St Mary's Primary School vs Warners Bay High School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 1.0 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
St Mary's Primary School
Warners Bay · Catholic primary · K-6
418 students · ICSEA 1093
Warners Bay High School
Warners Bay · Government high school · 7-12
1,161 students · ICSEA 1056
| Measure | St Mary's Primary School Warners Bay NSW | Warners Bay High School Warners Bay NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 64 Top 50% | 62 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #513 of 1,619 | #186 of 539 |
| National rank (type) | #1565 of 4,908 | #465 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Catholic | Government |
| Type | Primary | Secondary |
| Year range | K-6 | 7-12 |
| Students | 418 | 1,161 |
| Girls / boys | 203 / 215 | 543 / 618 |
| Foundation intake | 61 | – |
| Year 7 cohort | – | 188 |
| Year 12 cohort | – | 154 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +7% | -11% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1093 | 1056 |
| ICSEA percentile | 82th | 70th |
| Top SEA quarter | 37% | 25% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 7% | 16% |
| Students per teacher | 18.3 | 14.0 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 22.8 | 82.6 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 7.1 | 17.4 |
| Language background other than English | 10% | 7% |
| Indigenous students | 5% | 4% |
| Suburb | Warners Bay 2282 | Warners Bay 2282 |
| Council area | Lake Macquarie | Lake Macquarie |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | warnersbay.catholic.edu.au | warnersbay-h.schools.nsw.gov.au |
The verdict
- •St Mary's Primary School scores higher on the Success Index (63.9 vs 62.1).
- •St Mary's Primary School has the higher ICSEA (1093 vs 1056), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Warners Bay High School has fewer students per teacher (14.0 vs 18.3).
- •Warners Bay High School is the larger school with 1,161 students compared with 418.
- •St Mary's Primary School has grown faster over five years (7% vs -11%).
- •St Mary's Primary School is a catholic school while Warners Bay High School is a government 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 St Mary's Primary School better than Warners Bay High School?
On the Success Index, St Mary's Primary School ranks higher (63.9 vs 62.1 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 Primary School and Warners Bay High School?
About 1.0 km in a straight line, between Warners Bay and Warners Bay in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
St Mary's Primary School has 18.3 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Warners Bay High School has 14.0.
How do St Mary's Primary School and Warners Bay High School rank in NSW?
St Mary's Primary School is 513th of 1,619 and Warners Bay High School is 186th of 539 among primary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.