Maryborough Special School vs St Mary's Primary School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Queensland, 1.9 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Maryborough Special School
Maryborough · Government special · Prep-12
75 students · ICSEA 946
St Mary's Primary School
Maryborough · Catholic primary · Prep-6
359 students · ICSEA 1005
| Measure | Maryborough Special School Maryborough QLD | St Mary's Primary School Maryborough QLD |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | – Not rated | 44 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | – | #422 of 804 |
| National rank (type) | – | #3161 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Special | Primary |
| Year range | Prep-12 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 75 | 359 |
| Girls / boys | 32 / 43 | 193 / 166 |
| Foundation intake | 5 | 48 |
| Year 7 cohort | 7 | – |
| Year 12 cohort | 4 | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -4% | +10% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 946 | 1005 |
| ICSEA percentile | 23th | 49th |
| Top SEA quarter | 8% | 10% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 51% | 24% |
| Students per teacher | 3.9 | 15.7 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 19.0 | 22.8 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 19.9 | 14.3 |
| Language background other than English | 5% | 6% |
| Indigenous students | 16% | 9% |
| Suburb | Maryborough 4650 | Maryborough 4650 |
| Council area | Fraser Coast | Fraser Coast |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | maryboroughspecs.eq.edu.au | www.smpmaryborough.qld.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Mary's Primary School has the higher ICSEA (1005 vs 946), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Maryborough Special School has fewer students per teacher (3.9 vs 15.7).
- •St Mary's Primary School is the larger school with 359 students compared with 75.
- •St Mary's Primary School has grown faster over five years (10% vs -4%).
- •Maryborough Special School is a government school while St Mary's 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.
Free academic assessment
Torn between two schools? Start with your child.
Whichever you choose, a free Success Tutoring assessment shows exactly where your child is in English and Maths and how to get ahead before the next school year.
- Personalised learning plan mapped to the Australian Curriculum
- English & Maths from Kindergarten to Year 12
- Flexible memberships, no lock-in contracts
- Your nearest centre: Success Tutoring North Lakes
Frequently asked questions
Is Maryborough Special School better than St Mary's Primary School?
The two schools are very close on the Success Index. Differences in sector, size, year range and distance from home will matter more than the score.
How far apart are Maryborough Special School and St Mary's Primary School?
About 1.9 km in a straight line, between Maryborough and Maryborough in Queensland.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Maryborough Special School has 3.9 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Mary's Primary School has 15.7.
How do Maryborough Special School and St Mary's Primary School rank in QLD?
Maryborough Special School is unranked and St Mary's Primary School is 422nd of 804 among special schools in Queensland on the 2025 Success Index.