Laidley State High School vs St Mary's School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Queensland, 1.3 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Laidley State High School
Laidley · Government high school · 7-12
672 students · ICSEA 923
St Mary's School
Laidley · Catholic primary · Prep-6
260 students · ICSEA 1003
| Measure | Laidley State High School Laidley QLD | St Mary's School Laidley QLD |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 21 Lower 50% | 52 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #251 of 269 | #310 of 804 |
| National rank (type) | #1403 of 1,472 | #2568 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Secondary | Primary |
| Year range | 7-12 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 672 | 260 |
| Girls / boys | 324 / 348 | 127 / 133 |
| Foundation intake | – | 38 |
| Year 7 cohort | 133 | – |
| Year 12 cohort | 86 | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -16% | +7% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 923 | 1003 |
| ICSEA percentile | 16th | 48th |
| Top SEA quarter | 1% | 8% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 57% | 30% |
| Students per teacher | 11.0 | 13.4 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 60.9 | 19.4 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 30.0 | 9.3 |
| Language background other than English | 5% | 1% |
| Indigenous students | 18% | 6% |
| Suburb | Laidley 4341 | Laidley 4341 |
| Council area | Lockyer Valley | Lockyer Valley |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | laidleyshs.eq.edu.au | www.stmaryslaidley.qld.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Mary's School scores higher on the Success Index (51.8 vs 20.8).
- •St Mary's School has the higher ICSEA (1003 vs 923), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Laidley State High School has fewer students per teacher (11.0 vs 13.4).
- •Laidley State High School is the larger school with 672 students compared with 260.
- •St Mary's School has grown faster over five years (7% vs -16%).
- •Laidley State High School is a government school while St Mary's 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 Laidley State High School better than St Mary's School?
On the Success Index, St Mary's School ranks higher (51.8 vs 20.8 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 Laidley State High School and St Mary's School?
About 1.3 km in a straight line, between Laidley and Laidley in Queensland.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Laidley State High School has 11.0 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Mary's School has 13.4.
How do Laidley State High School and St Mary's School rank in QLD?
Laidley State High School is 251st of 269 and St Mary's School is 310th of 804 among secondary schools in Queensland on the 2025 Success Index.