Birkdale South State School vs St Mary MacKillop Primary School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in Queensland, 1.9 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Birkdale South State School
Birkdale · Government primary · Prep-6
407 students · ICSEA 993
St Mary MacKillop Primary School
Birkdale · Catholic primary · Prep-6
557 students · ICSEA 1071
| Measure | Birkdale South State School Birkdale QLD | St Mary MacKillop Primary School Birkdale QLD |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 44 Lower 50% | 60 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #424 of 804 | #217 of 804 |
| National rank (type) | #3180 of 4,908 | #1970 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | Prep-6 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 407 | 557 |
| Girls / boys | 194 / 213 | 295 / 262 |
| Foundation intake | 44 | 77 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -21% | -2% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 993 | 1071 |
| ICSEA percentile | 43th | 76th |
| Top SEA quarter | 8% | 23% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 32% | 7% |
| Students per teacher | 13.3 | 16.7 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 30.6 | 33.4 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 14.2 | 16.9 |
| Language background other than English | 12% | 4% |
| Indigenous students | 10% | 2% |
| Suburb | Birkdale 4159 | Birkdale 4159 |
| Council area | Redland | Redland |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | birkdalesouthss.eq.edu.au | www.mackilloppenrith.catholic.edu.au/ |
The verdict
- •St Mary MacKillop Primary School scores higher on the Success Index (59.5 vs 43.5).
- •St Mary MacKillop Primary School has the higher ICSEA (1071 vs 993), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Birkdale South State School has fewer students per teacher (13.3 vs 16.7).
- •St Mary MacKillop Primary School is the larger school with 557 students compared with 407.
- •St Mary MacKillop Primary School has grown faster over five years (-2% vs -21%).
- •Birkdale South State School is a government school while St Mary MacKillop 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 Birkdale South State School better than St Mary MacKillop Primary School?
On the Success Index, St Mary MacKillop Primary School ranks higher (59.5 vs 43.5 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 Birkdale South State School and St Mary MacKillop Primary School?
About 1.9 km in a straight line, between Birkdale and Birkdale in Queensland.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Birkdale South State School has 13.3 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Mary MacKillop Primary School has 16.7.
How do Birkdale South State School and St Mary MacKillop Primary School rank in QLD?
Birkdale South State School is 424th of 804 and St Mary MacKillop Primary School is 217th of 804 among primary schools in Queensland on the 2025 Success Index.