Coolabunia State School vs St Mary's Catholic College
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Queensland, 8.6 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Coolabunia State School
Coolabunia · Government primary · Prep-6
121 students · ICSEA 966
St Mary's Catholic College
Kingaroy · Catholic combined · Prep-12
288 students · ICSEA 984
| Measure | Coolabunia State School Coolabunia QLD | St Mary's Catholic College Kingaroy QLD |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 38 Lower 50% | 36 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #505 of 804 | #203 of 275 |
| National rank (type) | #3589 of 4,908 | #952 of 1,259 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Combined |
| Year range | Prep-6 | Prep-12 |
| Students | 121 | 288 |
| Girls / boys | 65 / 56 | 138 / 150 |
| Foundation intake | 19 | 22 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | 29 |
| Year 12 cohort | – | 17 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +29% | -19% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 966 | 984 |
| ICSEA percentile | 32th | 39th |
| Top SEA quarter | 8% | 9% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 40% | 30% |
| Students per teacher | 14.4 | 10.0 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 8.4 | 28.8 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 4.7 | 25.2 |
| Language background other than English | 1% | 5% |
| Indigenous students | 15% | 13% |
| Suburb | Coolabunia 4610 | Kingaroy 4610 |
| Council area | South Burnett | South Burnett |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | coolabuniass.eq.edu.au | www.saintmarys.qld.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Coolabunia State School scores higher on the Success Index (37.7 vs 35.5).
- •St Mary's Catholic College has the higher ICSEA (984 vs 966), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •St Mary's Catholic College has fewer students per teacher (10.0 vs 14.4).
- •St Mary's Catholic College is the larger school with 288 students compared with 121.
- •Coolabunia State School has grown faster over five years (29% vs -19%).
- •Coolabunia State School is a government school while St Mary's Catholic College 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 Coolabunia State School better than St Mary's Catholic College?
On the Success Index, Coolabunia State School ranks higher (37.7 vs 35.5 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 Coolabunia State School and St Mary's Catholic College?
About 8.6 km in a straight line, between Coolabunia and Kingaroy in Queensland.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Coolabunia State School has 14.4 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Mary's Catholic College has 10.0.
How do Coolabunia State School and St Mary's Catholic College rank in QLD?
Coolabunia State School is 505th of 804 and St Mary's Catholic College is 203rd of 275 among primary schools in Queensland on the 2025 Success Index.