Bowen State High School vs St Mary's Catholic School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Queensland, 1.6 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Bowen State High School
Bowen · Government high school · 7-12
679 students · ICSEA 919
St Mary's Catholic School
Bowen · Catholic primary · Prep-6
146 students · ICSEA 967
| Measure | Bowen State High School Bowen QLD | St Mary's Catholic School Bowen QLD |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 24 Lower 50% | 42 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #238 of 269 | #448 of 804 |
| National rank (type) | #1341 of 1,472 | #3325 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Secondary | Primary |
| Year range | 7-12 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 679 | 146 |
| Girls / boys | 328 / 351 | 63 / 83 |
| Foundation intake | – | 22 |
| Year 7 cohort | 138 | – |
| Year 12 cohort | 80 | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -3% | -5% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 919 | 967 |
| ICSEA percentile | 15th | 32th |
| Top SEA quarter | 4% | 9% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 51% | 36% |
| Students per teacher | 12.2 | 12.8 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 55.6 | 11.4 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 33.4 | 8.3 |
| Language background other than English | 10% | 3% |
| Indigenous students | 23% | 14% |
| Suburb | Bowen 4805 | Bowen 4805 |
| Council area | Whitsunday | Whitsunday |
| Remoteness | Outer Regional | Outer Regional |
| Website | bowenshs.eq.edu.au | www.smbtsv.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Mary's Catholic School scores higher on the Success Index (41.5 vs 23.6).
- •St Mary's Catholic School has the higher ICSEA (967 vs 919), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Bowen State High School has fewer students per teacher (12.2 vs 12.8).
- •Bowen State High School is the larger school with 679 students compared with 146.
- •Bowen State High School is a government school while St Mary's Catholic 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 Bowen State High School better than St Mary's Catholic School?
On the Success Index, St Mary's Catholic School ranks higher (41.5 vs 23.6 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 Bowen State High School and St Mary's Catholic School?
About 1.6 km in a straight line, between Bowen and Bowen in Queensland.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Bowen State High School has 12.2 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Mary's Catholic School has 12.8.
How do Bowen State High School and St Mary's Catholic School rank in QLD?
Bowen State High School is 238th of 269 and St Mary's Catholic School is 448th of 804 among secondary schools in Queensland on the 2025 Success Index.