Mareeba State High School vs St Stephen's Catholic College
A head-to-head comparison of two secondary schools in Queensland, 2.6 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Mareeba State High School
Mareeba · Government high school · 7-12
721 students · ICSEA 886
St Stephen's Catholic College
Mareeba · Catholic high school · 7-12
652 students · ICSEA 1041
| Measure | Mareeba State High School Mareeba QLD | St Stephen's Catholic College Mareeba QLD |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 15 Lower 50% | 61 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #266 of 269 | #60 of 269 |
| National rank (type) | #1461 of 1,472 | #504 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Secondary | Secondary |
| Year range | 7-12 | 7-12 |
| Students | 721 | 652 |
| Girls / boys | 335 / 386 | 341 / 311 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | 102 | 119 |
| Year 12 cohort | 116 | 94 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -8% | +11% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 886 | 1041 |
| ICSEA percentile | 8th | 65th |
| Top SEA quarter | 3% | 19% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 54% | 13% |
| Students per teacher | 12.1 | 12.8 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 59.3 | 50.9 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 37.7 | 32.1 |
| Language background other than English | 16% | 8% |
| Indigenous students | 36% | 5% |
| Suburb | Mareeba 4880 | Mareeba 4880 |
| Council area | Mareeba | Mareeba |
| Remoteness | Outer Regional | Outer Regional |
| Website | mareebashs.eq.edu.au | www.sscc.qld.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Stephen's Catholic College scores higher on the Success Index (60.6 vs 15.0).
- •St Stephen's Catholic College has the higher ICSEA (1041 vs 886), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Mareeba State High School has fewer students per teacher (12.1 vs 12.8).
- •Mareeba State High School is the larger school with 721 students compared with 652.
- •St Stephen's Catholic College has grown faster over five years (11% vs -8%).
- •Mareeba State High School is a government school while St Stephen's Catholic 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 Mareeba State High School better than St Stephen's Catholic College?
On the Success Index, St Stephen's Catholic College ranks higher (60.6 vs 15.0 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 Mareeba State High School and St Stephen's Catholic College?
About 2.6 km in a straight line, between Mareeba and Mareeba in Queensland.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Mareeba State High School has 12.1 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Stephen's Catholic College has 12.8.
How do Mareeba State High School and St Stephen's Catholic College rank in QLD?
Mareeba State High School is 266th of 269 and St Stephen's Catholic College is 60th of 269 among secondary schools in Queensland on the 2025 Success Index.