Fortitude Valley State Secondary College vs St Joseph's 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.
Fortitude Valley State Secondary College
Fortitude Valley · Government high school · 7-12
822 students · ICSEA 1086
St Joseph's College
Brisbane · Catholic combined · 5-12
1,896 students · ICSEA 1182
| Measure | Fortitude Valley State Secondary College Fortitude Valley QLD | St Joseph's College Brisbane QLD |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 74 Top 25% | 81 Top 10% |
| State rank (type) | #13 of 269 | #4 of 275 |
| National rank (type) | #192 of 1,472 | #89 of 1,259 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Secondary | Combined |
| Year range | 7-12 | 5-12 |
| Students | 822 | 1,896 |
| Girls / boys | 399 / 423 | 0 / 1,896 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | 151 | 249 |
| Year 12 cohort | 119 | 238 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +500% | +12% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1086 | 1182 |
| ICSEA percentile | 80th | 99th |
| Top SEA quarter | 35% | 73% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 8% | 1% |
| Students per teacher | 12.7 | 12.6 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 64.9 | 150.4 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 28.6 | 85.3 |
| Language background other than English | 29% | 22% |
| Indigenous students | 3% | 1% |
| Suburb | Fortitude Valley 4006 | Brisbane 4000 |
| Council area | Brisbane | Brisbane |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | fortitudevalleyssc.eq.edu.au | www.terrace.qld.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Joseph's College scores higher on the Success Index (80.9 vs 73.6).
- •St Joseph's College has the higher ICSEA (1182 vs 1086), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •St Joseph's College is the larger school with 1,896 students compared with 822.
- •Fortitude Valley State Secondary College has grown faster over five years (500% vs 12%).
- •Fortitude Valley State Secondary College is a government school while St Joseph's 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 Fortitude Valley State Secondary College better than St Joseph's College?
On the Success Index, St Joseph's College ranks higher (80.9 vs 73.6 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 Fortitude Valley State Secondary College and St Joseph's College?
About 1.2 km in a straight line, between Fortitude Valley and Brisbane in Queensland.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Fortitude Valley State Secondary College has 12.7 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Joseph's College has 12.6.
How do Fortitude Valley State Secondary College and St Joseph's College rank in QLD?
Fortitude Valley State Secondary College is 13th of 269 and St Joseph's College is 4th of 275 among secondary schools in Queensland on the 2025 Success Index.