St Francis Catholic College vs St Mary's Cathedral College
A head-to-head comparison of two combined schools in New South Wales, 35 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
St Francis Catholic College
Edmondson Park · Catholic combined · K-12
1,559 students · ICSEA 1088
St Mary's Cathedral College
Sydney · Catholic combined · K-12
937 students · ICSEA 1125
| Measure | St Francis Catholic College Edmondson Park NSW | St Mary's Cathedral College Sydney NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 64 Top 50% | 75 Top 25% |
| State rank (type) | #121 of 314 | #63 of 314 |
| National rank (type) | #387 of 1,259 | #182 of 1,259 |
| Sector | Catholic | Catholic |
| Type | Combined | Combined |
| Year range | K-12 | K-12 |
| Students | 1,559 | 937 |
| Girls / boys | 840 / 719 | 127 / 810 |
| Foundation intake | 90 | 21 |
| Year 7 cohort | 183 | 155 |
| Year 12 cohort | 113 | 112 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +80% | +18% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1088 | 1125 |
| ICSEA percentile | 81th | 90th |
| Top SEA quarter | 33% | 49% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 9% | 4% |
| Students per teacher | 15.0 | 13.0 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 103.8 | 72.3 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 26.9 | 17.5 |
| Language background other than English | 56% | 61% |
| Indigenous students | 1% | 1% |
| Suburb | Edmondson Park 2174 | Sydney 2000 |
| Council area | Liverpool | Sydney |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.sfccdow.catholic.edu.au/ | smccsydney.syd.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Mary's Cathedral College scores higher on the Success Index (74.9 vs 64.2).
- •St Mary's Cathedral College has the higher ICSEA (1125 vs 1088), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •St Mary's Cathedral College has fewer students per teacher (13.0 vs 15.0).
- •St Francis Catholic College is the larger school with 1,559 students compared with 937.
- •St Francis Catholic College has grown faster over five years (80% vs 18%).
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 St Francis Catholic College better than St Mary's Cathedral College?
On the Success Index, St Mary's Cathedral College ranks higher (74.9 vs 64.2 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 St Francis Catholic College and St Mary's Cathedral College?
About 35 km in a straight line, between Edmondson Park and Sydney in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
St Francis Catholic College has 15.0 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Mary's Cathedral College has 13.0.
How do St Francis Catholic College and St Mary's Cathedral College rank in NSW?
St Francis Catholic College is 121st of 314 and St Mary's Cathedral College is 63rd of 314 among combined schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.