St Mary's Catholic Primary School vs St Paul's Catholic College
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.
St Mary's Catholic Primary School
Manly · Catholic primary · K-6
330 students · ICSEA 1159
St Paul's Catholic College
Manly · Catholic high school · 7-12
468 students · ICSEA 1091
| Measure | St Mary's Catholic Primary School Manly NSW | St Paul's Catholic College Manly NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 80 Top 5% | 82 Top 5% |
| State rank (type) | #43 of 1,619 | #14 of 539 |
| National rank (type) | #186 of 4,908 | #45 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Catholic | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Secondary |
| Year range | K-6 | 7-12 |
| Students | 330 | 468 |
| Girls / boys | 179 / 151 | 85 / 383 |
| Foundation intake | 51 | – |
| Year 7 cohort | – | 143 |
| Year 12 cohort | – | 45 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +17% | +17% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1159 | 1091 |
| ICSEA percentile | 97th | 82th |
| Top SEA quarter | 65% | 34% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 2% | 6% |
| Students per teacher | 16.9 | 11.1 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 19.5 | 42.2 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 4.0 | 11.2 |
| Language background other than English | 26% | 18% |
| Indigenous students | 0% | 1% |
| Suburb | Manly 2095 | Manly 2095 |
| Council area | Northern Beaches | Northern Beaches |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.smmdbb.catholic.edu.au | www.stpaulsdbb.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Paul's Catholic College scores higher on the Success Index (81.9 vs 80.1).
- •St Mary's Catholic Primary School has the higher ICSEA (1159 vs 1091), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •St Paul's Catholic College has fewer students per teacher (11.1 vs 16.9).
- •St Paul's Catholic College is the larger school with 468 students compared with 330.
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 Mary's Catholic Primary School better than St Paul's Catholic College?
On the Success Index, St Paul's Catholic College ranks higher (81.9 vs 80.1 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 Mary's Catholic Primary School and St Paul's Catholic College?
About 1.2 km in a straight line, between Manly and Manly in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
St Mary's Catholic Primary School has 16.9 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Paul's Catholic College has 11.1.
How do St Mary's Catholic Primary School and St Paul's Catholic College rank in NSW?
St Mary's Catholic Primary School is 43rd of 1,619 and St Paul's Catholic College is 14th of 539 among primary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.