Northern Beaches Secondary College Mackellar Girls Campus vs Stella Maris College
A head-to-head comparison of two secondary schools in New South Wales, 1.3 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Northern Beaches Secondary College Mackellar Girls Campus
Manly Vale · Government high school · 7-12
1,023 students · ICSEA 1115
Stella Maris College
Manly · Independent high school · 7-12
1,006 students · ICSEA 1135
| Measure | Northern Beaches Secondary College Mackellar Girls Campus Manly Vale NSW | Stella Maris College Manly NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 68 Top 25% | 87 Top 5% |
| State rank (type) | #140 of 539 | #3 of 539 |
| National rank (type) | #346 of 1,472 | #6 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Government | Independent |
| Type | Secondary | Secondary |
| Year range | 7-12 | 7-12 |
| Students | 1,023 | 1,006 |
| Girls / boys | 1,023 / 0 | 1,006 / 0 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | 140 | 184 |
| Year 12 cohort | 142 | 119 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -21% | +13% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1115 | 1135 |
| ICSEA percentile | 88th | 92th |
| Top SEA quarter | 46% | 53% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 6% | 2% |
| Students per teacher | 14.4 | 11.1 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 71.1 | 90.6 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 14.2 | 43.9 |
| Language background other than English | 32% | 12% |
| Indigenous students | 1% | 0% |
| Suburb | Manly Vale 2093 | Manly 2095 |
| Council area | Northern Beaches | Northern Beaches |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | nbscmgirls-h.schools.nsw.gov.au | stellamaris.nsw.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Stella Maris College scores higher on the Success Index (86.8 vs 67.5).
- •Stella Maris College has the higher ICSEA (1135 vs 1115), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Stella Maris College has fewer students per teacher (11.1 vs 14.4).
- •Northern Beaches Secondary College Mackellar Girls Campus is the larger school with 1,023 students compared with 1,006.
- •Stella Maris College has grown faster over five years (13% vs -21%).
- •Northern Beaches Secondary College Mackellar Girls Campus is a government school while Stella Maris College 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.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Northern Beaches Secondary College Mackellar Girls Campus better than Stella Maris College?
On the Success Index, Stella Maris College ranks higher (86.8 vs 67.5 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 Northern Beaches Secondary College Mackellar Girls Campus and Stella Maris College?
About 1.3 km in a straight line, between Manly Vale and Manly in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Northern Beaches Secondary College Mackellar Girls Campus has 14.4 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Stella Maris College has 11.1.
How do Northern Beaches Secondary College Mackellar Girls Campus and Stella Maris College rank in NSW?
Northern Beaches Secondary College Mackellar Girls Campus is 140th of 539 and Stella Maris College is 3rd of 539 among secondary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.