Bowen State School vs St Mary's Catholic School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in Queensland, 222 m apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Bowen State School
Bowen · Government primary · Prep-6
508 students · ICSEA 927
St Mary's Catholic School
Bowen · Catholic primary · Prep-6
146 students · ICSEA 967
| Measure | Bowen State School Bowen QLD | St Mary's Catholic School Bowen QLD |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 33 Lower 50% | 42 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #563 of 804 | #448 of 804 |
| National rank (type) | #3933 of 4,908 | #3325 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | Prep-6 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 508 | 146 |
| Girls / boys | 255 / 253 | 63 / 83 |
| Foundation intake | 67 | 22 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +15% | -5% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 927 | 967 |
| ICSEA percentile | 17th | 32th |
| Top SEA quarter | 5% | 9% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 47% | 36% |
| Students per teacher | 15.0 | 12.8 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 33.8 | 11.4 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 15.8 | 8.3 |
| Language background other than English | 11% | 3% |
| Indigenous students | 24% | 14% |
| Suburb | Bowen 4805 | Bowen 4805 |
| Council area | Whitsunday | Whitsunday |
| Remoteness | Outer Regional | Outer Regional |
| Website | bowenss.eq.edu.au | www.smbtsv.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Mary's Catholic School scores higher on the Success Index (41.5 vs 32.7).
- •St Mary's Catholic School has the higher ICSEA (967 vs 927), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •St Mary's Catholic School has fewer students per teacher (12.8 vs 15.0).
- •Bowen State School is the larger school with 508 students compared with 146.
- •Bowen State School has grown faster over five years (15% vs -5%).
- •Bowen State 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 School better than St Mary's Catholic School?
On the Success Index, St Mary's Catholic School ranks higher (41.5 vs 32.7 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 School and St Mary's Catholic School?
About 222 m in a straight line, between Bowen and Bowen in Queensland.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Bowen State School has 15.0 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Mary's Catholic School has 12.8.
How do Bowen State School and St Mary's Catholic School rank in QLD?
Bowen State School is 563rd of 804 and St Mary's Catholic School is 448th of 804 among primary schools in Queensland on the 2025 Success Index.