Mackay State High School vs St Mary's Catholic Primary School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Queensland, 796 m apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Mackay State High School
South Mackay · Government high school · 7-12
1,254 students · ICSEA 936
St Mary's Catholic Primary School
Mackay South · Catholic primary · Prep-6
384 students · ICSEA 1050
| Measure | Mackay State High School South Mackay QLD | St Mary's Catholic Primary School Mackay South QLD |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 25 Lower 50% | 57 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #230 of 269 | #246 of 804 |
| National rank (type) | #1301 of 1,472 | #2157 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Secondary | Primary |
| Year range | 7-12 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 1,254 | 384 |
| Girls / boys | 559 / 695 | 214 / 170 |
| Foundation intake | – | 51 |
| Year 7 cohort | 219 | – |
| Year 12 cohort | 158 | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +11% | +2% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 936 | 1050 |
| ICSEA percentile | 20th | 68th |
| Top SEA quarter | 4% | 19% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 50% | 10% |
| Students per teacher | 13.2 | 16.6 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 94.8 | 23.1 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 50.9 | 11.1 |
| Language background other than English | 23% | 18% |
| Indigenous students | 19% | 4% |
| Suburb | South Mackay 4740 | Mackay South 4740 |
| Council area | Mackay | Mackay |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | mackayshs.eq.edu.au | www.smmrok.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Mary's Catholic Primary School scores higher on the Success Index (57.1 vs 25.3).
- •St Mary's Catholic Primary School has the higher ICSEA (1050 vs 936), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Mackay State High School has fewer students per teacher (13.2 vs 16.6).
- •Mackay State High School is the larger school with 1,254 students compared with 384.
- •Mackay State High School has grown faster over five years (11% vs 2%).
- •Mackay State High School is a government school while St Mary'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 State High School better than St Mary's Catholic Primary School?
On the Success Index, St Mary's Catholic Primary School ranks higher (57.1 vs 25.3 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 Mackay State High School and St Mary's Catholic Primary School?
About 796 m in a straight line, between South Mackay and Mackay South in Queensland.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Mackay State High School has 13.2 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Mary's Catholic Primary School has 16.6.
How do Mackay State High School and St Mary's Catholic Primary School rank in QLD?
Mackay State High School is 230th of 269 and St Mary's Catholic Primary School is 246th of 804 among secondary schools in Queensland on the 2025 Success Index.