Gordonvale State High School vs MacKillop Catholic College, Mount Peter
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Queensland, 7.0 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Gordonvale State High School
Gordonvale · Government high school · 7-12
623 students · ICSEA 883
MacKillop Catholic College, Mount Peter
Mount Peter · Catholic combined · Prep-12
1,119 students · ICSEA 987
| Measure | Gordonvale State High School Gordonvale QLD | MacKillop Catholic College, Mount Peter Mount Peter QLD |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 12 Lower 50% | 41 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #269 of 269 | #174 of 275 |
| National rank (type) | #1468 of 1,472 | #830 of 1,259 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Secondary | Combined |
| Year range | 7-12 | Prep-12 |
| Students | 623 | 1,119 |
| Girls / boys | 327 / 296 | 588 / 531 |
| Foundation intake | – | 85 |
| Year 7 cohort | 109 | 106 |
| Year 12 cohort | 75 | 71 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -21% | +122% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 883 | 987 |
| ICSEA percentile | 8th | 41th |
| Top SEA quarter | 3% | 7% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 55% | 24% |
| Students per teacher | 12.2 | 12.9 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 51.0 | 86.9 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 27.1 | 54.1 |
| Language background other than English | 21% | 13% |
| Indigenous students | 40% | 15% |
| Suburb | Gordonvale 4865 | Mount Peter 4869 |
| Council area | Cairns | Cairns |
| Remoteness | Outer Regional | Outer Regional |
| Website | gordonvalehigh.eq.edu.au | www.mackillopcatholiccollege.qld.edu.au/ |
The verdict
- •MacKillop Catholic College, Mount Peter scores higher on the Success Index (41.4 vs 12.3).
- •MacKillop Catholic College, Mount Peter has the higher ICSEA (987 vs 883), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Gordonvale State High School has fewer students per teacher (12.2 vs 12.9).
- •MacKillop Catholic College, Mount Peter is the larger school with 1,119 students compared with 623.
- •MacKillop Catholic College, Mount Peter has grown faster over five years (122% vs -21%).
- •Gordonvale State High School is a government school while MacKillop Catholic College, Mount Peter 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 Gordonvale State High School better than MacKillop Catholic College, Mount Peter?
On the Success Index, MacKillop Catholic College, Mount Peter ranks higher (41.4 vs 12.3 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 Gordonvale State High School and MacKillop Catholic College, Mount Peter?
About 7.0 km in a straight line, between Gordonvale and Mount Peter in Queensland.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Gordonvale State High School has 12.2 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and MacKillop Catholic College, Mount Peter has 12.9.
How do Gordonvale State High School and MacKillop Catholic College, Mount Peter rank in QLD?
Gordonvale State High School is 269th of 269 and MacKillop Catholic College, Mount Peter is 174th of 275 among secondary schools in Queensland on the 2025 Success Index.