Mount St Patrick College vs The Small School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 493 m apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Mount St Patrick College
Murwillumbah · Catholic high school · 7-12
823 students · ICSEA 1071
The Small School
Murwillumbah · Independent combined · K-10
67 students · ICSEA 1071
| Measure | Mount St Patrick College Murwillumbah NSW | The Small School Murwillumbah NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 76 Top 25% | 64 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #52 of 539 | – |
| National rank (type) | #147 of 1,472 | – |
| Sector | Catholic | Independent |
| Type | Secondary | Combined |
| Year range | 7-12 | K-10 |
| Students | 823 | 67 |
| Girls / boys | 428 / 395 | 35 / 32 |
| Foundation intake | – | 6 |
| Year 7 cohort | 163 | 6 |
| Year 12 cohort | 113 | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +2% | +168% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1071 | 1071 |
| ICSEA percentile | 76th | 76th |
| Top SEA quarter | 29% | 29% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 10% | 10% |
| Students per teacher | 11.5 | 10.8 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 71.5 | 6.2 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 25.0 | 6.4 |
| Language background other than English | 7% | 15% |
| Indigenous students | 5% | 3% |
| Suburb | Murwillumbah 2484 | Murwillumbah 2484 |
| Council area | Tweed | Tweed |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | www.mursclism.catholic.edu.au | www.thesmallschool.org.au/ |
The verdict
- •Mount St Patrick College scores higher on the Success Index (75.7 vs 63.8).
- •The Small School has fewer students per teacher (10.8 vs 11.5).
- •Mount St Patrick College is the larger school with 823 students compared with 67.
- •The Small School has grown faster over five years (168% vs 2%).
- •Mount St Patrick College is a catholic school while The Small School is an independent 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 Mount Gravatt East
Frequently asked questions
Is Mount St Patrick College better than The Small School?
On the Success Index, Mount St Patrick College ranks higher (75.7 vs 63.8 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 Mount St Patrick College and The Small School?
About 493 m in a straight line, between Murwillumbah and Murwillumbah in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Mount St Patrick College has 11.5 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and The Small School has 10.8.
How do Mount St Patrick College and The Small School rank in NSW?
Mount St Patrick College is 52nd of 539 and The Small School is unranked among secondary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.