Mackay North State High School vs St Joseph's Catholic Primary School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Queensland, 1.6 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Mackay North State High School
North Mackay · Government high school · 7-12
1,253 students · ICSEA 958
St Joseph's Catholic Primary School
North Mackay · Catholic primary · Prep-6
349 students · ICSEA 1016
| Measure | Mackay North State High School North Mackay QLD | St Joseph's Catholic Primary School North Mackay QLD |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 31 Lower 50% | 49 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #193 of 269 | #339 of 804 |
| National rank (type) | #1166 of 1,472 | #2756 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Secondary | Primary |
| Year range | 7-12 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 1,253 | 349 |
| Girls / boys | 644 / 609 | 153 / 196 |
| Foundation intake | – | 45 |
| Year 7 cohort | 204 | – |
| Year 12 cohort | 158 | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -9% | +12% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 958 | 1016 |
| ICSEA percentile | 28th | 54th |
| Top SEA quarter | 6% | 17% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 45% | 20% |
| Students per teacher | 12.5 | 16.8 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 100.5 | 20.8 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 48.6 | 12.4 |
| Language background other than English | 10% | 9% |
| Indigenous students | 14% | 11% |
| Suburb | North Mackay 4740 | North Mackay 4740 |
| Council area | Mackay | Mackay |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | mackaynorthshs.eq.edu.au | www.sjnmrok.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Joseph's Catholic Primary School scores higher on the Success Index (49.2 vs 30.5).
- •St Joseph's Catholic Primary School has the higher ICSEA (1016 vs 958), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Mackay North State High School has fewer students per teacher (12.5 vs 16.8).
- •Mackay North State High School is the larger school with 1,253 students compared with 349.
- •St Joseph's Catholic Primary School has grown faster over five years (12% vs -9%).
- •Mackay North State High School is a government school while St Joseph's Catholic 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 Mackay North State High School better than St Joseph's Catholic Primary School?
On the Success Index, St Joseph's Catholic Primary School ranks higher (49.2 vs 30.5 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 Mackay North State High School and St Joseph's Catholic Primary School?
About 1.6 km in a straight line, between North Mackay and North Mackay in Queensland.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Mackay North State High School has 12.5 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Joseph's Catholic Primary School has 16.8.
How do Mackay North State High School and St Joseph's Catholic Primary School rank in QLD?
Mackay North State High School is 193rd of 269 and St Joseph's Catholic Primary School is 339th of 804 among secondary schools in Queensland on the 2025 Success Index.