South Grafton High School vs St Mary's Primary School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 4.6 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
South Grafton High School
South Grafton · Government high school · 7-12
639 students · ICSEA 875
St Mary's Primary School
Grafton · Catholic primary · K-6
259 students · ICSEA 1020
| Measure | South Grafton High School South Grafton NSW | St Mary's Primary School Grafton NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 23 Lower 50% | 53 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #494 of 539 | #812 of 1,619 |
| National rank (type) | #1350 of 1,472 | #2489 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Secondary | Primary |
| Year range | 7-12 | K-6 |
| Students | 639 | 259 |
| Girls / boys | 309 / 330 | 123 / 136 |
| Foundation intake | – | 44 |
| Year 7 cohort | 111 | – |
| Year 12 cohort | 62 | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -2% | +38% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 875 | 1020 |
| ICSEA percentile | 7th | 56th |
| Top SEA quarter | 3% | 14% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 64% | 24% |
| Students per teacher | 10.0 | 15.2 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 63.7 | 17.0 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 18.5 | 6.6 |
| Language background other than English | 3% | 18% |
| Indigenous students | 34% | 6% |
| Suburb | South Grafton 2460 | Grafton 2460 |
| Council area | Clarence Valley | Clarence Valley |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | sthgrafton-h.schools.nsw.gov.au | www.grafplism.catholic.edu.au/ |
The verdict
- •St Mary's Primary School scores higher on the Success Index (53.0 vs 23.3).
- •St Mary's Primary School has the higher ICSEA (1020 vs 875), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •South Grafton High School has fewer students per teacher (10.0 vs 15.2).
- •South Grafton High School is the larger school with 639 students compared with 259.
- •St Mary's Primary School has grown faster over five years (38% vs -2%).
- •South Grafton High School is a government school while St Mary's Primary School 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 South Grafton High School better than St Mary's Primary School?
On the Success Index, St Mary's Primary School ranks higher (53.0 vs 23.3 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 South Grafton High School and St Mary's Primary School?
About 4.6 km in a straight line, between South Grafton and Grafton in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
South Grafton High School has 10.0 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Mary's Primary School has 15.2.
How do South Grafton High School and St Mary's Primary School rank in NSW?
South Grafton High School is 494th of 539 and St Mary's Primary School is 812th of 1,619 among secondary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.