Fitzgerald State School vs Holy Spirit College
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Queensland, 1.2 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Fitzgerald State School
North Mackay · Government primary · Prep-6
632 students · ICSEA 955
Holy Spirit College
Mount Pleasant · Catholic high school · 7-12
1,139 students · ICSEA 1023
| Measure | Fitzgerald State School North Mackay QLD | Holy Spirit College Mount Pleasant QLD |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 27 Lower 50% | 55 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #646 of 804 | #91 of 269 |
| National rank (type) | #4341 of 4,908 | #641 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Secondary |
| Year range | Prep-6 | 7-12 |
| Students | 632 | 1,139 |
| Girls / boys | 328 / 304 | 554 / 585 |
| Foundation intake | 79 | – |
| Year 7 cohort | – | 220 |
| Year 12 cohort | – | 146 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -8% | +20% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 955 | 1023 |
| ICSEA percentile | 27th | 57th |
| Top SEA quarter | 5% | 14% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 42% | 21% |
| Students per teacher | 15.5 | 13.2 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 40.7 | 86.6 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 20.1 | 57.4 |
| Language background other than English | 13% | 7% |
| Indigenous students | 16% | 5% |
| Suburb | North Mackay 4740 | Mount Pleasant 4740 |
| Council area | Mackay | Mackay |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | fitzgeraldss.eq.edu.au | www.hsc.qld.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Holy Spirit College scores higher on the Success Index (54.6 vs 27.1).
- •Holy Spirit College has the higher ICSEA (1023 vs 955), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Holy Spirit College has fewer students per teacher (13.2 vs 15.5).
- •Holy Spirit College is the larger school with 1,139 students compared with 632.
- •Holy Spirit College has grown faster over five years (20% vs -8%).
- •Fitzgerald State School is a government school while Holy Spirit 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 Fitzgerald State School better than Holy Spirit College?
On the Success Index, Holy Spirit College ranks higher (54.6 vs 27.1 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 Fitzgerald State School and Holy Spirit College?
About 1.2 km in a straight line, between North Mackay and Mount Pleasant in Queensland.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Fitzgerald State School has 15.5 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Holy Spirit College has 13.2.
How do Fitzgerald State School and Holy Spirit College rank in QLD?
Fitzgerald State School is 646th of 804 and Holy Spirit College is 91st of 269 among primary schools in Queensland on the 2025 Success Index.