Mary MacKillop Catholic College vs Meringandan State School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Queensland, 4.4 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Mary MacKillop Catholic College
Highfields · Catholic combined · Prep-12
1,047 students · ICSEA 1046
Meringandan State School
Meringandan West · Government primary · Prep-6
260 students · ICSEA 1018
| Measure | Mary MacKillop Catholic College Highfields QLD | Meringandan State School Meringandan West QLD |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 50 Top 50% | 53 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #131 of 275 | #290 of 804 |
| National rank (type) | #652 of 1,259 | #2475 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Catholic | Government |
| Type | Combined | Primary |
| Year range | Prep-12 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 1,047 | 260 |
| Girls / boys | 525 / 522 | 115 / 145 |
| Foundation intake | 63 | 38 |
| Year 7 cohort | 142 | – |
| Year 12 cohort | 63 | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +45% | +2% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1046 | 1018 |
| ICSEA percentile | 67th | 55th |
| Top SEA quarter | 20% | 13% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 16% | 24% |
| Students per teacher | 14.6 | 15.0 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 71.6 | 17.3 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 38.2 | 9.9 |
| Language background other than English | 7% | 2% |
| Indigenous students | 5% | 8% |
| Suburb | Highfields 4352 | Meringandan West 4352 |
| Council area | Toowoomba | Toowoomba |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | www.mmcc.catholic.edu.au/ | meringandanss.eq.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Meringandan State School scores higher on the Success Index (53.2 vs 50.2).
- •Mary MacKillop Catholic College has the higher ICSEA (1046 vs 1018), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Mary MacKillop Catholic College is the larger school with 1,047 students compared with 260.
- •Mary MacKillop Catholic College has grown faster over five years (45% vs 2%).
- •Mary MacKillop Catholic College is a catholic school while Meringandan State School is a government 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 Mary MacKillop Catholic College better than Meringandan State School?
On the Success Index, Meringandan State School ranks higher (53.2 vs 50.2 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 Mary MacKillop Catholic College and Meringandan State School?
About 4.4 km in a straight line, between Highfields and Meringandan West in Queensland.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Mary MacKillop Catholic College has 14.6 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Meringandan State School has 15.0.
How do Mary MacKillop Catholic College and Meringandan State School rank in QLD?
Mary MacKillop Catholic College is 131st of 275 and Meringandan State School is 290th of 804 among combined schools in Queensland on the 2025 Success Index.