Holy Spirit College vs St Mary's Catholic College
A head-to-head comparison of two secondary schools in Queensland, 584 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Holy Spirit College
Mount Pleasant · Catholic high school · 7-12
1,139 students · ICSEA 1023
St Mary's Catholic College
Woree · Catholic high school · 7-12
949 students · ICSEA 1023
| Measure | Holy Spirit College Mount Pleasant QLD | St Mary's Catholic College Woree QLD |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 55 Top 50% | 53 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #91 of 269 | #98 of 269 |
| National rank (type) | #641 of 1,472 | #683 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Catholic | Catholic |
| Type | Secondary | Secondary |
| Year range | 7-12 | 7-12 |
| Students | 1,139 | 949 |
| Girls / boys | 554 / 585 | 518 / 431 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | 220 | 158 |
| Year 12 cohort | 146 | 144 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +20% | -3% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1023 | 1023 |
| ICSEA percentile | 57th | 57th |
| Top SEA quarter | 14% | 13% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 21% | 16% |
| Students per teacher | 13.2 | 12.1 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 86.6 | 78.2 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 57.4 | 43.6 |
| Language background other than English | 7% | 14% |
| Indigenous students | 5% | 7% |
| Suburb | Mount Pleasant 4740 | Woree 4868 |
| Council area | Mackay | Cairns |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Outer Regional |
| Website | www.hsc.qld.edu.au | www.smcc.qld.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Holy Spirit College scores higher on the Success Index (54.6 vs 52.6).
- •St Mary's Catholic College has fewer students per teacher (12.1 vs 13.2).
- •Holy Spirit College is the larger school with 1,139 students compared with 949.
- •Holy Spirit College has grown faster over five years (20% vs -3%).
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 Holy Spirit College better than St Mary's Catholic College?
On the Success Index, Holy Spirit College ranks higher (54.6 vs 52.6 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 Holy Spirit College and St Mary's Catholic College?
About 584 km in a straight line, between Mount Pleasant and Woree in Queensland.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Holy Spirit College has 13.2 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Mary's Catholic College has 12.1.
How do Holy Spirit College and St Mary's Catholic College rank in QLD?
Holy Spirit College is 91st of 269 and St Mary's Catholic College is 98th of 269 among secondary schools in Queensland on the 2025 Success Index.