Mareeba State High School vs St Thomas' School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Queensland, 984 m 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 Thomas' School
Mareeba · Catholic primary · Prep-6
431 students · ICSEA 1002
| Measure | Mareeba State High School Mareeba QLD | St Thomas' School Mareeba QLD |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 15 Lower 50% | 44 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #266 of 269 | #416 of 804 |
| National rank (type) | #1461 of 1,472 | #3127 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Secondary | Primary |
| Year range | 7-12 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 721 | 431 |
| Girls / boys | 335 / 386 | 213 / 218 |
| Foundation intake | – | 86 |
| Year 7 cohort | 102 | – |
| Year 12 cohort | 116 | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -8% | -2% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 886 | 1002 |
| ICSEA percentile | 8th | 47th |
| Top SEA quarter | 3% | 11% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 54% | 23% |
| Students per teacher | 12.1 | 15.0 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 59.3 | 28.8 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 37.7 | 18.2 |
| Language background other than English | 16% | 14% |
| Indigenous students | 36% | 10% |
| Suburb | Mareeba 4880 | Mareeba 4880 |
| Council area | Mareeba | Mareeba |
| Remoteness | Outer Regional | Outer Regional |
| Website | mareebashs.eq.edu.au | www.stthomasmareeba.qld.edu.au/ |
The verdict
- •St Thomas' School scores higher on the Success Index (44.4 vs 15.0).
- •St Thomas' School has the higher ICSEA (1002 vs 886), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Mareeba State High School has fewer students per teacher (12.1 vs 15.0).
- •Mareeba State High School is the larger school with 721 students compared with 431.
- •St Thomas' School has grown faster over five years (-2% vs -8%).
- •Mareeba State High School is a government school while St Thomas' 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 Mareeba State High School better than St Thomas' School?
On the Success Index, St Thomas' School ranks higher (44.4 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 Thomas' School?
About 984 m 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 Thomas' School has 15.0.
How do Mareeba State High School and St Thomas' School rank in QLD?
Mareeba State High School is 266th of 269 and St Thomas' School is 416th of 804 among secondary schools in Queensland on the 2025 Success Index.