Ipswich Central State School vs St Mary's Primary School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in Queensland, 1.6 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Ipswich Central State School
Ipswich · Government primary · Prep-6
529 students · ICSEA 980
St Mary's Primary School
Woodend · Catholic primary · Prep-6
556 students · ICSEA 1041
| Measure | Ipswich Central State School Ipswich QLD | St Mary's Primary School Woodend QLD |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 38 Lower 50% | 51 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #498 of 804 | #316 of 804 |
| National rank (type) | #3557 of 4,908 | #2626 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | Prep-6 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 529 | 556 |
| Girls / boys | 265 / 264 | 341 / 215 |
| Foundation intake | 48 | 74 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -25% | -2% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 980 | 1041 |
| ICSEA percentile | 38th | 65th |
| Top SEA quarter | 9% | 17% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 37% | 14% |
| Students per teacher | 13.2 | 17.7 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 40.0 | 31.4 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 23.2 | 20.2 |
| Language background other than English | 13% | 7% |
| Indigenous students | 15% | 6% |
| Suburb | Ipswich 4305 | Woodend 4305 |
| Council area | Ipswich | Ipswich |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | ipswichcentralss.eq.edu.au | www.stmarysipswich.qld.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Mary's Primary School scores higher on the Success Index (51.0 vs 38.2).
- •St Mary's Primary School has the higher ICSEA (1041 vs 980), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Ipswich Central State School has fewer students per teacher (13.2 vs 17.7).
- •St Mary's Primary School is the larger school with 556 students compared with 529.
- •St Mary's Primary School has grown faster over five years (-2% vs -25%).
- •Ipswich Central State School is a government school while St Mary's Primary School 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 Ipswich Central State School better than St Mary's Primary School?
On the Success Index, St Mary's Primary School ranks higher (51.0 vs 38.2 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 Ipswich Central State School and St Mary's Primary School?
About 1.6 km in a straight line, between Ipswich and Woodend in Queensland.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Ipswich Central State School has 13.2 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Mary's Primary School has 17.7.
How do Ipswich Central State School and St Mary's Primary School rank in QLD?
Ipswich Central State School is 498th of 804 and St Mary's Primary School is 316th of 804 among primary schools in Queensland on the 2025 Success Index.