Mackay State High School vs St Patrick's College
A head-to-head comparison of two secondary schools in Queensland, 1.8 km 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 Patrick's College
Mackay · Catholic high school · 7-12
1,394 students · ICSEA 1009
| Measure | Mackay State High School South Mackay QLD | St Patrick's College Mackay QLD |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 25 Lower 50% | 58 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #230 of 269 | #76 of 269 |
| National rank (type) | #1301 of 1,472 | #560 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Secondary | Secondary |
| Year range | 7-12 | 7-12 |
| Students | 1,254 | 1,394 |
| Girls / boys | 559 / 695 | 658 / 736 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | 219 | 235 |
| Year 12 cohort | 158 | 251 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +11% | +163% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 936 | 1009 |
| ICSEA percentile | 20th | 51th |
| Top SEA quarter | 4% | 14% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 50% | 23% |
| Students per teacher | 13.2 | 11.3 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 94.8 | 123.3 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 50.9 | 58.5 |
| Language background other than English | 23% | 9% |
| Indigenous students | 19% | 8% |
| Suburb | South Mackay 4740 | Mackay 4740 |
| Council area | Mackay | Mackay |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | mackayshs.eq.edu.au | www.stpats.qld.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Patrick's College scores higher on the Success Index (58.1 vs 25.3).
- •St Patrick's College has the higher ICSEA (1009 vs 936), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •St Patrick's College has fewer students per teacher (11.3 vs 13.2).
- •St Patrick's College is the larger school with 1,394 students compared with 1,254.
- •St Patrick's College has grown faster over five years (163% vs 11%).
- •Mackay State High School is a government school while St Patrick's College 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 Patrick's College?
On the Success Index, St Patrick's College ranks higher (58.1 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 Patrick's College?
About 1.8 km in a straight line, between South Mackay and Mackay 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 Patrick's College has 11.3.
How do Mackay State High School and St Patrick's College rank in QLD?
Mackay State High School is 230th of 269 and St Patrick's College is 76th of 269 among secondary schools in Queensland on the 2025 Success Index.