Mareeba State School vs St Stephen's Catholic College
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Queensland, 3.1 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Mareeba State School
Mareeba · Government primary · Prep-6
695 students · ICSEA 855
St Stephen's Catholic College
Mareeba · Catholic high school · 7-12
652 students · ICSEA 1041
| Measure | Mareeba State School Mareeba QLD | St Stephen's Catholic College Mareeba QLD |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 15 Lower 50% | 61 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #799 of 804 | #60 of 269 |
| National rank (type) | #4895 of 4,908 | #504 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Secondary |
| Year range | Prep-6 | 7-12 |
| Students | 695 | 652 |
| Girls / boys | 319 / 376 | 341 / 311 |
| Foundation intake | 95 | – |
| Year 7 cohort | – | 119 |
| Year 12 cohort | – | 94 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -16% | +11% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 855 | 1041 |
| ICSEA percentile | 5th | 65th |
| Top SEA quarter | 2% | 19% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 64% | 13% |
| Students per teacher | 14.0 | 12.8 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 49.8 | 50.9 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 28.3 | 32.1 |
| Language background other than English | 16% | 8% |
| Indigenous students | 43% | 5% |
| Suburb | Mareeba 4880 | Mareeba 4880 |
| Council area | Mareeba | Mareeba |
| Remoteness | Outer Regional | Outer Regional |
| Website | mareebass.eq.edu.au | www.sscc.qld.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Stephen's Catholic College scores higher on the Success Index (60.6 vs 14.7).
- •St Stephen's Catholic College has the higher ICSEA (1041 vs 855), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •St Stephen's Catholic College has fewer students per teacher (12.8 vs 14.0).
- •Mareeba State School is the larger school with 695 students compared with 652.
- •St Stephen's Catholic College has grown faster over five years (11% vs -16%).
- •Mareeba State 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 School better than St Stephen's Catholic College?
On the Success Index, St Stephen's Catholic College ranks higher (60.6 vs 14.7 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 School and St Stephen's Catholic College?
About 3.1 km in a straight line, between Mareeba and Mareeba in Queensland.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Mareeba State School has 14.0 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Stephen's Catholic College has 12.8.
How do Mareeba State School and St Stephen's Catholic College rank in QLD?
Mareeba State School is 799th of 804 and St Stephen's Catholic College is 60th of 269 among primary schools in Queensland on the 2025 Success Index.