow and Broadmeadow in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Merewether High School has 14.8 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Laurence Flexible Learning Centre has 6.9.
How do Merewether High School and St Laurence Flexible Learning Centre rank in NSW?
Merewether High School is 61st of 539 and St Laurence Flexible Learning Centre is unranked among secondary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.