Mackay West State School vs St Mary's Catholic Primary School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in Queensland, 2.4 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Mackay West State School
West Mackay · Government primary · Prep-6
770 students · ICSEA 980
St Mary's Catholic Primary School
Mackay South · Catholic primary · Prep-6
384 students · ICSEA 1050
| Measure | Mackay West State School West Mackay QLD | St Mary's Catholic Primary School Mackay South QLD |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 47 Lower 50% | 57 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #370 of 804 | #246 of 804 |
| National rank (type) | #2898 of 4,908 | #2157 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | Prep-6 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 770 | 384 |
| Girls / boys | 355 / 415 | 214 / 170 |
| Foundation intake | 99 | 51 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +23% | +2% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 980 | 1050 |
| ICSEA percentile | 38th | 68th |
| Top SEA quarter | 11% | 19% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 34% | 10% |
| Students per teacher | 14.6 | 16.6 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 52.9 | 23.1 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 36.6 | 11.1 |
| Language background other than English | 23% | 18% |
| Indigenous students | 14% | 4% |
| Suburb | West Mackay 4740 | Mackay South 4740 |
| Council area | Mackay | Mackay |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | mackaywestss.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 47.2).
- •St Mary's Catholic Primary School has the higher ICSEA (1050 vs 980), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Mackay West State School has fewer students per teacher (14.6 vs 16.6).
- •Mackay West State School is the larger school with 770 students compared with 384.
- •Mackay West State School has grown faster over five years (23% vs 2%).
- •Mackay West State 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 West State School better than St Mary's Catholic Primary School?
On the Success Index, St Mary's Catholic Primary School ranks higher (57.1 vs 47.2 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 Mackay West State School and St Mary's Catholic Primary School?
About 2.4 km in a straight line, between West Mackay and Mackay South in Queensland.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Mackay West State School has 14.6 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Mary's Catholic Primary School has 16.6.
How do Mackay West State School and St Mary's Catholic Primary School rank in QLD?
Mackay West State School is 370th of 804 and St Mary's Catholic Primary School is 246th of 804 among primary schools in Queensland on the 2025 Success Index.